11 December 2007
The corner of Paul Kruger and Brown Streets in the town of Nelspruit was a
hive of activity today as First National Bank (FNB) and Mbombela town officials
unveiled the cityâs 2010 First National Bank (FNB) Countdown Clock along with
the municipalityâs official 2010 logo.
The brightly displayed clock brought overwhelming pride to the town when it
was ceremoniously âswitched-onâ by Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla and FNB
Mpumalanga Regional Director: Public Sector Banking, Tsidi Lebenya.
Lebenya said she hoped the brightly coloured time-piece would be a symbolic
representation of the massive potential the event presented for the growth and
development of the region. "At FNB, we are confident that 2010 will be a huge
success. As an official supporter of the FIFA World Cup, we believe good
preparation and a positive attitude will contribute to our success in hosting
the event."
The FNB countdown clock will remind every resident and visitor to the town
of Nelspruit exactly how many days are left before South Africa hosts the
greatest sporting event on the planet. Added Makwetla: "The slogan ke nako"
must inspire us to work timeously to provide road infrastructure, health
amenities and disaster management capacity and that our Nelspruit CBD becomes a
crime free environ in preparation for a world class event. The countdown clock
must symbolically remind us that there is serious work going on in our hosting
cities."
Constructed from moulded fibreglass in the insignia FNB turquoise colour,
each five-metre tall countdown clock bears both the FNB and FIFA logos. Under a
digital display (in days) counting down to the 2010 kick-off, the clock bears
the bankâs 2010 tagline: âProudly helping South Africa shineâ. Another unique
physical feature of the clock is a three-dimensional soccer ball designed by
internationally renowned sporting experts Adidas. The digital messaging on the
clock can be programmed to communicate other appropriate 2010 FIFA world cup
messages.
Nelspruit soccer enthusiasts along with other FNB customers around the
country will be given the exclusive opportunity to win tickets to both the 2009
FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA world cup through a recently launched
customer competition to FNB customers. As the official national supporter of
the 2010 FIFA world cup through its US$30 million sponsorship of the event, FNB
is entitled to a package of rights and benefits that include access to
purchasable match tickets to both tournaments.
Through the 2010 FIFA world cup promotion that was unveiled by the bank
recently, FNB will be passing their sponsorship benefits to qualifying and
active FNB customers by including them in 12 exclusive lucky-draw opportunities
to win a pair of tickets to the continentâs most anticipated sporting event. As
the official bank of the Mpumalanga province, FNB has also partnered with the
government to promote heritage tourism and assist the regionâs SMMEs in setting
up and running successful tourism businesses in readiness for 2010.
"The clock is ticking, and this should serve as a catalyst for everyone in
the Mpumalanga community to focus and use every opportunity they have to
improve their lives through this event and beyond," added Lebenya.
FNB Countdown Clock milestones
FNB is erecting countdown clocks at 16 sites, including all ten world cup
host cities. FNB countdown clocks launched to date:
a. OR Tambo International Airport (domestic arrivals)
b. Durban International Airport (exterior parkade)
c. Cape Town International Airport (exit of airport precinct)
d. Port Elizabeth Airport (domestic arrivals)
e. Bloemfontein Airport (carport)
f. SAFA House
g. George
h. Rustenburg
i. East London
Key dates in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009
Date: 14-28 June 2009
Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
Date: 04 December 2009
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
Date: 11 June-11 July 2010
For more information contact:
Prevashni Ramsamy
Tel: 011 371 7854
Cell: 082 781 2006
Vanessa Baard
Tel: 011 548 2006
Cell: 083 331 8158
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
11 December 2007
