Nine Cities ready for 2010!

The 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM will be staged at 10 venues across nine South African cities – Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg and Pretoria. Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic capital, will be home to two World Cup stadiums – Soccer City and Ellis Park.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg lies in Gauteng , the wealthiest province in South Africa and forms part of the City of Johannesburg municipality. Locals have nicknamed the most populous city in South Africa “Joburg”, “Jozi” and “eGoli”.

The City of Johannesburg is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of just over three million people. Johannesburg, which was founded on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand hills, is the site of a large-scale gold trade.

The city is serviced by OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International Airport), the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

Johannesburg produces 16 % of South Africa's gross domestic product, and accounts for 40% of Gauteng's economic activity. While gold mining no longer takes place within the city limits, most mining companies have their headquarters in Johannesburg. A variety of manufacturing industries also operate in the city. Many banking and commercial companies are also located in Johannesburg and so is Africa's largest stock exchange, the JSE Securities Exchange.

The City of Johannesburg’s land area of 1 644 km² is large when compared with other cities. It also encompasses the townships of Soweto to the south west and Orange Farm and Alexandra to the north.

Event experience

Johannesburg has six major stadiums, four of which are equipped to host large-scale international events. Among the major events the city has hosted are the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1998 InternationaI Association of Athletics Federation World Cup
• All Africa Games 1999
• 2001 International Telecommunications Union Africa
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• 2004 World Summit for Sustainable Development
• 2005 World Petroleum Conference
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and power-boating events.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
The City of Johannesburg
P.O. Box 30733, Johannesburg, 2017
Tel: +27 11 407-7478

Cape Town

Cape Town is known for its beaches, sports, mountain walks, day-trips, wine-tasting, sunsets and fine dining. Cape Town is the provincial capital of the Western Cape and the legislative capital of South Africa.

Cape Town is the economic hub of the Western Cape. It also has the primary harbour and airport in the Western Cape. The large government presence in the city, both as the capital of the Western Cape and the seat of the National Parliament, has led to increased revenue and growth in industries that serve the government. Cape Town hosts many conferences, particularly in the Cape Town International Convention Centre, which opened in June 2003.

The city forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality which encompasses a large urban area with a population of 2,9 million people.

The city is blessed with famous landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point, and is South Africa’s most popular tourism choice. It has an expertly developed social and economic infrastructure, and offers excellent quality of life.

Event experience

Cape Town has hosted a number of major events, such as:

• Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
• Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon
• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• annual Sithengi - SA International Film Festival
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and cycling events.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
City of Cape Town
44 Hertzog Boulevard, 18th Floor, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: +27 21 406-7301
Fax: +27 21 418-6848

Durban

Durban, South Africa’s third-largest city in area, is an exciting hub around a busy harbour on the edge of the warm Indian Ocean.

The city is well-known for its pleasant climate and welcoming beaches. It also boasts top sporting facilities, world-class resorts and nature reserves. It has a large and diversified economy with strong manufacturing, tourism, transportation, finance and government sectors. Its coastal location and large port gives it comparative advantage over many other centres in South Africa for export-related industry.

Its port is the busiest in South Africa, as well as the busiest container port in the southern hemisphere. Durban, the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, forms part of the metropolitan municipality of eThekwini.

Event Experience

Among the major events Durban has hosted are the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• 2006 A1 Grand Prix
• annual Dusi Canoe Marathon
• annual Comrades Marathon
• annual Spar Ladies Challenge
• annual Durban July Horse Race
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and surfing events.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
eThekwini Municipality
303 West Street , 26 th Floor, Old Mutual Centre, Durban
Tel: +27 31 336-2546
Fax: +27 31 336-2614

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa’s important sea ports. The city, the largest in the Eastern Cape, lies on the south-eastern coastline of South Africa. It is known for its sunshine, temperate climate, exhilarating sea breezes and magnificent golden beaches.

The city forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality – which unites, Uitenhage and Despatch – and is named after South Africa's former President, humanitarian and world icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who was born and spent his formative years in the Eastern Cape.

About 1.5 million people inhabit Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality area, making it South Africa's fifth largest city in population size and the second largest in area.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s economy is based primarily on the automotive industry with General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford and others operating from this area. Port Elizabeth is also the closest city to the Coega Industrial Development Zone.

Event experience

Port Elizabeth has excellent and varied sporting facilities. Its many active sports clubs cater for bowling, golf, tennis, badminton, squash, volleyball, pool, darts, athletics, cycling as well as seasonal sports such as soccer, rugby, hockey, roller hockey, cricket, motor racing and more.

Among the major events the city has hosted are:

• the 1996 African Cup of Nations
• four matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup
• international test cricket and one-day matches
• the semi-finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

In 2004, Nelson Mandela Bay hosted the inaugural Ironman South Africa Triathlon championship and was awarded the enviable status of host city until 2008.

Other major events on the Nelson Mandela Bay calendar include the Splash Festival, which is the second largest beach and water sports festival in the southern hemisphere and attracts some 300 000 participants annually.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
PO Box 116 , Port Elizabeth , 6000
Tel: +27 41 502-0000 / 1 / 2

Nelspruit

Nelspruit, the capital city of the Mpumalanga province, is nestled on the Crocodile River, about 60 km west of Mozambique. The city falls under the Mbombela Local Municipality which is home to about 560 000 people. The municipality was formed in 2000 by the merger of the Hazyview, Nelspruit and White River local councils.

