Johannesburg executive director: 2010, Sibongile Mazibuko, says Ellis Park and Soccer City are now 50 percent and 40 percent complete, respectively, while significant progress has been made at Orlando, Rand and Dobsonville Stadiums, training venues during the two global events and all ahead of schedule.
Ellis Park is undergoing minor refurbishments worth R221-million, while Soccer City, which will host the opening ceremony and game of the 2010 World Cup as well as final match and closing ceremony, is undergoing a R2.1-billion complete overhaul that will increase its capacity to about 95 000.
Meanwhile, Mazibuko says the initial phase of the Rea Vaya Bus Transit project has been concluded and that its Disaster Management Centre is now operational.Mazibuko says Rea Vaya, particularly, underlines the metropolitan city’s readiness to host the Confederations Cup that is scheduled for next year.
The project is aimed at enhancing the city capacity to offer adequate transport to hundreds of thousands of fans expected in the city to witness the two major football tournaments.
“Rea Vaya BRT Phase 1 has been completed and is ready for the Confederations Cup in 2009,” she confirms.
Mazibuko is confident the city, which launched Joburg United, an initiative that seeks to drum up support from Johannesburg citizens ahead of the events, will host a memorable World Cup.
Among other initiatives that the city leaders are involved in include the Adopt-a-Fan project as a way to make 500 000 football fans feel at home in Jozi during the 2010 global showpiece, as well as contracting accommodation for the event.
Johannesburg will play a key role in the 2010 World Cup.
Apart from hosting the opening and final matches of the historic tournament as well as a number of matches in the initial group stages of the tournament, it also will host the International Broadcasting Centre.
It is forecasted that more than half-a-million fans will visit the City of Gold during the first World Cup to be held on African soil.
