Team SA still on track for 2010
29 February 2008What a difference a week can make. Following last week's reports of squabbling among the local organisers of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, several developments over the past few days have highlighted a marked improvement in communication between the government, the various 2010 role-players and, of course, the South African public.
The Fifa and Local Organising Committee's latest stadium inspection tour came at an important time, and has helped to put this country's progress - particularly with regards to the various stadium construction projects - in perspective.
The concensus is that most projects are on target, and members of the delegation noted how impressed they were with the effort that was being made, as well as by the level of detail.
There was also some good news on the security front. Airports Company South Africa has announced that better IT and a dedicated baggage security team have cut baggage pilferage 44% since December.
South African airports, in particular Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, were becoming notorious for baggage theft, and it was an issue that needed urgent attention in the build-up to 2010.
On the accommodation front, the government confirmed that more than 22 000 rooms have been contracted for the tournament so far - including 157 rooms in neighbouring Botswana and 329 rooms in Swaziland.
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said his department has set itself a target of 10 000 non-hotel rooms to be signed up by May, and that "all indications are that these targets will be exceeded".
In addition, the Department of Communication has responded to media reports criticising the finalisation of a policy framework for the digitisation of broadcasting in South Africa, assuring the public that everything is on target. The process of migrating to digital broadcasting is being spurred on mostly by the World Cup.
Next year's Confederations Cup - the 2010 curtain-raiser - is looming, and pressure is mounting on the various role-players to meet their deadlines. But if the developments of the past week are anything to go by, Team South Africa remains on course with its 2010 preparations.
Urquhart is a former Fifa World Cup media officer and the current editor of Project 2010
