The Cape Town Partnership hosted more than 200 guests at its inaugural 2010 Partners Forum held on 26 November 2008.

The forum provides interested individuals and organisations the opportunity to learn more about how they can become involved in the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Andrew Boraine, Chief Executive of the Cape Town Partnership said that the Forum will generate involvement and participants will be able to co-drive 2010. This is important as a major part of the event footprint is in the Central City.

Mike Marsden, the head of the City of Cape Town’s 2010 team said that Cape Town’s host city status goes beyond hosting a successful event, but was also about the legacy of the event. Preparations for 2010 have precipitated investment in neglected infrastructure. Many gains have been made in terms of public and private investment, so building a strong platform for future economic growth.

Apart from its host city status, Cape Town is an important venue for the tournament. Of an anticipated 350 000 visitors expected in South Africa, four out of five international respondents have indicated that they would prefer to visit Cape Town. This is according to Pam Naidoo, the Acting Director of Operations for the City. The television rights to 2010 have been sold at a cost of R14,7 billion, which is proof that the world’s attention will be focused on Cape Town and the other host cities she said speaking about the City’s readiness for and obligations to FIFA for hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

According to Naidoo, the City’s objectives are to successfully host the semi-finals and other events in Cape Town, to position itself as the party capital of Africa, to derive maximum public benefit and a lasting legacy, particularly in terms of infrastructure, economic opportunities and the environment, to position itself as a desirable destination for investors and tourists and to leverage long-term economic growth.

Integrated Development Plan

These objectives are firmly ensconced within the City’s five-year strategy, the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). This plan recognises that while infrastructure led growth is a major development theme over the period, location branding and marketing are an important objective.

The stadium currently under construction in Green Point needs to meet not only FIFA’s requirements, but Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) standards as well. It has a seating capacity of 68 000 seats (and 55 000 post the World Cup). The stadium is currently four days ahead of schedule and on track for the handover date of 14 December 2009.

The Fan Park should be a safe and secure fenced area in which non-ticket holders can enjoy all 64 matches. Entrance will be free and with operational hours from 10h00 to 24h00, should represent many opportunities for businesses involved in both the day and night time economies. The proposed venue of the Grand Parade (still subject to FIFA approval) can accommodate 38 000 people and is currently being refurbished to the tune of R20 million.

The proposed public viewing areas – Athlone, Bellville and Swartklip – will be used to showcase and stage various 2010 legacy programmes within the City.

The Cape Town Station is currently being upgraded and public transport system improvements have been accelerated in order to facilitate ease of travel.

A fan mile – an approximately 2,6 km pedestrianised area running from the Grand Parade via Somerset Road to Green Point Stadium will provide an excellent opportunities for businesses to plan street vending and cultural activities.

Overall, procurement opportunities exist in stage and scaffolding, generators, marquees, portable offices and office equipment, fencing and access control, special lighting and sound, toilets, signage, technicians or site specialists, event management, entertainment, catering, local craft and cuisine, security services, printing and publishing, corporate gifting and transportation.

Naidoo cautioned that the event would not be without challenges: FIFA guidelines have to be stringently applied and public funds have to be used prudently. The City has to strictly protect FIFA Marks as part of the Rights Protection Programme. Fan numbers are unpredictable, as is the weather. Public expectations have to be managed and safety and security risks have to be minimised. Above all, she added, hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup needs to leave behind a sustainable socio-economic development legacy.

International business club

Guy Lundy, the CEO of Accelerate Cape Town, then spoke about his organisation’s plans to maximise the opportunities presented by 2010. Accelerate Cape Town is a private sector initiative aimed at bringing together Cape Town organisations to develop and implement a long-term vision for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Accelerate Cape Town’s 2010 related projects include an international business club, 2010 business opportunities and the building of a Cape Town business brand. It is for this reason Lundy cautioned that stakeholders should therefore relook the positioning of the city as Africa’s party capital.

Ron Hayden spoke about the City of Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) project, which although accelerated by planning for 2010, will kickstart bigger developments. This system can handle more than 20 000 people per hour.

From the variety of comments (click through to website where we list the comments) and the issues raised as well as participation, it is clear that there is an eagerness across industries and across organisation size, to become part of the biggest event ever to be hosted on the African continent.

If you would like to join the Forum and receive updated information on how you or your organisation can best make use of the opportunities presented by 2010, please register online.

View Presentations

• Andrew Boraine’s slides
• Mike Marsden’s slides
• Pam Naidoo’s slides
• Ron Hayden’s slides
• Guy Lundy’s slides