2010 Soccer: Welcome to the world!
‘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 »
Africa Day
Africa Day – 25 May 2010
It all began 44 years ago when leaders of African nation states that had already attained independence and progressive liberation struggle movements met in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, on 25 May 1963 to pledge solidarity with the total emancipation of the people of Africa from the yoke of colonialism.
The Organisation for African Unity is the end result of what these leaders of state discussed at this historic gathering, and Africa Day commemorates the emancipation of Africa from colonialism. Although Africa is free, post-colonial challenges still haunt it, and that is why Parliament resolved to host an Africa Day Seminar on African Renaissance and the Millennium Development Goals, two topics at the heart of Africa’s future development.
…Read more »
Shanghai Expo 2010
South Africa’s Pavilion at Shanghai Expo will be Officially Opened by South African Minister for International Relations
Shanghai, China – South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane opened South Africa’s Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 on 6 May. Seen as the biggest demonstration to date of South Africa’s vision of China as a strategic partner, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane’s visit is the first of a series of high level visits expected during Shanghai Expo from now until 31 October 2010.
As a key strategic partner for South Africa within the South-South cooperation, the bilateral relationship with China is at its strongest since formal diplomatic relations were established in 1998. Positioned as a gateway to Africa for investment and trade from China, South Africa’s participation at Shanghai Expo becomes relevant when considering that in 2009 the total trade between China and Africa amounted to over 106 billion dollars, an increase of 45 percent over the previous year, of which South Africa accounted for 20%. Meanwhile, China’s imports from Africa amounted to 56 billion dollars, an increase of 54 percent over the previous year. …Read more »
Cape Argus Cycle Tour
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, you have to think about joining the massed ranks of the annual Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour that takes place around Cape Town in March of every year. South Africa’s oldest and biggest cycle race, this is one not to be missed!. The first event took place on 28 October 1978 and attracted 525 entrants. Since then it has grown to be the biggest single-day cycle race in the world and attracts around 35 000 entrants.
The route takes competitors over some of the hardest and yet most scenic road in and around the city of Cape Town. This cycle tour in South Africa is without doubt one of the most beautifully tough cycle races in the world. To complicate matters, the April weather in the Cape is often unpredictable with rain and high winds an occasional unexpected hazard on the route
Meetings Africa
About Meetings Africa
24 – 26 February 2010, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.
Meetings Africa is Africa’s top business tourism exhibition. It showcases products and services from across the region’s meeting, incentives and events industries.
It is a one-stop shop. If you are a conference organiser, meeting planner, corporate travel agent, destination management company, or are involved in securing and arranging events in Southern Africa, Meetings Africa is for you.
Meetings Africa is supported by key partners – the Gauteng Tourism Authority, the Johannesburg Tourism Company, the Sandton Convention Centre and the Department of Trade and Industry.
