G Oosthuizen: 2010 Role of Local Government Conference

24 May 2007

Greetings

I deputise for Minister Stofile, who is not able to be with you today. He
asked me to tender his apologies and assures you of his support! Recently when
Fifa President, Mr Sepp Blatter, spoke about the alternative host countries to
South Africa in the unlikely event that a natural disaster struck, some parts
of the world including segments of our own population started doubting our
preparedness to host the 2010 football showpiece.

Interestingly, this came only a few weeks after we walked the streets of the
world with pride, following Fifa's public declaration that South Africa is on
track. With a single utterance however, that pride was eroded. Although we can
see the dust billowing from various construction sites in our country, we
continuously allow ourselves to be told by dark forces within and beyond our
borders that we are not on track with preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Maybe it has not yet dawned upon us just how well oiled our 2010 machine is or
we are still caught up in dreamland hoping that all this 2010 excitement is
only a dream that will pass on waking up. You see, if it is a dream, then it is
a different dream - a dream that dictates to all of us, to lift a hand and
contribute to its realisation. As this dream ends in 2010, we should all wake
up feeling and seeing the change that we shall have made in the lives of
ordinary people.

As we look around, we should be able to see the legacy of our toil, the
fruits of the sweat that fell from the foreheads of African sons and daughters.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2010 dream cannot just be a South African dream, but
an African dream whose success is non-negotiable. It is therefore an open
African secret, that with the 2010 Fifa World Cup, failure is not an
option.

We cannot afford to fail when we have in a very sober state, made guarantees
regarding the obligations of government with respect to the 2010 tournament. We
are all aware that the Presidency even made a declaration to Fifa committing
all spheres of government to successfully fulfil all the 17 obligations, in
terms of the guarantees, we committed ourselves to achieve. We should therefore
ensure that through the various government departments and forums that we have,
we work towards nothing else other than success. While various departments have
themselves signed guarantees specific to their respective mandates, the need
for intergovernmental co-operation and co-ordination becomes vital.

Co-operation of structures within government extends to all its three
spheres. While provinces have not signed guarantees to Fifa, they still have a
supportive role to play especially in respect of provincial competencies such
as transport, health and sport and recreation. It is therefore imperative that
government departments at all spheres plan jointly and monitor progress.
Various forums such as the Premiers' Co-ordinating Councils could be utilised
to provide support to Host Cities by developing joint work programmes to ensure
implementation of the work of Host Cities. The bottom line here is that various
stakeholders have different obligations towards achieving a successful 2010
World Cup.

While there is no argument that the 2010 World Cup is an African event, one
cannot hope for it to reflect African solidarity if the South African
institutions themselves have not yet found each other in terms of co-operation
and information sharing.

It is in this vein that government established a 2010 World Cup Government
Unit to co-ordinate the work of various government departments to provide
dedicated resources for the 2010 work. The unit is also intended to provide
support to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on 2010 and its supporting
Technical Co-ordinating Committee (TCC) as well as to co-ordinate government's
interface with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Host Cities through
the Host Cities Forum.

On the communication side, government has established a 2010 National
Communication Partnership � now in its second year. This national Communication
Partnership brings together communicators from public and private sectors to
provide a national framework and vision to inform communication around the
hosting of 2010. The partnership is being led by the Government Communication
and Information System (GCIS) and the International Marketing Council
(IMC).

In view of its constitutional mandate to support local government, the
Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) complements the work of
the 2010 Government Unit by supporting and co-ordinating Host Cities'
endeavours in order to execute their obligations contained in the Host Cities
Agreement. Therefore the host municipalities are an anchor and integral part of
delivery for this mega project.

Providing the platform for further synergies in this respect, there is also
a Host City Forum that co-ordinates the work of Host Cities in relation to
National Government Departments and the LOC. The objective of this Forum in
addition to co-ordination is to also serve as an information sharing and common
problem solving forum among Host Cities. It is therefore expected that Host
Cities will utilise this Forum to clear bottlenecks that may stand in the path
of accelerated delivery. This forum is chaired by my colleague, the Minister of
Provincial and Local Government Mr Mufamadi. He is also a member of the LOC
Board.

