will unveil 2010 host cities posters in Mangaung
26 January 2009
Chairperson of the 2010 Soccer World Cup Host Cities Forum, Minister Sicelo
Shiceka, will launch the Host Cities' Poster campaign for the 2009
Confederations Cup and the 2010 Soccer World Cup games at the Mangaung outdoor
sports centre in Bloemfontein this afternoon.
With about 500 days left before the kick off of the FIFA World Cup, and only
138 days left to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the poster launch forms part
of the country's celebrations to mark these critical milestone on South
Africa's five year journey to prepare the country to successfully host the
world's biggest sporting spectacular, the FIFA Soccer World Cup in June
2010.
"It is indeed a historic moment and a major milestone towards the
realisation of a dream" Minister Shiceka has said.
In a speech to be delivered to the soccer fraternity, mayors and councillors
of the host cities, premiers, leadership of the local organising committee and
FIFA representatives, the minister will highlight:
1) the significance of hosting the biggest global sporting event in South
Africa and the continent
2) the benefits of hosting the games for the South African citizenry, with some
of those being the fact that:
- the South African government has committed to spend about R5 billion in the
building and renovation of 10 World Cup stadia, R2,5 billion on upgrades to the
countryâs airports and R3,5 billion on improvements on the countryâs roads and
railway networks.
-it is expected that this spectacular event will generate about R21,1 billion
for the South African economy; R12,7 billion in direct spending and will create
about 159 000 jobs.
3) the marketing and communications objectives behind developing and launching
the host city posters, which will also be used to promote the 2010 FIFA world
cup in all nine host cities.
In his call for support and reassertion to all Africans, Minister Shiceka
said that hosting the 2010 FIFA soccer world cup should not be for the soccer
fraternity nor the government alone but for a South African collective and
Africa as a whole.
The posters will be used for outdoor media - posters, billboards, and
signage for indoor decoration. Minister Shiceka says in his speech that the
posters are being unveiled to showcase the host cities' face and their brand to
South Africans, the continent and the global community. These posters will also
assist government in providing information to different communities with
specific content attached to that particular area. With the many
situations that the world and South Africa in particular is faced with the
minister said, "It is government's view that there must be deliberate efforts
to reach out to many of our people in particular those who are indigent to
ensure that they get an opportunity to watch FIFA soccer events" hence the
launch of the host cities posters.
The launch will take part this afternoon as part of the events taking place
in Mangaung to mark 500 days left to the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
For interviews with the minister, please call:
Ms Vuyelwa Qinga Vika
Tel: 012 334 0995
Fax: 012 326 4478
Cell: 082 877 3898
E-mail: VuyelwaQ@dplg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
26 January 2009
Source: Department of Provincial and Local Government (http://www.dplg.gov.za/)
