DOCUMENTS

We're ready for the World Cup - South Africa

Govt says it is confident that event will run smoothly, is prepared for the unforeseen

STADIUMS

South Africa has delivered world class stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM

  • The ten stadiums to be used during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM have been completed and are ready to host the world's biggest football tournament. All the stadiums have hosted successful trial events to test their readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
  • The stadiums were handed over to FIFA way ahead of schedule.
  • South Africa's ten World Cup stadiums will be serviced by an integrated transport system incorporating rail and road transport to ensure that fans are safely transported to and from stadiums. 
  • Over 40 000 police will be on duty during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and security around stadiums and fan parks has been identified as a priority.
  • South Africa's ten World Cup-ready football stadiums give South Africa truly magnificent, capable and world-class sports venues which will be the destination for global sporting and cultural events such as the world cups of other sporting codes, the Olympic Games and music concerts.

SECURITY MEASURES

South Africa is confident that the 2010 FIFA World CupTM will be safe and secure.

  • We have dedicated more than 46 000 police officers to secure the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM. The majority of the police deployed for the tournament are trained officers with experience in major events.
  • Host cities have been divided into sections, with police teams patrolling each section focusing on accommodation, stadiums, fan parks, restaurants and tourist venues.
  • Route security, specifically those leading from airports into the cities, ports of entry and team bases will be a priority.
  • We have dedicated police stations, crime-investigation teams and special courts within close proximity to each stadium operating on a 24-hour basis. Our Joint Operational Centres at both national and provincial levels will be fully operational from 24 May 2010.

South Africa's 2010 FIFA World CupTM security plan has been applauded by all stakeholders.

  • A comprehensive security plan, which includes South Africa's approach to addressing terror threats, hooliganism and crime, was submitted to FIFA in June 2008.
  • This plan was well received by security experts from the 32 participating countries and by 188 Interpol member countries.
  • South Africa has successfully delivered close to 150 major sporting events, including the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2009 Indian Premier League, without incident.
  • South Africa had representatives at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA EURO 2008 and the Beijing Olympics to learn from the host countries' experiences.

Police are working with their international counterparts to ensure a safe 2010 FIFA World CupTM.

  • Interpol has set up an office in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM to assist authorities secure the tournament. The Dangerous and Disruptive Persons (DDP) database developed by Interpol will assist authorities in keeping such persons from entering South Africa.
  • The Regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) Security Plan has been finalised and cooperation with several countries is underway. Border securities, including sea and air security strategies, are in place.
  • Countries competing in the event will send their own specially trained police officers to assist with languages and cultural differences and to support the South African Police Service (SAPS).
  • The French military has trained SAPS in techniques used to deal with possible violent situations in order to protect spectators at the stadiums.

Every precaution has been taken against international and local terror threats for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.

  • Since 2004 we have been working closely with international agencies to gather intelligence, where pro-active and re-active preparations were undertaken to overcome any potential terrorism threat.
  • Law enforcement specialists from all participating countries - including intelligence structures - will permeate South Africa by 24 May 2010. United States and the United Kingdom will be sending a larger contingent of officers to secure their teams.
  • Within hours of receiving a rumoured threat, police are geared to identify the credibility of such reports.
  • Various simulation exercises have already been conducted by the police and military with great success.

State-of-the-art information and communications military technology is being used to secure the tournament. These investments will continue to assist the police in their crime-fighting initiatives long after the World Cup is over.

  • There will be four mobile command centres that will able to receive live footage from the airplanes and other cameras.
  • Surveillance of stadiums and key areas will be monitored by over 300 mobile cameras.
  • There are 10 mobile command vehicles, a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
  • Ten water cannons, 100 high-performance vehicles for highway patrol and up-to-date body armour will be used.

HEALTH MEASURES

South Africa's health facilities - both hospitals and clinics - are ready for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM

  • South Africa is ready to provide health services of an international standard to football fans who travel to the country for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.
  • Our health facilities are in line with our health infrastructure guarantees that were made to FIFA on being awarded the tournament.
  • A comprehensive health and medical response service will be available on a 24-hour basis over the duration of the tournament.
  • South Africa's state of readiness for health care was tested during the 2009 FIFA  Confederations Cup with great success.

