One hundred days before the FIFA World Cup

By Ofentse Mokae
02 March 2010

Today marks 100 days before the kick of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The South African business community and tourism industry has rallied to benefit from the soccer spectacle.

The government has also dedicated and set aside billions of rands towards the preparations for the tournament.

Today deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected in his capacity as chair of government 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee, to lead the country’s celebration of the 100 Days to Go countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Deputy President will be accompanied by FIFA President Sepp Blatter and will have a number of interactions with international and local media at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.

Motlanthe will use the opportunity to reflect on the significant progress South Africa has made in preparing to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, since securing this opportunity.

In a statement the Presidency says the engagement recognises the important role played and to be played by an estimated 15 000 media representatives who will cover the 2010 FIFA World Cup directly from South Africa.

“The deputy president will then join a major public celebration at the Durban city hall where a range of festivities will provide a foretaste of the colour and energy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament,” the statement said.

Marking the day also Bafana Bafana will play host to neighbours Namibia on Wednesday evening, kick-off at 20h30.

The hosts go into the International Friendly in good form after 6-2 and 3-0 wins over Swaziland and Zimbabwe respectively.

However, Namibia’s Brave Warriors will hope to provide a stern test as Bafana’s preparations for the World Cup kick into top gear ahead of upcoming training camps to Brazil and Germany.