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Mbeki: No reason to doubt 2010
13/05/2007 22:24 - (SA)
Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki said there was no reason to doubt South Africa's ability to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, SABC news reported on Sunday.
Mbeki was speaking at the end of his three-day international investment advisory council meeting in Alicedale in the Eastern Cape.
The construction of the 2010 stadiums was moving ahead while some international media were still doubtful of South Africa's ability to host the tournament.
Former DaimlerChrysler chairperson Jurgen Schrempp said he had no doubt that the world championship would take place in South Africa and on time.
Independent Newspapers' chair Anthony O'Reilly said he was confident that the tournament would be the best World Cup ever.
Asked whether his succession was discussed, both Mbeki and the investors brushed off the matter.
"...is there a succession issue? There is no such thing, I think lets attend to the real issues of South Africa and forget all of these other funny stories," said Mbeki.
"No, they were not worried about it because it is not an issue among them," he said.
Although the council was confident in the country's ability to host the World Cup, it advised the country to re-double its efforts in creating 1.5 million jobs over the coming five years.
Mbeki said that people needed to look at the totality of the programme of the 2010 World Cup so as to see how government is managing and funding it.
- SAPA
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