BuaNews (Tshwane)
David Masango
28 August 2007
Johannesburg — A delegation from Gauteng has been invited to visit the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, to allow the European province to share its experiences in hosting Fifa World Cup matches.
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and visiting Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, Günther Oettinger and their delegations met Tuesday in Johannesburg to identify areas in which they could cooperate. During the meeting, the Mr Oettinger invited Mr Shilowa and a delegation of officials from Gauteng and business people to Baden-Württemberg and Stuttgart to share knowledge regarding the world cup.
South Africa will host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, after Germany hosted a successful 2006 World Cup, during which they showcased the event as a time to make friends. Spokesperson for the Premier Simon Zwane told BuaNews that during Tuesday's meeting much focus was put on how the Germans could share their expertise and experience in hosting big events, particularly the biggest soccer tournament.
"The Germans invited the Premier over to share with our province their experiences, including looking at issues of security, how they promoted tourism and the use of technology, amongst others," explained Mr Zwane. South Africa is pitching the 2010 tournament as the opportunity of a lifetime to change negative perceptions about the continent, build long-lasting infrastructure through Legacy Projects, and to benefit the entire continent.
Mr Günther Oettinger is on a week-long official visit aimed at strengthening existing bilateral ties with South Africa and to look into the preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
He met with South Africa's Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in Pretoria Monday.
Following that meeting he committed to encourage more German companies to get involved in projects that would ensure South Africa hosted a successful Fifa 2010 World Cup.
Mr Zwane added that other areas with a potential for cooperation between the two provinces include the vehicle and vehicle component manufacturing industry, and the film industry.
He explained however, that the meeting was not intended to reach any formal agreements but to rather explore areas of possible cooperation.
More work would need to be done and further meetings would be held to draw up concrete plans.
"Premier Shilowa explained that the officials of the Gauteng province would put down a concrete plan on cooperation with [the province of Baden-Württemberg]," he told BuaNews.
Members of the German chamber of business also expressed their eagerness to host a business seminar with Premier Shilowa and a provincial business delegation in Baden-Württemberg, to identify ways to cooperate in trade and investment.
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