Polokwane - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says he is highly impressed with Limpopo's state of readiness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Motlanthe paid visits to several World Cup legacy projects in Polokwane on Saturday where he had firsthand experience of the city's readiness for the tournament.
Polokwane is seen as one of the host cities that will play a major role in the country's successful hosting of the World Cup. It will also welcome at least eight teams who will be playing matches there throughout the tournament. The teams include big guns such as France, Argentina, Paraguay and Mexico.
Apart from visiting the magnificent Peter Mokaba Stadium, Motlanthe, who chairs an inter-ministerial task team on the World Cup, was taken to various projects that will ensure that the people of Limpopo benefit from the event long after the final whistle has blown. The city has identified a number of 2010 legacy projects linked to infrastructure development to stimulate economic and social development.
These include a newly built tourism and information centre that will be utilized to attract tourists to the City of Stars and upgraded infrastructure such as roads and bridges. City officials have also incorporated a unique feature in the province's world cup fan fare programme by developing what has been named a 'cultural village', aimed at giving the World Cup an African feel. Organisers say the African village will also be used as a tourist attraction site in which 10 different African countries will showcase their heritage and culture. Plans are under way to ensure the idea is used to foster relations among African countries beyond the World Cup.
"I am highly impressed with what I've seen and I'm convinced Polokwane will produce excellent shows during this World Cup," Motlanthe told reporters. A number of local people have been employed through the infrastructure legacy projects and Motlanthe urged officials to ensure that these projects including the Peter Mokaba Stadium do not become white elephants after the event but continue to serve the city and the people of Limpopo.
"I know our main challenge now would be to ensure that these projects are maintained and I'm confident that you will do everything you can to keep them in good condition," he said.
While the World Cup will bring international exposure and thousands of visitors to South Africa, various cities across the country want to ensure the real benefits of hosting the event will be felt long after the games have ended.
Motlanthe told scores of people who had gathered at the Polokwane Cricket Club grounds that they had a duty to help Polokwane host successful world cup matches. "We should be ready to open our hearts and homes to our visitors from all over the world as part of building solidarity and friendship based on values of botho (humanity)," he said.
He told them facilities like the Fan Park, which is situated a mere 2 kilometers from the stadium, will provide the locals with an opportunity to equally enjoy the games and be part of the tournament without necessarily being inside the stadium.
Limpopo Mayor Cassel Mathale said the thousands of people who will be visiting Polokwane and the million who will be watching on TV during the 30-day spectacle will give the provincial government an opportunity to market the city and the province.
"With the support from the rest of our people, we fore see great benefits long after the world cup has come and go," Mathale said. He said many other facilities in the city are being improved. Massive infrastructure upgrades are being undertaken at previously neglected areas and several Public Viewing Areas set up in townships like Thohoyandou will give people even in the remote parts of the province an opportunity to be part of the festivities.
