5 July 2006 STATEMENT ON TOP JOBURG TEAM VISIT GERMANY TO STUDY WORLD CUP PLANNING Johannesburg's Executive Mayor, Clr Amos Masondo, the Speaker of Council, Clr Nkele Ntingane, other Council leadership as well as the City Manager Mavela Dlamini and the Executive Director for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Ms Sibongile Mazibuko have left for Germany to attend the Second Programme as per the FIFA Soccer World Cup Bid Book requirement. The Second Programme is the unveiling of the Emblem, which will take place on the 09th of July 2006; the Council leadership is required to attend the event in order to exhibit the City's capacity to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. The Executive Mayor has been officially invited by FIFA to attend the Second Programme. Both First and Second Programmes are contractual responsibility in terms of the FIFA Soccer World Cup Bid Book. The former was an observer programme meant to expose cities to the logistics that go along with an event of that nature, it took place from the 16th of June 2006 and ended on the 25th of June 2006. Johannesburg will be the primary host City of the 2010 World Cup and the only City in the country with two venues where matches will be played namely Ellis Park and FNB Stadium/Soccer City. The final match of the 2010 competition will probably be decided in this City. A special coordinating committee was established in the Office of the Executive Mayor working closely with the Local Organising Committee and FIFA. The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup will provide Johannesburg with a unique opportunity to market itself as a World Class African City. We intend to use the pressure that is being created by the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup to strengthen and deepen our own municipal programmes. They range from ensuring a green City to programmes that seek to ensure a greater and better urban management. Ends For more information please contact Nkhensani Makhobela Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor City of Johannesburg Telephone: 011 407-7524 Facsimile: 011 339-5704 Cell: 082 461-7075 e-mail: nkhensanima@joburg.org.za