Mpumalanga (which means “the place of the rising sun”) is the primary gateway to the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which stretches over three countries and encompasses global wilderness icons such as the 100-year old Kruger National Park. With its subtropical climate, abundant sunshine and lush covered hills and valleys, Nelspruit forms the ideal base from which to explore Mpumalanga.

The city has two airports, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and the Nelspruit Airport and is also major stopover point for tourists traveling to the Kruger National Park and to Mozambique.

Major industries in the area include the canning of citrus fruit, paper production, furniture manufacture and timber. Fertile soils and subtropical climate provide perfect conditions for the growing of citrus and tropical fruits, mainly mango, banana, avocado and also many varieties of nuts.

Event experience

Nelspruit has hosted:

• air shows
• arts and music festivals
• agricultural festivals
• exhibitions and conferences
• centenary celebrations
• cycling tours
• the Sasol motor-racing rally
• national golf tournaments
• long-distance marathons
• the World Gold Panning Championships 2005.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
The Mbombela Local Municipality
PO Box 45, Nelspruit, 1200
Tel: +27 13 759-2257
Fax: +27 13 759-2066

Polokwane

Polokwane, previously known as Pietersburg, is the capital city of Limpopo province. It is the largest city in the north and a major economic centre. Wide streets, Jacaranda trees, colourful parks and sparkling fountains characterise the city.

Polokwane falls under the Polokwane Municipality. The municipality's area accounts for 3% of Limpopo province's total surface area and about 10% of the Limpopo's population resides here.

Polokwane, which means “a place of safety'”, is situated 60 km south of the Tropic of Capricorn and is home to just over 500 000 people. It encompasses the vibrant communities of Seshego, Mankweng and other surrounding townships.

Event experience

Polokwane frequently hosts top international athletes at its world-class facilities. Polokwane has played host to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations Cup semi-final match between South Africa's national team Bafana Bafana and Swaziland.

The city has also hosted a Group D qualifying game for the Africa Cup of Nations (scheduled for Tunisia in 2004) between Bafana Bafana and Ivory Coast. Both matches were played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

The city has also hosted the:

• World Shooting Championships
• South Africa National Indigenous Games
• Engen International Athletic Series from 2002 to 2004
• Absa National Athletics Series.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
Polokwane Municipality
PO Box 111, Polokwane 0700
Tel: +27 15 290-2000

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa, the provincial capital of the Free State and the largest urban centre in the Mangaung Local Municipality. Bloemfontein is popularly known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there.

Mangaung Local Municipality – which comprises the areas Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu – covers more than 6 300 km2 and hosts a population of more than 850 000 people (about 23% of the Free State's population). The name Mangaung means “place of the cheetahs”.

Event experience

Bloemfontein has established itself as a major event-hosting destination. World-class sporting facilities and developed infrastructure exist, and there are numerous training facilities. Among the major events hosted are the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1999, 2000 and 2001 International Super Bike Grand Prix
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and power boating events

Contact details

To find out more contact
Mangaung Municipality
PO Box 3704, Bloemfontein, 9300
Tel: +27 51 405-8101
Fax: +27 51 405-8108

Rustenburg

Rustenburg is a large town situated at the foot of the Magalies mountain range in the North West province of South Africa. Just outside the town are the largest platinum mines in the world and the largest platinum refinery, which processes about 70% of the world's platinum.

The town is surrounded by a fertile farming area producing citrus fruit, tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle.

Rustenburg forms part of the Rustenburg Local Municipality area – which incorporates Marikana, Monakato and some rural villages. The Rustenburg Local Municipality has a population of about 400 000 and is centrally located within the North West province and is easily accessible from major South African urban centers.

Event experience

Professional clubs in South Africa frequently choose to play home league matches in the city.

Major events hosted include:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• South African National Athletics Championships.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
Rustenburg Municipality
PO Box 16, Rustenburg, 0300
Tel: +27 14 590-3485
Fax: +27 14 590-3003

Pretoria

Pretoria is a progressive city whose charm lies in its harmonious blend of African roots and European traditions. It is a city where history meets 21st century style and development, where vibrant township scenes complement modern shopping centres.

Pretoria is an important industrial centre, with heavy industries including iron and steel casting as well as automobile, railroad and machinery manufacture. The city has the second largest number of embassies in the world after Washington, D.C. It serves as the executive (administrative) capital city of the country.

Pretoria falls under the City of Tshwane metropolitan area and lies in Gauteng province. It incorporates 13 former local authorities: Pretoria, Centurion, Akasia and Soshanguve, Mabopane, Atteridgeville, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveld, Hammanskraal, Temba, Pienaarsrivier, Crocodile River and Mamelodi. The City of Tshwane metro area covers 3 200 km2 and is home to about 2.2 million people.

Event experience

The City of Tshwane plays host to numerous local, national and international sporting events. The most recent and memorable sporting events include the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1999 All Africa Games
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• World Tug of War championships
• World Junior Chess championships
• International Karate championships.