R571.1 million for Joburg's 2010 projects
21 May 2009
The City of Johannesburg will receive a total of R571.1 million for its 2010 FIFA World Cup projects in the current financial year, including R80 million for the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) and R35 million for fan parks and public viewing sites, Joburg mayor Amos Masondo revealed yesterday, Wednesday 20 May 2009, at the city's 2009/10 budget presentation in Braamfontein.
“The city has made a number of infrastructure investments which will ensure that we successfully host the world cup, and leave a lasting legacy for our people beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” Masondo told the media.
Upgrade
A total of R110 million will go towards 2010's various projects and R346.1 million will be used to fund the upgrade of Soccer City Stadium, the Nasrec Precinct and the Klipspruit River in Soweto, he added.
The IBC, a sophisticated media centre where more than 15 000 local and international journalists will be housed and work during the world cup, is currently being built at the cost of R120 million at Nasrec Precinct - a five-minute walk from Soccer City (ex FNB Stadium) and SAFA House near Soweto.
“The construction of the IBC is going very well and is 40% complete,” Sibongile Mazibuko, head of Joburg's 2010 projects, told Bizcommunity.com on the sidelines of the media briefing.
Some current major highlights of the construction include the building of a bridge between IBC and Soccer City, where journalists will walk back and forth, and the installation of fibre by Telkom for telecommunications purposes, she said.
Broadcasting feeds
Sentec is busy installing satellites to facilitate broadcasting feeds for the event, Mazibuko said, adding that the construction of houses and flats to serve as media workers' dormitories is set to begin in June.
Mazibuko emphasised that the IBC is not to be used for the Confederations Cup, but for the world cup. “We are satisfied with what we have done so far and believe that we will deliver the facility on time,” she said.
The city's 2009/10 total budget amounts to R26 billion and is made up of R3.5 billion capital budget and a total operating budget of about R22.7 billion. The capital budget is lower than the 2008/9 budget, mostly due to the completion of big projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Joburg officials said the budget has been prepared amid challenges and constraints faced by the city in the current economic slowdown.
About Issa Sikiti da Silva
Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.
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