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‘World, welcome!’ – Jacob Zuma on 2010
With the stadiums all approaching completion and the 32 teams for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ decided, Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan speaks to South African President Jacob Zuma on the eve of the Final Draw in Cape Town.
Jordaan: Thank you Mr President for giving us some time. Outside our headquarters next to Soccer City stadium, 32 flags are now flying. These are the flags of the 32 countries that will be part of Africa’s first Fifa World Cup™. What is your message to those who have qualified and will now come to our country?
Zuma: We welcome them with warm hearts. It has been a long journey, a journey first and foremost to have the World Cup on our continent. When we won the right to host the event it was almost as if we had won the World Cup because it was such a historic event.
Having done that, South Africa then said that this World Cup is not just hosted by South Africa, we are hosting it on behalf of the continent.
So when we say to the countries that have qualified, “Welcome”, it is actually Africa welcoming the world to come and play in South Africa. I am sure they will not be disappointed. Qualifying is not a small matter; it is one of the biggest challenges of this tournament.
Jordaan: What is your message to ordinary South Africans who love this game, and who must next year play host. What do you expect from them? Read more »
