2010: CT wants govt guarantee

2006-07-20 16:43

Cape Town - Cape Town authorities reluctantly agreed on Thursday to the construction of a downtown stadium for the 2010 World Cup.

Mayor Helen Zille said construction of the 68 000-seat stadium would begin in January only if the national government guaranteed to pay a majority of the cost - estimated at more than R3bn.

"We can not end up with a situation like in Montreal when the grandchildren of the people who made the decisions for the 1976 Olympics are still paying the bill," Zille said.

Cape Town can only afford to pay R400m toward the cost because of problems like the chronic lack of housing and services, Zille added.

Authorities hope the World Cup will contribute billions of rands into the South African economy and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in a country still trying to overcome the legacy of apartheid.

President Thabo Mbeki has repeatedly said that the first World Cup in Africa will be a symbol of the continent's renaissance.

The government has earmarked about R5bn for building and renovating 10 stadiums, and a further R8.7bn on upgrades to airports, roads and railway lines.

However, there has already been speculation that the tournament may be moved given that construction work has barely started and that South Africa's transport system may not be able to cope with the influx of visitors.

Constraints are time and money

The government and Fifa have dismissed the rumors as baseless and organizing chief Danny Jordaan insists everything is on schedule.

Zille was more wary.

"The killer constraints are time and money," she said. "We have to start turning sods in January otherwise we can't meet the time limit."

She said Cape Town - dubbed the Mother City and regarded as the jewel in South Africa's crown - would bid to host the opening match and a semi-final to justify the cost and capitalize on its stunning scenery.

Cape Town initially planned to host first and second-round matches at its Newlands rugby stadium, leaving Johannesburg to host the opening and final matches.

Durban, the capital Pretoria, the northern town of Polokwane, the northeastern city of Nelspruit near Kruger National Park, the southern port city of Port Elizabeth, and the central town of Bloemfontein are the other venues.

However, the government earlier this year announced plans for a new stadium in Cape Town suitable for a semi-final after pressure from Fifa and its sponsors anxious to benefit from the magnificent backdrop of Table Mountain and the surrounding ocean.

It said the site would be on Green Point common, close to the city centre and harbour.

- SAPA