Madibeng to use public viewing spaces for 2010

Madibeng in the Limpopo Province plans to use various public viewing areas during the 2010 FIFA World Cup

The Madibeng municipality has announced plans to make use of various public viewing spaces during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, so that soccer fans can watch matches without having to buy stadium tickets.

The reason behind this decision is that only one fan park has been approved in Rustenburg for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

"Initially we wanted to have a fan park in the Hartbeespoort dam but it was not approved. We will, however, be using public viewing with big television screens for our soccer fans to feel the world cup atmosphere," said the Executive Mayor of Madibeng, Fande Molokoane.

Fan parks and public viewing areas will play an integral role during the World Cup since tickets are limited.

Although Madibeng is not a host city, the mayor said the municipality was willing to support host cities nearby such as Pretoria, Rustenburg and Johannesburg.

Rustenburg is an official 2010 host city, and will showcase matches at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. The city will also host the Confederations Cup in 2009.

Madibeng and Rustenburg fall under the Bojanala Platinum District with three other local municipalities.

Ms Molokoane said the municipality had also formed a 2010 technical committee to ensure its contribution to a successful World Cup.

To ensure the municipality develops sport in the area as one of the local legacy the event will leave, she has partnered with some of the top Premier Soccer League (PSL) stars who were born in Madibeng.

The mayor will be working Bafana Bafana striker Katleho Mphela and top PSL star, Lovers Mohlala, among others.

"As people from Madibeng, they want to contribute to the development of soccer clubs and the nurturing of talent," she said.

With regards to tourism in the area, Mmakau was recently awarded national heritage status.

The area was recently discovered as having been a home to BaTswana people about 350 years ago. Traces of houses built in rocks, cattle kraals, grave yards, food storage, fire places are still visible.

Project manager, James Macheko told BuaNews the heritage site would soon be open to the public.

"It was meant to be opened during this year's national heritage celebrations on 24 September but we were not able to meet the deadline," he said.

He also indicated upon completion of the project, the site would be managed by an established trust.

(Information sourced from BuaNews on 20 September 2007)

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