Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has once again re-assured the international community that South Africa is ready to host the World Cup.
Mokonyane was addressing the Foreign Correspondents’ Association in Melrose on Tuesday.
Asked about the pressures of hosting the bulk of World Cup teams in the province, Mokonyane said they saw this as an opportunity to showcase the potential of Gauteng to host major events.
“We have used this opportunity of hosting the World Cup to improve infrastructure and create a lasting legacy for our people,” she said.
Mokonyane also said she was confident that in the next few months, traffic on Gauteng roads would flow more freely without congestion and the inconvenience than it was currently being encountered.
She warned those who thought South Africa was a soft spot for their criminal activities.
“We are vigilant and have zero tolerance for human trafficking and drug peddling crimes. Those that think South Africa is a soft and easy to infiltrate in this regard better think twice.
“As government we have done everything to ensure that fans, players, officials, organisers, sponsors and everybody else who will be part of World Cup are able to stay and move freely and safely within Gauteng,” she said.
In addition, she said the provincial government has launched the Gauteng Gateway 2010 Campaign aimed at mobilising the people of Gauteng to take ownership of the event and ensure that visitors have a memorable stay in the province.
Arrangements have been made to ensure that residents who cannot afford to go to stadiums do not miss this historic event. Gauteng has two FIFA approved fan fests (parks) and eleven public viewing areas, spread across the province.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
23 March 2010
Source: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government (www.gautengonline.gov.za/)
