Tshwane - Hundreds of South Africans came to the nation's capital to celebrate the major milestone of 1000 days ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Although the 1000th day fell on Friday, 14 September, national celebrations from the Union Buildings and the other eight host cities, were held on Saturday.
Young and old braved the scorching heat in Tshwane to mark the event, with many having been bussed in from the greater metro area.
Speaking in an interview with SABC Sport, Tshwane's Executive Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa said the metro was ready for the 2010 World Cup, emphasising that preparations of the tournament were on schedule.
The mayor said tourism was going to be central in ensuring that residents benefit from the soccer fest.
"We are looking at accrediting bed and breakfast in the townships," she added.
After taking care of 323 000 guests at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, the world football governing body is again looking to provide hospitality of the highest calibre at the subsequent competitions.
As such, FIFA has invited interested parties with the necessary international event experience to participate in FIFA's public tender for the sale, management and production of the FIFA Hospitality Programme.
FIFA's invitation to tender concerns two separate tender packages, the Tender A Package and the Tender B Package containing the following FIFA Events:
Tender A Package:
* 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
* FIFA Confederations Cup 2009
* FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
Tender B Package:
* 2014 FIFA World Cup
* FIFA Confederations Cup 2013
The interested parties are invited to submit offers for one or both Tender Packages in its entirety.The tender runs from 31 August to 1 October 2007.
The FIFA Hospitality Programme offers guests a range of services, such as match tickets, facilities (stadium suites and lounges, marquee tents), catering, parking, transportation, entertainment, gifts, accommodation and tourism.
The FIFA Hospitality Programme comprises the following three areas: the FIFA Commercial Hospitality Programme, which caters to the general public; the FIFA Affiliates Hospitality Programme, which is reserved for FIFA's Affiliates; and the FIFA/LOC VIP Hospitality Programme for guests of FIFA and the host country's Local Organising Committee.
Interested parties can find further information regarding the tender by downloading the Information and Procedure letter from www.FIFA.com/hospitality, or by sending a request by email to hospitality-tender@fifa.org or by fax to +41(0)43 222 7878.
Smangaliso Mthimunye, a local fan said he was very optimistic adding that the world had no reason to worry about South Africa's ability to host the tournament.
"I feel very proud to be a South African. We have come a long way as the country and we are honoured to be the host of the world cup.
"It will be a wonderful world cup, it will be the best ever and we will show the world that we Africans have ubuntu" he said.
Mr Mthimunye from Temba in Hammanskraal said South Africa was ready to host the 2010 world cup and to welcome the world.
His optimism is echoed by Sylvia Assig, a citizen of the 2006 FIFA World Cup host, Germany.
Ms Assig from Berlin, where the 2006 FIFA World Cup final game was played, told BuaNews she was impressed with the speed at which South Africa was organising the 2010 World Cup.
"There is still a lot to be done on infrastructure but South Africa is doing things quickly and this will ensure that the country is ready by 2010. The world cup takes more than the celebrations, it involves intense planning but at the end it work for South Africa," she said.
Tshwane resident Nomaxisibe Magwebu said she could not wait for the countdown to come down to only a day.
"All the people involved in the world cup are working tirelessly to ensure it becomes a success. I believe we are going to set greater standards come 2010.
"I don't think crime will stop it as government is also working to fight crime," she said.
Thirteen-year-old Brian Bostander from Eersterus, east of Pretoria is aware he cannot be part of the Bafana Bafana team in 2010, but dreams to play for the national team one day.
"My only wish is to be on the stadium to watch South Africa play," he said. -
Although the 1000th day fell on Friday, 14 September, national celebrations from the Union Buildings and the other eight host cities, were held on Saturday.
Young and old braved the scorching heat in Tshwane to mark the event, with many having been bussed in from the greater metro area.
Speaking in an interview with SABC Sport, Tshwane's Executive Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa said the metro was ready for the 2010 World Cup, emphasising that preparations of the tournament were on schedule.
The mayor said tourism was going to be central in ensuring that residents benefit from the soccer fest.
"We are looking at accrediting bed and breakfast in the townships," she added.
After taking care of 323 000 guests at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, the world football governing body is again looking to provide hospitality of the highest calibre at the subsequent competitions.
As such, FIFA has invited interested parties with the necessary international event experience to participate in FIFA's public tender for the sale, management and production of the FIFA Hospitality Programme.
FIFA's invitation to tender concerns two separate tender packages, the Tender A Package and the Tender B Package containing the following FIFA Events:
Tender A Package:
* 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
* FIFA Confederations Cup 2009
* FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
Tender B Package:
* 2014 FIFA World Cup
* FIFA Confederations Cup 2013
The interested parties are invited to submit offers for one or both Tender Packages in its entirety.The tender runs from 31 August to 1 October 2007.
The FIFA Hospitality Programme offers guests a range of services, such as match tickets, facilities (stadium suites and lounges, marquee tents), catering, parking, transportation, entertainment, gifts, accommodation and tourism.
The FIFA Hospitality Programme comprises the following three areas: the FIFA Commercial Hospitality Programme, which caters to the general public; the FIFA Affiliates Hospitality Programme, which is reserved for FIFA's Affiliates; and the FIFA/LOC VIP Hospitality Programme for guests of FIFA and the host country's Local Organising Committee.
Interested parties can find further information regarding the tender by downloading the Information and Procedure letter from www.FIFA.com/hospitality, or by sending a request by email to hospitality-tender@fifa.org or by fax to +41(0)43 222 7878.
Smangaliso Mthimunye, a local fan said he was very optimistic adding that the world had no reason to worry about South Africa's ability to host the tournament.
"I feel very proud to be a South African. We have come a long way as the country and we are honoured to be the host of the world cup.
"It will be a wonderful world cup, it will be the best ever and we will show the world that we Africans have ubuntu" he said.
Mr Mthimunye from Temba in Hammanskraal said South Africa was ready to host the 2010 world cup and to welcome the world.
His optimism is echoed by Sylvia Assig, a citizen of the 2006 FIFA World Cup host, Germany.
Ms Assig from Berlin, where the 2006 FIFA World Cup final game was played, told BuaNews she was impressed with the speed at which South Africa was organising the 2010 World Cup.
"There is still a lot to be done on infrastructure but South Africa is doing things quickly and this will ensure that the country is ready by 2010. The world cup takes more than the celebrations, it involves intense planning but at the end it work for South Africa," she said.
Tshwane resident Nomaxisibe Magwebu said she could not wait for the countdown to come down to only a day.
"All the people involved in the world cup are working tirelessly to ensure it becomes a success. I believe we are going to set greater standards come 2010.
"I don't think crime will stop it as government is also working to fight crime," she said.
Thirteen-year-old Brian Bostander from Eersterus, east of Pretoria is aware he cannot be part of the Bafana Bafana team in 2010, but dreams to play for the national team one day.
"My only wish is to be on the stadium to watch South Africa play," he said. -
By Themba Gadebe BuaNews
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