Johannesburg - The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) is ready to transmit images of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to billions of viewers around the world.
Local and international media were recently taken on a guided "behind the scenes" tour of the 30 000m2 facility.
The delivery of the IBC is part of the 17 guarantees made to FIFA by the South African government. The Department of Communications (DoC) undertook to provide assistance for the setting up of the facility.
DoC's Minister General (Ret.) Simphiwe Nyanda commended the Local Organising Committee, FIFA, Telkom and Sentech for their involvement in the setting up of the broadcasting centre.
"The delivery of the IBC is central to the fulfillment of the government ICT guarantees. Today's tour thus marks an important milestone towards realising these guarantees, as this facility will be the central hub of all broadcast activities," the minister said on Friday.
The centre is strategically situated in Nasrec - south of Johannesburg - a stone throwaway from the iconic Soccer City Stadium and Safa House. A dedicated network will link the 10 World Cup venues and more than 500 broadcasters in 214 countries to the images of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The minister said he was satisfied that the centre would be ready.
"I would like to confirm that the ICT infrastructure as guaranteed by government is ready and functional for the world to witness the greatest football spectacular event on African soil," Nyanda said.
Following a highly competitive process, the City of Johannesburg was selected to host the IBC for the tournament.
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo said the broadcast centre would assist the City to meet its developmental objectives and attract investment long after the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"This will go a long way towards ensuring that our developmental objectives become a reality and attract investment to the city," said Masondo.
The Mayor said the greatest benefit of hosting the IBC for the City has been the catalytic effect it has had on the development if the Nasrec area.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said there would be "no World Cup without the IBC."
"It's very clear that it's from here that the world will have a chance to watch the World Cup here in South Africa and it's not a few countries, it's more than 200 countries who will be watching the 64 matches live, so there is no World Cup without the IBC," he said.
The IBC cost about R978-million to setup and will officially open on 2 June 2010.
