The City of Polokwane has made tremendous progress in its preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, says Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

“We are basically here to check that everything is in place, if there is concrete on the floor and how much, if there are enough bricks and how many, to check if you are on course, and if not, why,” said Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka, Monday.

The deputy president’s visit forms part of a programme of visits initiated to evaluate the level of preparations as South Africa has less than 780 days to go before the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.

The visits are part of The Presidency and the 2010 Inter Ministerial Committee’s (IMC’s) oversight tool, and it will be routine to monitor and evaluate progress, she said.

She praised the city for its planning and progress to date on the Peter Mokaba Stadium and the broad approach the city has taken in its preparations.

“I would like to thank the mayor and the province for the progress made. Clearly from the presentation you made, it shows that you have taken a broad approach,” she said.

The deputy president highlighted, however that one of the greatest challenges facing the city is its budget overrun of approximately R260 million.

Although it was not a unique problem, it was an issue that needed to be taken seriously by government.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka suggested that the Department of Public Works be brought on board to monitor if the service providers were providing the city with value for money.

The City of Polokwane established its very own 2010 FIFA World Cup Unit in July 2006 with a plan to address among others, integrated infrastructure development, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development, legacy and marketing and communication.

The province has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia in the development and marketing of tourism initiative “Limpopo-Zambezi Destination”.

The Peter Mokaba Stadium is due for completion by June 2009, and construction has been underway since March 2007 employing close to 1 000 people.

According to the Department of Sport and Recreation, the Peter Mokaba Stadium has a budgeted R907 million, with a projected direct, indirect and induced economic impact of R1.64 billion.

The stadium is also estimated to produce 14 800 annual jobs via direct or indirect impacts, with a further R170 million destined to impact on low-income households.

Source: BuaNews

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