A comprehensive health and medical response system is available in different areas during the duration of the tournament

  • The National Health Operations Centre (Nathoc) will link to all provinces, ensuring real-time monitoring, collating and reporting on the roll-out of the health plan, as well as the occurrence of any incidents.
  • Medical response personnel will be deployed on the most frequently used routes during the event. The 2010 Medical Volunteer Programme was also established to recruit volunteers with specialised skills in the medical fraternity to bolster the number of World Cup deployments.Free primary healthcare will be available to all spectators at official venues, including a script or referral to a health facility if necessary.
  • Dispensing machines will be situated throughout the stadiums for basic drug purchases. Twenty-four-hour pharmacies will be in place for the duration of the event.

South Africa has the necessary plans in place to deal with any major disruptions during the tournament

  • A comprehensive disaster-management plan has been developed to deal with any major disruption during the tournament.
  • All the possible risks that could cause major disruptions have been identified and the necessary risk reduction measures have been developed, tested and implemented.
  • The emergency preparedness of stadiums, fan parks and other public viewing areas are in place.
  • Disaster Management Centres in host cities and provinces will cater for any possible disasters such as floods, fires and/or any major transport or utility services disruption.

The country will deal decisively with the outbreak of diseases in line with its comprehensive disease control plan

  • Special measures have been put in place to ensure that all international ports of entry are properly monitored in terms of health related issues.
  • Public awareness information, outbreak indicators and strengthening existing disease outbreak policies and systems have been undertaken.
  • We have detailed plans for vaccinations against possible disease outbreaks and the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) issues regular updates on any outbreak.
  • There is no risk of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) to visitors as the disease typically only affects ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats.
  • The Department of Health has developed the Notifiable Medical Conditions Early Warning Surveillance System to provide daily epidemiological reports on health events of public importance.

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY

The 2010 FIFA World CupTM is an opportunity for the world to be exposed to South Africa as a destination of choice for both leisurely and business interests

  • The event is an unprecedented opportunity to make South Africa a more widely known and better understood destination. The 2010 FIFA World CupTM will leave a tangible and lasting tourism legacy in South Africa.
  • South Africans are ready to welcome the international community to our country with hospitality and openness.
  • South Africa offers exceptional value for money and a quality travel experience, combined with range of activities and attractions.
  • As a developing economy, South Africa is composed of various lucrative markets and business ventures which are ready to be partnered with.

Measures are in place to assist all 2010 FIFA World CupTM visitors during their stay in the country

  • A National Tourism Contact Centre will provide tourists with a  single point for all tourism related information. The contact centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will serve customers in seven international languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch and Portuguese).
  • Visitor Information Centres have been opened in the five host cities of Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth.
  • South Africa signed an agreement with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique to allow tourist "border-free" tourism packages. 
  • Trained volunteers, aptly named "tourist buddies", will provide helpful tourism information and friendly service to 2010 FIFA World Cup visitors.

Ticket holders of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM will receive preferential treatment at ports of entry

  • Speedy immigration processing through dedicated express lanes will be available to all 2010 FIFA World Cup TM ticket holders at ports of entry.
  • Mobile border units will be deployed at various land ports of entry, where a high volume of visitors are expected, for expedient clearance of travellers..
  • South Africa is the first country in the history of the FIFA World CupTM to offer an Event Visa to nationals travelling from specific non-visa exempt African countries. 
  • A new system capable of scanning 65 security features in a passport in less than 15 seconds, will facilitate quicker and safer passage of tourists.
  • The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is piloting the state-of-the-art Movement Control System at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and will soon roll it out at 33 priority ports of entry countrywide.

