July 7, 2006

By Jermaine Craig and Bulelani Philip

Berlin: Today will be an emotional day for South Africa as the country is formally handed the reins of Africa’s first World Cup – a day which, according to Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish, proves that “if you believe, dreams can come true”.

President Thabo Mbeki is due to be there in Berlin as Fifa president Sepp Blatter presides at a ceremony at which South Africa will take over from Germany 2006 as the hosts of World Cup 2010.

There will also be a concert at the Brandenburg Gate this evening titled “Football for a Better World – From Germany to South Africa”. Fifa says the event will be broadcast to 120 countries.

Alongside Mbeki at the concert, where a symbolic handing over of the 2010 World Cup takes place, will be UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Blatter and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

For “Chippa” Masinga, the man who scored the famous long-range goal against Congo which enabled Bafana to qualify for their first World Cup appearance, in France in 1998, today is a great moment.

“It will be a great day, not only for South Africa but for the whole of Africa. We’ve waited for this for so long and now it’s really happening. We’re hosting the World Cup in Africa, in our own country,” said Masinga, who, with Fish, will be one of our 2010 ambassadors in Berlin today.

They will be joined by African greats including Lucas Radebe, LiberiaÂ’s George Weah, GhanaÂ’s Abedi Pele, CameroonÂ’s Roger Milla, ZambiaÂ’s Kalusha Bwalya and MoroccoÂ’s Mustapha Hadji.


It is estimated that the World Cup will boost SA’s economy by R21 billion and create more than 150 000 jobs, with the government budgeting R5bn to build and renovate 10 stadiums for the tournament – and billions more to upgrade the transport network.

While conceding it would be a challenge taking the World Cup to Africa for the first time, Blatter strongly supported South Africa.

“In South Africa there are problems. Will the stadiums be built? Will they be on time? We are aware of the great task that is required for staging the World Cup, and South Africa needs help.

“We have established our own secretariat in Johannesburg and we shall take charge of ticketing,” Blatter said.

An 80-strong South African delegation consisting of MPs, local government officials, stadium managers, the police and football officials has been to Germany for briefings with Fifa.

Mbeki will be accompanied at the handing-over today by the Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad, Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Moleketi, Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamani-Zuma and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

[email]jermaine.craig@inl.co.za/bulelanip@incape.co.za[/email]

besides from listening to the voices in your head.....

what tunes are you listening to right now?

I am listening to Rodriquies (cold fact)

found it hiding in the back of my hard-drive,

oh, my the memories that return too me! LOL, I was a bad boy in those days! LOL.

well the weekend is upon us once again!!!

may it be a happy one for all..... :thumbs:

Happy Birthday to the 2 of you

:bday2:

may you have a grand time of it

a Happy Happy Birthday to you, penelope

:bday3:

may you have a wonderful day

Read more here......

ue: :chef: ok:

Visited Tesco today and what did I find? Giant guavas! 5 of them! :cloud9: Sorry to anyone else in the Bourneouth area who is looking for some...

actually make it 26 degrees C in the shade



a scorcher this side ...




enough for my 1 in 8 mcamp to wear a costume with all the weightloss etc now that the marathon is coming to the end .. dont mention Ade he will be green with envy that mcamp is my mate

Check out this website - very interesting.

:rainy:

The blocked drains that are denting city's global ambitions
From Ashling O'Connor in Bombay

HEAVY monsoon rains lashed Bombay for a fifth consecutive day yesterday, submerging the commercial capital and dampening the GovernmentÂ’s ambition to turn the city into a global financial hub to rival Shanghai and Singapore.

Commuters were forced to wade through murky, knee-deep water as the cityÂ’s 150-year-old drainage system struggled to cope with the deluge, which is forecast to continue for several days.

In the worst-affected suburbs, residents floated along the streets, while the authorities battled the floods with electric pumps. Flights were disrupted as the runway was shut.

Read more......

There is always something to be thankful for....