 Thousands of jobs are at risk unless government completes tender processes and companies contracted to build infrastructure for the 2010 Soccer World Cup begin their work in July this year, local organising committee CEO Danny Jordaan has warned.In a bid to reach FIFA's deadline of 2008, by when stadiums must be built, companies could opt for a more mechanised approach rather than the use of labour, especially if tenders were awarded late, Jordaan said. He said companies waiting to bid were concerned that they would not have sufficient time to complete the projects within the stipulated time.
The companies have estimated that it will take three years using an intensive labour programme to complete the new stadiums. However, if they start too late, they could be forced to use more machines. Addressing the Gauteng sports portfolio committee in Johannesburg, Jordaan said the greatest challenge for cities that will be hosting world cup soccer teams was public transport. There was no efficient rail network connecting Pretoria, Midrand and Johannesburg, he said. While the proposed Gautrain would go a long way to help alleviate the problem, the province needed a lot more in terms of rail and roads to cater for the estimated 400,000 spectators that will descend on the province during the international event. He said France solved its problems by using busses from around the whole of the European Union, while Korea and Japan boasted of their fast trains and rail network. He said Cape Town, for example, was often overloaded by proceedings leading up to the opening of Parliament, with airlines booked, rental cars unavailable and hotels full. "You can imagine the challenge we will face during the 2010 event if any city in the country does not prepare properly or underestimates the magnitude of this project," he said. He expressed optimism about government's move to promulgate the 2010 Special Measures Act and the 2010 Financial Measures Act. He said these laws will empower police to fight against "ambush marketing" of goods by unlicensed companies and the flooding of South African market with fake merchandise. He said the Sector Education and Training Agency had also secured funds to start training volunteers and tour guides to help tourists. Some of them will also be encouraged to learn foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. "We must educate South Africans about the importance of communicating in these languages because that would make our guests feel welcomed to stay a bit longer to spend their money in the country," he said. |
