What a difference a week can make. Following last week's reports of squabbling
among the local organisers of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, several developments
over the past few days have highlighted a marked improvement in communication
between the government, the various 2010 role-players and, of course,
the South African public.
The Fifa and Local Organising Committee's latest stadium inspection tour
came at an important time, and has helped to put this country's progress
- particularly with regards to the various stadium construction projects
- in perspective.
The concensus is that most projects are on target, and members of the
delegation noted how impressed they were with the effort that was being
made, as well as by the level of detail.
There was also some good news on the security front. Airports Company
South Africa has announced that better IT and a dedicated baggage security
team have cut baggage pilferage 44% since December.
South African airports, in particular Johannesburg's OR Tambo International
Airport, were becoming notorious for baggage theft, and it was an issue
that needed urgent attention in the build-up to 2010.
On the accommodation front, the government confirmed that more than 22
000 rooms have been contracted for the tournament so far - including 157
rooms in neighbouring Botswana and 329 rooms in Swaziland.
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said
his department has set itself a target of 10 000 non-hotel rooms to be
signed up by May, and that "all indications are that these targets
will be exceeded".
In addition, the Department of Communication has responded to media reports
criticising the finalisation of a policy framework for the digitisation
of broadcasting in South Africa, assuring the public that everything is
on target. The process of migrating to digital broadcasting is being spurred
on mostly by the World Cup.
Next year's Confederations Cup - the 2010 curtain-raiser - is looming,
and pressure is mounting on the various role-players to meet their deadlines.
But if the developments of the past week are anything to go by, Team South
Africa remains on course with its 2010 preparations.
,
29 February 2008
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