TOP JOBURG TEAM VISITS GERMANY TO STUDY WORLD CUP PLANNING Wednesday, 21 June The City of Johannesburg, City Manager, Mr Mavela Dlamini and the Executive Director for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Ms Sibongile Mazibuko have left for Germany to attend an Observer Programme which started on the 16th of June 2006 until the 25th of June 2006 as per the FIFA Soccer World Cup Bid Book requirement. The FIFA Soccer World Cup Bid Book requires Host Cities to attend two Germany Programmes; the first Programme will expose cities to the logistics that go along with an event of this nature. The visit to German host cities, including Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt will provide the City's leaders with valuable insights into the enormous logistical challenges associated with the greatest global event. An estimated 1 000 000 foreign visitors are currently in Germany and the expectation is that this number will be exceeded in 2010. Johannesburg's Executive Mayor, Clr Amos Masondo, the Speaker of Council, Clr Nkele Ntingane and other Council leadership will visit Germany in about two weeks time to attend the Second Programme. The Second Programme is the unveiling of the Emblem, which will take place on the 9th 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 Programmes are a contractual responsibility in terms of the FIFA Soccer World Cup Bid Book. 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. "We find ourselves in the enviable position of providing two venues for the 2010 campaign," says Mr Dlamini. "But this also means an added burden on the City's infrastructure – double the number of visitors, double the size of traffic, double the logistics – compared to the other South African host cities." "We will be looking at all aspects of the organisation of such an event including transport, roads, power, water, sanitation and refuse removal," says Mr Dlamini. "This will enable us to evaluate our existing services and to engage the private sector and the hospitality industry in our preparations." Mr Dlamini says Johannesburg is "on track and on target" with regards to its state of readiness for 2010. "We have met with Mr Sepp Blatter and other FIFA delegations and they have expressed their satisfaction with our current preparations and future plans." 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. "We will ensure that their first impressions of South Africa will be favourable and lasting," says Mr Dlamini. ENDS Issued by: the City of Johannesburg Enquiries: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za