Bua Briefs 139

19 June 2009
 

The FIFA Confederations Cup: 14 - 28 June 2009

Known as the festival of champions, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is the precursor to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. It is played between the winners of each of the FIFA confederations’ regional tournaments, the previous FIFA World Cup winner and the next FIFA World Cup tournament host. Eight international football teams are represented, namely South Africa, Iraq, New Zealand and Spain in Group A and the United States of America, Italy, Brazil and Egypt in Group B. It is currently underway until 28 June 2009 at various stadiums, namely Ellis Park (Johannesburg); Royal Bafokeng Stadium (Rustenburg); Loftus Versveld (Tshwane) and Free State Stadium (Mangaung).

The South African Government extends a warm welcome to the FIFA family, the teams and fans to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
 

  • We must all receive the soccer-loving nations and tourists with the spirit of Ubuntu, and it is our collective responsibility to make each one of them feel welcome.
  • We must work together to be great hosts so that we will remain champions to our visitors for years to come.
  • Let us fly our flag high and create a memorable experience for our visitors from all over the world.

Hosting the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is a major milestone towards the attainment of government’s Programme of Action. For instance:
 

  • We invested in the tournaments to speed up the delivery of an improved road network, an upgraded public transport system and enhanced safety and security infrastructure.
  • To date, our investment has created thousands of job opportunities both the public and private sectors with many economic opportunities for local businesses.
  • Our bus and taxi associations within Confederations Cup host cities are providing a smooth and reliable transport service for our visitors.
  • The 2010 Mass Mobilisation Programme is implementing the imparting of football, coaching and life skills programmes for learners and regional coaches.
  • The campaign is mobilising society behind the delivery of world-class events.

Government has made strides to ensure the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments are held within a safe and secure environment
 

  • We have procured special safety and security equipment, including crowd-control equipment and command vehicles to ensure incident-free events.
  • There is greater focus on border security at ports of entry, including South Africa’s land, sea and air borders.
  • Our joint security forces are skilled and ready, having undergone training exercises, including air and maritime defence and CBRN (chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear) simulation exercises.
  • The number of police reservists will be doubled ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 from 55 000 members to 100 000.

KE NAKO. Celebrate Africa’s Humanity™

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Youth Development Month 2009

South Africa commemorated Youth Day on 16 June 2009, marking the 33rd anniversary of the Soweto uprisings in 1976. This commemoration took place within the context of government’s recent approval of the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2009 – 2014 and the establishment of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), formed through the merger of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund and the National Youth Commission. The NYDA, which was launched on Youth Day in Ekurhuleni, will enhance service and development opportunities provided to the youth.

Youth are central to strengthening our hard-earned democracy and building a united and better country for all
 

  • We commemorated Youth Day with vivid memories of the struggles and sacrifices of young people for freedom and democracy on 16 June 1976.
  • The youth of our country remain central in the building of a democracy.
  • Youth today are found in professional areas; they are entrepreneurs with some as role models in government, business and industry. Our democracy has benefited the young people and more can be done.
  • This being Youth Development Month, the youth should join government in the fight against crime in an effort to reclaim our peace, security and comfort.

We need to protect and defend the rights of young people and empower them to understand their responsibilities
 

  • While all citizens of South Africa, irrespective of age, enjoy human rights enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, youth have to express a responsible character and promote their rights and defend our democracy.
  • The development of youth in our country is driven through, among other things, the Constitution, the NYP, the African Youth Charter, the World Programme of Action on Youth and the NYDA Act, 2008 (Act 54 of 2008), which are led by government at all three spheres and supported by non-governmental organisations and the private sector. 
  • Young people should play a leading role in various partnerships to work with government and communities in rebuilding families; ensuring a safer and caring environment for all, including young people; and playing a meaningful role in the reconstruction and development agenda of our country.
  • The young people of this country should be partners in the efforts to eliminate poverty, reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS and ensure that communities have healthy environments and food security.

The launch of the NYDA on 16 June 2009 is a victory for youth development
 

  • The NYDA will link up unemployed young graduates with economic opportunities and strengthen efforts to expand the National Youth Service Programme and support young entrepreneurs.
  • The NYDA will expand opportunities for skills development targeting the youth, ensuring better access to decent work opportunities.
  • Working together, the efforts of young people will be directed at poverty alleviation, rural development and crime prevention. Plans are underway to recruit and deploy thousands of unemployed youths in the fight against crime in communities.
  • We are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the 2010 FIFA World CupTM contributes to create decent work opportunities for the youth, leaving a proud legacy for our children and our communities.

Celebrating a vibrant youth voice

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Highlights

2010 World Cup
 

  • South Africa’s first newly-built 2010 stadium complete

    The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth recently became the first newly-built stadium to be opened for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The multipurpose stadium will seat 48 000 people. Eight World Cup games, including a third and fourth place play-off and a quarter final, will take place at the stadium.

Transport
 

  • New train to relieve traffic congestion

    A second luxury train was introduced between Pretoria and Johannesburg, to relieve traffic congestion between the two cities. Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s CEO, Tshepo Lucky Montana, said that the uptake of the service had been phenomenal and beyond expectations, hence the decision to launch the second Business Express on the Pretoria-Johannesburg corridor.

Economy
 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO) Summit On Global Crisis

    Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe led a South African delegation to the 98th session of the ILO Conference, which took place from 15 to 17 June in Geneva, Switzerland. South Africa’s response to the global economic meltdown, particularly the partnership between government, business, labour and community organisations to develop a joint reaction, received positive feedback from participants at the meeting as an example of how other countries could handle difficult challenges. Outcomes of this summit are expected to have implications for government's commitment to eradicate poverty through job creation and economic growth.
     

  • World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa

    The WEF on Africa, held in Cape Town from 10 to 12 June 2009, was described a success. This forum created a valuable platform for political, business, labour and community leaders on the continent to discuss the impact of the global economic meltdown on the developing world. While the discussions ranged from energy challenges to job losses, Africa was tipped to benefit from the investments that would come with hosting the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.
     

  • South Africa to continue fiscal sustainability

    The Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, pledged to continue ensuring fiscal sustainability and cracking down even harder on corruption. Minister Gordhan pointed out that among government's responses to the global economic crisis was the R787-billion infrastructure investment programme.
     

  • South African firms to get R70-billion boost

    The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will provide R70 billion of new funding over the next five years to help local companies affected by the global downturn. The IDC said it would use short-term loans, guarantees, medium-term debt and even equity to support those companies.

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