North West provincial government gears up infrastructure for FIFA 2010

Memorandum contributes to infrastructure FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa's North West Province

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the North West provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday, which would contribute to infrastructure plans for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Premier Edna Molewa said the DBSA partnership would assist with infrastructure development in the province and also fast track service delivery projects in municipalities.

"We must ensure that by 2010 all identified soccer practice venues such as Rustenburg, Mafikeng, and other areas are developed," she said at the signing ceremony.

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in the host city of Rustenburg has been earmarked as a venue for matches in the FIFA tournament coming to South Africa in four years' time.

Ms Molewa said the signing of the memorandum came at an opportune time during which the government was deeply engaged in implementing the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS) to grow the economy of the province.

"The signining signifies and acknowledges that this government is serious about fighting poverty and creating employment. This is in line with our Growth and Development Strategy priorities and in support of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa."

The Premier and the CEO of the Development Bank, Paul Baloyi, acknowledged that while the North West is faced with enormous development challenges, positive inroads are necessary to fast track development.

"DBSA understands the magnitude and complexity of these challenges and believes that innovative, smart partnerships must be formed to find long-term solutions and to unlock untapped development potential," said Mr Baloyi.

The Bank's support is spread throughout the province and is carefully aligned to the development needs and priorities outlined in the North West PGDS.

Its support package to the province includes both financial and non-financial products and services.

In addition to providing funding for infrastructure, DBSA offers technical assistance and grant funding for capacity-building, knowledge management products and services, and the mobilisation of private sector involvement in development.

Recently, DBSA deployed experts in Mamusa, Naledi and the Department of Local Government and Housing to provide hands on support in facilitating delivery services.

To date, DBSA has invested over R2.8 billion to fund more than 30 projects in the North West province. Of this, R282.2 million has been invested in sanitation and R378.7 million has been spent building and upgrading roads.

DBSA also combines investment support with technical assistance grants to ensure sustainable development outcomes. Within the North West, R8.7 million in technical assistance grants has been provided for more than 60 projects.

(source: BuaNews / 2 August 2006)

The German state of Bavaria is encouraging South African companies to attend a real estate trade fair in October 2006, saying it will attract investors in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Hans Spitzner, Bavaria's deputy minister for economic affairs said that SA could benefit from experience Germany was gaining in staging the 2006 Football World Cup.

Specific areas of opportunity that could be triggered by the event included the development of shopping malls, entertainment venues and residential developments, he said. The 2010 Football World Cup is expected to generate billions of rands.

Australia is keen as well to share the experience gained in hosting the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

(source: Business Day / Chris Van Gass / 17 February 2005)

The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup should boost tourism in Southern Africa, which is currently handicapped by its image as a war zone and the difficulties of travel within the region.

Shepherd Nyaruwata, the executive director of the Regional Tourism Organisation for Southern Africa, said: "There is a need to spruce up the image of the region."

Nyaruwata expected tourist numbers to peak from 14 million last year to 20 million during 2010, with some World Cup soccer fans going on from the soccer tournament in South Africa to visit neighbouring states such as Mozambique and Namibia.

(source: Business Report / Alfonce Mbizwo / 17 March 2005)