3 October 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Cabinet has directed government officials to work out an
exciting programme in preparation for the Fifa Football World Cup Preliminary
Draw â the first of its kind to be held on the African continent. The draw will
take place in Durban's International Convention Centre (ICC) on 25 November
this year.
The Cabinet received a report on the preparations for the draw from the
Political Oversight Committee on 2010. The draw is expected to attract
delegates from over 100 countries and a large international media contingent.
The actual draw will be beamed to millions of people world-wide.
"Lets work out an exciting programme as a province," Premier Sibusiso
Ndebele said after the Cabinet approved spending R8 million on the project.
Soccer lovers would be treated to a derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando
Pirates at Absa Stadium the day before the draw.
The Cabinet also received a report on the state of preparedness for the
Presidential Imbizo due to take place at the weekend in Ladysmith.
The Cabinet also deliberated on the relations between provincial government
and King Zwelithini and resolved to send a delegation to meet with the King as
soon as possible.
On service delivery, the Cabinet decided to fill in all existing senior
positions in government as delays in appointing, particularly Heads of
Departments, impacted negatively on service delivery.
The Cabinet received reports on natural disasters and fires from the
Departments of Local Government and Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. It
was reported that the provincial government would soon approach National
Treasury to request for R200 million to address the devastation left behind by
the recent veld fires in the province.
On the drought, the Cabinet was told that recent rains have brought some
relief to certain areas although large areas in Zululand, Uthungulu, Umzinyathi
and Ugu were still hard-hit by the drought.
The Cabinet also noted with pleasure the outstanding performance of Team
KwaZulu-Natal in the recent games in Bloemfontein where the provincial team
collected a total of 136 medals, 53 of which were gold, 49 silver and 34
bronze.
Contact:
Mandla Msomi
Cell: 082 317 3727 / 072 671 0775
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
3 October 2007