Other relevant structures that could ensure better service delivery in terms
of the 2010 World Cup include the MinMec of Local Government and Sports and
Recreation and those of line functions departments. Through the MinMec forums,
planning can easily be co-ordinated between national and provincial or local
government spheres. These forums can also assist in removing blockages for the
work of the Host Cities.

Through South African Local Government Association (SALGA) which is a
statutory body to promote integration and planning at local level for
municipalities, we need to engage the non host municipalities to creatively
look at the benefits of legacy initiatives in these areas. Apart from
co-ordination and provision of resources, national government is working hard
to ensure that the Socio-Economic Legacy programme becomes a pillar of the
national strategy to deliver this project. In support, the Department of
Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) have to galvanise the required
commitment of resources and amendments of existing by�laws where necessary so
that the Host Cities can create a conducive environment for executing their
obligations.

Overall, various other stakeholders such as the LOC, Fifa, the African Union
(AU) and the private sector, have a very important role to play in delivering a
successful 2010 Fifa World Cup. For example, while each structure of the Local
Organising Committee has to reinforce Socio-Economic Legacy objectives, Fifa
sees the delivery of a successful World Cup as its primary goal. Therefore, the
regular monitoring and evaluation of our preparation at Host City level by Fifa
should not come as a surprise.

At the continental level, the African Union is focused on building
solidarity and is a partner in the continental delivery of a legacy programme.
Regionally the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has programmes
intended to foster regional co-operation and co-ordination. All these efforts
have an impact on the successful hosting of the African World Cup and have to
be supported in the best way we can.

We also expect the private sector to support efforts by the emerging
businesses to access the benefits of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Through
partnerships, these emerging businesses will be able to access benefits that
they would have otherwise not been able to access. We should therefore make it
our business to encourage the private sector to invest in efforts of emerging
businesses even outside the major 2010 projects.

In terms of readiness, our Host Cities have to make sure that as the dust
billows from various construction sites; such dust does not grow bigger with
time. It should instead subside and in its place, be structures that say, we
are definitely on track. Our Host Cities should even before anybody comes to
tell them that they are lagging behind, be able to monitor and evaluate their
progress themselves and take corrective action.

We have already heard dissenting voices criticising efforts to realign
police structures ahead of 2010. This is despite the same dissenting voices,
being quick to criticise the country for failing to curb crime. South Africa
cannot wait for 2010 to confirm some of its challenges before taking
action.

A Security Plan has, as you may be aware, been developed, enabling the South
African Police Service (SAPS) and other security agencies to work hard and
focused, on matters of safety and security. If that means some re-alignment for
the good of our country, the continent, and the world, then it should
happen.

With its facilities such as Sentech, Telkom and the SABC, the Department of
Communications is focusing on meeting Fifa's requirements in Information
Communication Technology (ICT), satellite and fibre optic facilities and
telecommunications infrastructure. Progress in this regard has been reported
and like all the other projects, we will continue monitoring further
progress.

While the world may want to come to our shores in 2010, if we do not process
entry and departure according to international standards, the world will be
discouraged to consider visiting, even in future. It is therefore heartening to
note that Home Affairs with such utilities as the Airports Company, the Ports
Authority and Roads Agency are attending to the upgrading of ports of entry for
all modes of travel. These services, as with health, involve ongoing
consultations with neighbouring countries, the African continent and Fifa.

In terms of hospitality and accommodation, I believe you are aware that Fifa
has agreed for the first time in the history of this event to accredit and use
non hotel accommodation for the World Cup. This opens up opportunities for
non-hotel businesses small, medium micro enterprises (SMMEs) to also benefit
from the World Cup while also confirming to the world that South Africa is
worth being visited once more after the tournament.

Reports of bed and breakfast establishments being graded highly in the
Western Cape townships have already received vast media coverage and I have no
doubt that by the grading closing date of December 2009, our people shall have
risen to the occasion and claimed their stake in the tourism industry. The role
of an effective transportation system cannot be wished away, whether hosting or
not hosting a world cup.

