Hon Chairperson, hon Deputy Chairperson and hon members, in 2006 the SA Football Association, supported by the South African government, won the bid to host the Fifa Soccer World Cup. The South African government made the commitment and guarantees to the people of South Africa and Fifa that it would make the prestigious soccer event a success.
In order to oversee the successful preparation of our country for the World Cup, Parliament established an ad hoc committee to monitor progress and the readiness of the host cities and the stadiums. The ad hoc committee comprised a joint effort of both the portfolio and select committees dealing with Energy, Tourism, Police, Transport, Public Enterprises, Health and Home Affairs.
The ad hoc committee, in terms of South Africa's readiness to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, was tasked with the following: to assess the readiness of various host cities for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and, consequently, enhance ticket sales both locally and internationally; to assess the weaknesses and challenges in the host cities' base camps by encouraging short, medium and long-term intervention; and to encourage the co-ordination and management of the hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup around the various host cities and municipalities where base camps are located.
The delegation made the following findings regarding the readiness of the stadiums for the 2010 Africa Fifa World Cup. Most of the stadiums and the host cities that were visited by the ad hoc committee were ready and their pitches were in a spectacular state and met all of Fifa's requirements. Although there were some concerns about the lights at some stadiums, these concerns have since been resolved in all the areas where they were raised. However, we were informed that the Disability Alliance would lodge a protest over the lack of adequate seats at Soccer City Stadium. The alliance held the view ...
Could the member explain who the Disability Alliance is?
Would you like to explain, Mr Sibande?
No.
Okay, continue.
The alliance held the view that there was bias on the part of the organisers, particularly the Local Organising Committee, resulting in limited access to the stadium for disabled people. The City of Johannesburg built about 50 seats inside the stadium to accommodate disabled people in accordance with Fifa requirements.
Order, Mr Sibande. Mr Watson?
Chair, I acknowledge that the speaker is not willing to say who the Disability Alliance is, but in view of what he said afterwards, it would seem that he was referring to the DA. And, I think, in terms of the decorum of this House, we owe it to a party to use their correct name. We would not distort the ANC's name or any other name.
You both come from Mpumalanga. Could the two of you please discuss that. I don't know what he is referring to either. Continue, hon member.
I must also say that the Fifa LOC undertook to purchase extra seats to accommodate the access needs of disabled people.
In the Free State, the delegation expressed serious concern over the continued lack of co-operation between the host city and the Free State's rugby leadership over their continued use of the stadium. The Free State Cheetahs were continually using the stadium as their home ground for their Vodacom Super 14 games. The continued use of the stadium by the Cheetahs posed a serious risk to the growth of the grass and could have led to the withdrawal of all World Cup matches scheduled to take place in the city of Mangaung. The committee delegation recommended that the Free State Cheetahs request permission in writing from the SA Rugby Union for their remaining matches to be rescheduled to other venues. The delegation resolved that no other matches, especially on 1 May and 8 May 2010, should be staged on the Vodacom Park pitch. The captain's run would also be moved to other venues to avoid further damage to the pitch.
We also noted the lack of adequate support staff to assist with the proper management and cleaning of the facilities. I must also inform the House that we visited several base camps that were proposed for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Although most of the base camps were of a high quality, the delegation expressed concern about the quality of the pitches at some of the base camps. We were also notified of several contractual disputes that were raised with respective parties and requested that they be addressed immediately.
The delegation visited several host cities to ascertain their readiness. We also visited the areas that were designated as fan parks and, in most instances, we were pleased with their state of readiness. We were also pleased about the availability of the tourism information kiosks. We believe that these facilities will assist and make it easier for our international guests to navigate themselves to the various games and fan parks. They will serve as crucial points for our guests to get more information about the areas they can visit in order to get a true experience and reflection of South African life.
I must also say that we also visited airports in the host cities. We were impressed with the world-class infrastructure, which will also benefit our people beyond the World Cup. We were impressed by the baggage management system at the airports, which would surely limit baggage theft and make it easier for those who misplace their baggage to track it down.
Finally, I must inform this House that the delegation had engagements with Eskom to ascertain their readiness to provide a reliable power supply and ensure that we did not experience any blackouts. I must say that we were pleased about ... [Interjections.]
Is that a point of order? Hon Sibande, could you just hold on.
Chairperson, I just want to find out, with all sincerity, what has gotten into the hon Bloem. Is there something wrong with him today, because he is shouting at everybody?
That is not a point of order. But let us recognise the energy that the hon Bloem has. [Interjections.] Thank you very much. Hon Bloem, you are out of order now. [Laughter.] You may proceed, hon member.
I must say that we were pleased about the state of readiness and with the assurance they gave us that no one would miss a game owing to blackouts. We can say without a shred of doubt, "Ke Nako ya Afrika". Now is the time for Africa. "Sikhathi seNinginzimu Afrika." Feel it; it is here. We are ready to welcome the world. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly adopted in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.