Zuma: SA ready to host successful World Cup

“The hosting of the FIFA World Cup makes 2010 truly a year of action. We have spent many years planning for this World Cup. We only have three months to go and we are determined to make a success of it,” Zuma said.

“The infrastructure, security and logistics arrangements are in place to ensure a successful tournament,” he pointed out.

Zuma also saluted the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC)'s efforts and wished them good luck ahead of June kick-off.

Furthermore, he thanked former president Nelson Mandela - who attended the proceedings in a rare public appearance since retiring - for playing what he called a ‘central' role in assisting the country to win the rights to host the world's biggest soccer show.

“We therefore have to make the World Cup a huge success in his honour,” said the embattled president, who is currently caught up in a web of infidelity. He urged South Africans to buy tickets timeously and stand behind the national team Bafana Bafana.

Safety is a prime concern

Debate continues to rage in many European soccer circles, mostly in Germany and UK, about Africa's ability to host a safe and sound World Cup, especially after the Togo national team was attacked last month in Cabinda, Angola, during the Africa Cup of Nations.

Two people were killed during that attack - an incident Afro-pessimists capitalised on to strengthen their case that SA, one of the world's most violent places, was not ready to host a tournament of such magnitude.

Zuma remains optimistic, however, stating that his government is working hard to ensure that everyone in South Africa feels safe and is safe.

He said: “We are implementing plans to increase the number of police men and women by 10% over the next three years.

“We have identified the fight against hijacking, business and house robberies, as well as contact crimes such as murder, rape, and assault, as top priorities…and ensure that the justice system works efficiently.

“We all have a role to play. Let us participate in community safety forums.”

Zuma's first night-time speech coincided with the 20th anniversary of Mandela's release from prison.

Blatter batters Africa bashers

Meanwhile, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that FIFA president Sepp Blatter this week came to defence of SA, saying that those who doubt SA's ability to host the 2010 World Cup belong to an anti-Africa movement.

"Eleven million tourists travel every year to South Africa, and last week an ATP tournament was played in Johannesburg, and they didn't die," Blatter, told German news agency Deutsche-Press Agentur (DPA) from Vancouver, Canada, according to a SAPA report carried by News24.com.

"It's kind of an anti-Africa movement, this is not right," Blatter said.

"There is still in the so called 'old world' a feeling that why the hell should South Africa organise a World Cup. Why the hell?

"It was easier for them to go down to Africa, the colonialists in the past hundred years, to take out all the best, and now to take out all the best footballers.

"And when you have to give something back they don't want to go. What's that? It is a lack of respect, a lack of respect for the whole of Africa."