South Africa: Cabinet Out to Ensure 2010 Stadiums are Built

14 December 2006

Fourteen Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Minister have been appointed to monitor the construction and upgrading of 10 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa stadia.

The decision formed part of the government's efforts to ensure that the stadia for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa were well-constructed on time to meet FIFA requirements.

The Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers are: Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi will be responsible for Peter Mokaba stadium in Limpopo; Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi will focus on the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in North-West.

Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhenkisi Stofile and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe will monitor progress on the construction of Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit, in Mpumalanga.

Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri will monitor the refurbishment of Mangaung stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State.

Public Works and Safety and Security Ministers Thoko Didiza and Charles Nqakula will supervise the progress in the renovation Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

The Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria will be under watchful eyes of Deputy Ministers of Sport and Recreation and Public Works Gert Oosthuizen and Ntopile Kganyago, respectively.

The improvement of the Ellis Park will be closely supervised by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

The construction of the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth will be monitored by Minister Stofile and Deputy Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie.

The construction of King Senzangakhona stadium in Durban will be monitored by Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba.

Minister Pahad and Deputy Minister Moleketi are to take care of the Green Point stadium in Cape Town.

The Department of Sports and Recreation said in a statement that the duty of the ministers will be to monitor the progress in the construction of the stadia to make sure deadlines and specifications are met.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Irvin Khoza on Wednesday praised the government for showing consistency in its support for the work done by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

"The government has supported LOC from 15 May 2004 when South Africa was awarded the right to host the world soccer spectacle," Dr. Khoza said.

The government, he said, had shown positive attitude in that Cabinet ministers have accompanied members of the LOC to attend various meetings since 15 may 2006.

While the majority of South Africans welcome the construction of the stadia which will create jobs for unemployed, a group of people in Cape Town is opposing the reconstruction of the R2, 5 billion Green Point stadium.

This is because the reconstruction of the stadium will affect the existing golf course.

Their objection has been forwarded to the MEC for Environmental Affairs Tasneem Essop, who will respond on December 22.

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