ACCOMODATION

Government is satisfied that the majority of South Africa's accommodation establishments are acting responsibly

  • South Africa has sufficient numbers of rooms available at affordable prices around the country to cater for the accommodation needs of 2010 FIFA World Cup visitors.
  • MATCH, the company appointed by FIFA to deliver accommodation, has secured 1 725 190 room nights for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM and 43 percent of the entire inventory (741 832 room nights) in the 1 007 properties will be reserved for the general public.
  • Seventy-four percent of South African accommodation establishments are charging reasonable prices ahead of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.
  • FIFA's accreditation extends from South Africa's top-notch hotels to selected game lodges, guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments.
  • Other innovative accommodation facilities include the camping village that will be set up at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban. This venue is in walking proximity to the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

TRANSPORT

Government is confident that the integrated transport infrastructure of the country will meet the needs of the FIFA World CupTM

  • Government has invested more than R19 billion on public transport infrastructure for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM to ensure that the tournament leaves a rich legacy for our country and Continent.
  • The country's three main airports, OR Tambo International, Cape Town International and the newly built King Shaka airport in Kwazulu-Natal are ready to receive the thousands of additional travellers.
  • The smaller airports in Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberly and Upington have also been upgraded and are an important link into the integrated transport approach for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.
  • Transport infrastructure for the World Cup is in line with the country's long-term developmental goals. New initiatives earmarked for use during the World Cup, such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the Gautrain, form an integral part of the legacy of the tournament.

An integrated transportation system is in place for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM

  • We have an inter-provincial and regional transport system in place, which is operated by the Operating Managing Entity (OME) to ensure the efficient and safe transport of ticket holders.
  • The first class national integrated transport system utilises and integrates the services of the newly acquired AutoPax coach fleet (110 units) with that of minibus vehicles and the taxi industry.
  • The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has upgraded its rail infrastructure, increasing mobility and accessibility for commuters during the tournment.
  • Dedicated transport services include 418 trains, 420 buses allocated to MATCH, 200 buses for the FIFA family and 350 buses for general spectators.
  • This is in addition to the 1 100 buses already in operation, as well as 800 midi-buses to be managed by the OME.

All modes of transport during the 2010 FIFA World CupTM will be closely monitored to ensure that they are working efficiently

  • Transport operations will be monitored by the national transport command centre, a 24-hour call centre and an interactive website: "Find Your Way 2010".
  • The transport command and call centre will coordinate and manage the implementation of our 2010 transport plans in conjunction with provinces and host cities.
  • Real time traffic and transport information will feed into the command centre to enable quick decision making and responses to incidents.
  • Our road safety plans will be coordinated and monitored by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to will ensure appropriate traffic law enforcement on identified routes with high traffic volumes.
  • Routes leading to and from host cities, airports, hotels, stadia, fan parks, public viewing areas and other places of interest will receive priority attention from our traffic law enforcement officials.

ENERGY

South Africa will ensure a continues supply of electricity during the 2010 Fifa World CupTM.

  • We have guaranteed an uninterrupted supply of electricity to key 2010 Fifa World CupTM installations.
  • The country has enough reserve margin to help see it through the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
  • Southern African Power Pool (Sapp) signed a pledge for a reliable power supply during the 2010 World Cup.
  • All 2010 World Cup stadiums will be self sufficient and not place any addition stress on Eskom's power grid.

All 2010 Fifa World CupTM stadium will be fitted with generators as their primary power source.

  • All ten of the World Cup stadiums will be fitted with diesel-powered generators to ensure undisturbed power supplies during matches.
  • Each stadium generator will be powered up two hours before the start of each match and could provide power for up to two hours after a match. Eskom will be used to provide backup power for the stadiums in line with standard international practice.
  • Over R200-million has been allocated by the National Treasury to secure generators according to Fifa requirements.
  • All broadcast power used during the month-long event will also originate from generators - guaranteeing uninterrupted viewing worldwide.

South Africa has taken the appropriate measures to ensure the continued supply of energy for the tournament.

  • All matters of power supply have been prioritised in all strategic 2010 Fifa World CupTM forums.
  • An Electricity Supply Steering Committee was established to identify risks and recommend appropriate strategies.
  • We continue to pursue alternative energy sources and energy saving initiatives to promote electricity savings.
  • Government is set to meet the "real target" of between 2 000 and 3 500 Megawatts of electricity being saved by the time the world cup kicks off.

Source: www.info.gov.za

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