Halala South Africa!

15 March, 2010

MAKING IT HAPPEN: Celebrating the 100-day countdown to the World Cup were Fifa President Sepp Blatter, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Mayor Obed Mlaba and CAF President Issa Hayatou

By Themba Khumalo and Mack Makhathini

‘Halala South Africa , Halala,” is how Fifa boss Sepp Blatter described South Africa’s “meticulous” preparations for the World Cup. Marking the 100-day countdown at a gala dinner at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Blatter said he had no doubt South Africa would prove the sceptics wrong. Addressing an audience, which included Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, cabinet ministers and host city Mayors, Blatter said, Africa’s time had come. “When I opened the envelope (and announced) that South Africa had won the bid to host the 2010 World Cup... Nelson Mandela took the trophy and said a dream had come true,” Blatter said.

Motlanthe said that with the stadiums now complete, the country needed to focus on issues like the movement of people. “When the visitors land in our shores, we should embrace them and make them feel at home. The trophy will remain in the continent because this is a chance of a lifetime.” Motlanthe said the economy had already felt the benefits of the World Cup as the country had invested in infrastructure before the recession had taken hold. “As we mark 100 days... we are proud because, in many respects, we are able to pronounce ourselves ready to welcome the world three months ahead of schedule,” Motlanthe said.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize said the event would strengthen the economy and that tourism and agriculture had benefited. “We see the whole of Africa coming to Durban to witness the occasion with us,” Mkhize said. Mayor Obed Mlaba thanked the organising committee and Fifa for choosing Durban to celebrate the 100 days. “This has given us the opportunity to show the world that we are ready, we are ready to host the World Cup. “It’s the people of Durban who will make the World Cup a success for the city.” Local Organising Committee Head Danny Jordaan said, “We have come a long way since our name was pulled out the envelope in 2004.

The hard infrastructure work has been largely completed. Our stadiums will be ready to host the fans and teams and our airports will be ready to welcome the influx of visitors. “For the next 100 days the people of South Africa need to prepare for the celebration that awaits them. As South Africans we have encountered a lot of scepticism, but today, as we celebrate this milestone, we can confidently say to the world that we will be ready,” Jordaan said. Blatter and the Fifa delegation also visited 10 stadiums and nine host cities over five days. They were accompanied by more than 300 local and international journalists.

khumalotk@durban.gov.za and makhathinim@durban.gov.za

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