While it is expected that the Gautrain will be delivered on time to assist
the Gauteng Host Cities, it is upon us to ensure that we do not pin our hopes
on a single project. It is therefore important that as we implement the various
project plans around 2010, we keep in mind the relationship that such projects
should have with the transportation infrastructure in terms of the 2010
Transport Action Plan.

One of the cornerstones of the 2010 Fifa World Cup is to get, a lasting
legacy for South Africa and the rest of the continent. It is therefore by no
accident that the Heads of State in their recent Summit held in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, reiterated their commitment in support of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Government has therefore put together structures and plans, to ensure that its
investment into the world Cup benefits the large majority of our people.

It should be borne in mind that by the nature of some of the work that has
to be undertaken, it will not always be easy to identify opportunities for
small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and disadvantaged communities. It is
therefore important that big businesses be encouraged to partner with those
that are emerging. In this way, we will be contributing positively towards a
skills pool in our country. As we implement the By-Laws 2010 programme, we
should keep in mind the need to consult with affected parties. Through these
by-laws, our street traders may find themselves restricted to certain areas
which may to them, seem like being located far from the action. This poses a
challenge that Host Cities should start working on today.

This is if they do not want to alienate the very same people who supported
them when they went out to campaign for hosting rights. Coupled to the issue of
by-laws, is the need to inform communities about the dos and don'ts relating to
the usage of Fifa trademarks.

While the legacy is being looked at to fit into a wider national and
continental agenda for social and economic development, where amongst others it
could reduce poverty and unemployment, the sustainability of some of the
achievements that come with the tournament will need creativity on our part.
One of the key challenges is to ensure that stadiums are utilised post 2010
especially in areas such as Mpumalanga, where there is no Premier Soccer League
(PSL) team.

Where the stadiums are utilised, one expects proper management that will
ensure access by the sport sector but still be able to keep the stadium in a
good working condition. The management of stadiums cannot be left to the
security officials whose key role should actually be on the security of the
facility. A properly trained person should therefore be appointed to ensure
that apart from co-ordinating usage and care of the facility, it can also
sustain itself. We need to strengthen the collaboration of sports departments
in provinces and municipalities to ensure a lasting legacy of 2010
projects.

Previous experiences elsewhere have taught us that while there may be a risk
of creating for example, white elephants due to poor planning and further
compounding social inequalities through high ticket prices and access to
broadcasts, the hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup comes with some positives
that could benefit both South Africa and the rest of the African Continent. It
should be mentioned that making the 2010 Fifa World Cup a real African
tournament, various institutions/organisations such as the African Union
Commission; the private sector; SADC; non-governmental organisation (NGOs); the
local government structures and citizens in general, will have to believe in
the socio economic legacy and work towards achieving it in terms of, amongst
others, commitment of resources and revision of legislation where
necessary.

The envisaged benefits of the 2010 Fifa World Cup include amongst others,
the increased participation in and support of football by corporate sponsors;
acquisition of critical skills in industries such as broadcasting, construction
and event management, through direct employment or volunteering. The World Cup
will also provide an economic boost with a long-term impact on investment and
trade, tourism, sports hosting and other aspects of the economy; it will
provide improved infrastructure. As an African World Cup, the tournament will
also uplift African pride and solidarity. With these as only a tip of the
benefits iceberg that the World Cup may bring to our people, we cannot as the
hosts, afford to falter.

As we gather here today, we cannot afford to ignore the need to have the
2010 Fifa World Cup as a tournament. This is a tournament that has to promote
the African agenda and be consistent with our history, circumstances and
culture. For this to happen, all our efforts towards a successful 2010 Fifa
World Cup, must be people owned and people driven.

This African World Cup belongs to the sons and daughters of Africa. It
belongs to them, irrespective of the tier of government or the socio-economic
environment they find themselves in. Let us therefore pull together as Africa,
and make it happen, it must happen.

Afrika ke Nako: Africa's time has come!

I thank you.

Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
24 May 2007