Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ministers present
Honourable MECs
Mayor of eThekwini municipality, Mr Obed Mlaba
Members of the diplomatic corps
Chairperson of the South African Tourism Board, Mr Jabu Mabuza
Special guests, Mr Jerome Valcke, Mr Danny Jordaan and Mr Lucas Radebe
Distinguished guests
It gives me great pleasure to meet with tourism executives when we have just a month to go before the kick off to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
Our visitors have no doubt already experienced the positive vibe and energy in the country.
Earlier today we marked the official opening of the King Shaka International Airport. Just last month we hosted the official opening of the OR Tambo International Airport. I am sure that many of you here today have experienced the efficiency and excellence of these new institutions. You would have noticed also that the stadiums are ready; the host cities are ready. South Africa is ready.
The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place and that picture is of a memorable and successful world cup. That is why we are so proud ladies and gentlemen to say to you: Welcome to South Africa. The Tourism Indaba has for the past 20 years showcased our country's natural beauty, its friendly people and our modern nation.
It has ensured that we maintain the standards set by the global tourism industry. This indaba has ensured that this year we will break the 10 million mark for tourist arrivals. And I have no doubt that this event will continue to play a role in promoting tourism long after 2010.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Scores of tourists are expected to descend on our country over the next few weeks. Needless to say this occurs during the tourism low season when we usually host fewer visitors. This expected influx has led to an upgrading of facilities and skills in the tourism industry that will remain with us long after the world cup.
It is estimated that over 3,6 million additional job opportunities will be created during the world cup. This is a welcome boost for the industry and for many South Africans. However, it is not only tourism that will receive a lasting legacy as a result of the world cup.
The world cup has not only revitalised our economy, but also given impetus to infrastructural development and job creation. That has changed the face of this country. Of particular importance to millions of South Africans and also to visitors to our country is the revitalisation of our public transport network.
Over 9,6 billion dollars has been spent on changing the road infrastructure. The R21 between OR Tambo Airport and Pretoria and the N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria are among the many roads that have been improved. Their upgrade will be appreciated long after the world cup has ended.
Our Taxi Recapitalisation programme has allocated $1 billion towards the replacement of old taxis with new. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has rolled out in most major cities. The Rea Vaya bus service which operates between Johannesburg and Soweto currently carries 20 000 people per day. It is this legacy that impacts upon the lives of the poorest of the poor that is most meaningful to us.
Apartheid spatial planning has meant that many of our people live far from their places of work. By 2020 we will have more than 85 percent of any city's population living within a kilometre or closer to an integrated rapid public transport network feeder or corridor. The world cup has indeed placed us on the high road.
Distinguished guests, tourism executives,
The five brand new stadiums are the crown jewels of our world cup. Together with our other five refurbished venues, they glitter across our landscape, a permanent legacy of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. I must confess that the Moses Mabhida stadium is one of my firm favourites. I have no doubt that the stadium will win a place in the hearts of soccer fans across the globe. These stadiums have created thousands of temporary and permanent jobs.
Our communities across the country now have world class facilities within easy access. I am sure that they will be fully exploited for economic and sporting opportunities in the aftermath of the tournament.
In addition to this, 52 football pitches have been planned in communities across South Africa, as well as another 52 around the African continent.
These will serve as hubs for sport and community development and take the promotion of football to another level. 44 stadiums have already been constructed in Africa, while another nine have been completed in South Africa.
The Football for Hope campaign will see 20 centres of education, public health and football are being built across Africa. Five of these centres are being constructed in South Africa and the first of the 20 is being built in Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Five other centres on the continent are currently in construction in Rwanda, Ghana, Mali, Kenya and Namibia.
These centres will use sport, especially football, to educate young people about HIV and AIDS and give them the knowledge to live HIV free. This is indeed a legacy we can be proud of. On 6 October last year I was proud to be a part of the launch of the 1GOAL campaign. This campaign will ensure that education for all is a lasting impact of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Today 72 million children are not able to go to school. Using the universal power of football, the campaign will lobby governments across the world to ensure that all children receive an education.
Esteemed tourism executives, ladies and gentlemen,
Our country is about to come under the microscope and scrutiny. We experienced this during the run up to our first democratic elections when the world looked on in nervous anticipation. During that time, we planned, we mobilised our resources and we understood the possible challenges. We worked hard and delivered what most people call a miracle.
When we were awarded the opportunity to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a first ever for Africa, we again understood that the world will be assessing our capability. We also understood that our delivery will impact on how the world perceives Africa. We are geared up to demonstrate to all that we will deliver the best soccer world cup ever. But a soccer game is only 90 minutes; the major part of our visitors' time will be spent in your hands.
I am aware that South African Tourism and the International Marketing Council (IMC) have been hard at work to mobilise all South Africans to deliver a memorable event by being good hosts and rallying behind Bafana-Bafana. We are confident that each one of you will also add your bit to ensure that fans get to us in their mega numbers and when we receive our visitors in our land, we guarantee a memorable experience. This gives us the best opportunity to demonstrate our ability and thereby strengthen our global competitiveness.
Fly the flag with pride
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will forever change the world's perception of South Africa. It is in our hands to make this the best world cup ever. It is in our hands to unite our country, our continent and the world in a football feast. It is in our hands to recast our country as a nation of peace, a place of prosperity and a mainstay of progress on the African continent.
Let us join hands and work together for a successful 2010 World Cup.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
8 May 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)
