PRESS RELEASE: Desmond Tutu is looking forward to the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 and emphasises its significance for the entire country

Berlin, 17 July 2009. One day ahead of Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday, representatives of numerous organisations met at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin in order to get information about the state of the preparations for the FIFA Soccer World Cup next year and also to discuss with former Archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu, the FIFA Communications Head Hans Klaus and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig of Hamburg University. The host and Minister of the Republic of South Africa, Cassandra Mbuyane-Mokone, also joined the group.

Desmond Tutu said, “The FIFA Soccer World Cup is really our WC; it will help us very much to unite our country further. We will prove that a multi-cultural society is possible. We are a token of hope for the entire world.”

Since the bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 15 May 2004, South Africa has been preparing for its role as host country in many ways. The dress rehearsal, the FIFA Confederations Cup, was successfully staged a few weeks ago. Ms Mbuyane-Mokone said, “The organisation of this global sports event is a big challenge for many fields of our economy, society and politics,” and added, “During the Confederations Cup we saw that the South African fans bring their share to make sure that this WC, which we host for the entire African continent, will be a success.”

Hans Klaus also talked about the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, saying “during the tournament we could see that we are well on the way to achieve our joint goals. Currently we are working on some challenges such as the transport sector. A perfect organisation of the tournament next year is important but a great experience and a good and authentic atmosphere are at least as important.”

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig commented on the economic effects of such a mega sporting event, “Benefits in the short run are not to be expected and are not aspired. South Africa will in the long run see positive economic effects of the FIFA WC that will result from the improved infrastructure and the high attention worldwide.”

Information series continued
Four events with 400 multipliers and media representatives took place in the past in the Berlin Embassy. At the initial event on 27 May 2008 the focus was on the bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Germany as well as security. An important element was the presentation of the projects of the German partners that use the WC as catalyst for sustainable development in South Africa and other African states. Represented were the Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, InWEnt (International Education and Development) gGmbH, and streetfootballworld gGmbH. The deputy police head of South Africa, André Prius, provided information about the current and additional security measures for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

High-ranking experts
The second information event dealt with the topics of transport and infrastructure as well as the current state of the preparations for the FIFA WC 2010 in general. With Dr. Danny Jordaan, chief of the South African Organising Committee, the DFB Treasurer Horst R. Schmidt in his capacity as advisor for the FIFA WC 2010, high-ranking spokesmen could be won for the event. The official mascot Zakumi had his first appearance outside of South Africa on this occasion.

The third event dealt with the topics “Football for Hope” and “20 Centres for 2010”, on which the Head of the FIFA Section for Corporate Social Responsibility, Federico Addiechi, reported together with Jürgen Griesbeck, Managing Director of streetfootballworld gGmbH.

In the fourth information event Willy Lemke, UN Special Envoy for Sports, participated as well as Erich Stather, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Together with other experts they discussed the chances and challengers of sustainable development within the context of the FIFA WC 2010.

18th July – “Mandela Day”
In order to celebrate the selfless dedication to the country and its people, citizens in South Africa and everywhere in the world are called upon on the occasion of the 91st birthday of Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela tomorrow, to “donate” 67 minutes of their time for voluntary work in their communities. The number 67 reflects the 67 years that Nelson Mandela worked without interruption for the collective good.

Please visit out website at www.suedafrika.org

For further information please contact:

Volker Schlichting
Adjouri & Stastny Communication management GmbH
Tel: +49 (0) 30 28 39 88 58
Mail: schlichting(at)adjouri-stastny.com

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