The Global Media Face Off which took place in the ICC Auditorium on Sunday, 11 May, focused on three key 2010 issues: the nation’s state of readiness for the championship, the legacy that 2010 is bringing; and the extent to which the championship is uniting the nation and the region.

The event was hosted by CNN news reporter and anchor, Fionnuala Sweeney and was attended by more than 200 journalists from all over the world.

Deputy Minister Jabu Moleketi said a number of government departments (such as the Department of Safety and Security and the Department of Transport) were contractually bound to FIFA to deliver in terms of their World Cup obligations.

He was confident that there would be enough electricity come 2010, that there would be no power crisis at matches and that peripheral facilities (such as the transport network, hotels and private homes) would not suffer power shortages. “Each of the stadia will be powered by generators with the national supply grid serving as a backup,” he said.

“South Africa does have an electricity challenge at the moment. However, we have solutions being implemented and we have capable people in charge. The issue is being proactively managed and solved,” he said.

On concerns about safety and security the Deputy Minister said the Department of Safety and Security had invested an additional R1.3 billion (over baseline expenditure) to ensure the safety of visitors to the World Cup.

South African Tourism CEO, Moeketsi Mosola added that South Africa had hosted numerous global events and had not once, during those events, seen an incident where the safety of a visitor had been compromised.

“We have done all we can, and we’re going to do all we can, to ensure the safety of all our guests during 2010,” Mosola said.

Danny Jordaan, CEO of the FIFA Local Organising Committee told journalists it did not surprise him that rumours abounded about this nation’s state of readiness for 2010 about stadia not being ready on time and about FIFA’s apparent ‘Plan B’ to move the championship to another host nation should South Africa fail to be ready on time.

“Every nation that has hosted a big event has suffered such myths,” he said, offering stories about Athens’ readiness for the Olympics and Germany’s readiness for the last World Cup as evidence.

“The truth,” he said, “is that our stadiums will be ready by October 2009… eight months before the FIFA Opening Ceremony and FIFA simply has no ‘Plan B’. It’s simply not true.”

Mr Jordaan had “absolutely no doubt” that there was capacity enough to accommodate the 450 000 fans expected for the championship month. “Already,” he said, “South Africa accommodates in the region of 750 000 tourists a month, why should we not be able to accommodate the 450 000 expected in June to July of 2010?”

South African Tourism CEO, Moeketsi Mosola said grading of non-hotel accommodation for 2010 would leave a legacy for the industry and was already building capability and boosting global competitiveness.

“2010 is bringing a legacy for emerging establishments, such as township B&Bs that are being graded.”

Mosola was “absolutely confident,” he told the world’s press that South Africa would attain its target of 10 million visitors by 2010. These arrivals and the attention of the world on this destination would establish the tourism potential of the entire region, and grow arrivals not only to South Africa, but also to our neighbours to establish southern Africa as a new and exciting destination.

“Tourism really is everybody’s business,” said Lebo Malepa. “There is a world of opportunities for people who want to build a business in this industry. You need to work hard; you need creativity and dedication. 2010 is going to be great. Bring it on!”

First National Bank, said Derek Carstens, was delighted to be a sponsor of the World Cup… not only because it made good business sense for the bank, but also because it was a way of demonstrating the bank’s commitment to nation building and infrastructural development. “South Africans know that companies who invest in 2010 are worthy of their support.”

MTN was committed, said Nozipho January-Bardill, to connecting the unconnected. “Football engenders an emotional response in people and we are investing in communication technology, such as undersea cables, to enable people to share the excitement and the emotions.”

The Global Media Face Off laid to rest the negative myths and stories around South Africa’s readiness to host on the of the greatest events ever. Without a doubt South Africa is ready to host an authentically African Football World Cup.

This year’s Global Media face Off panelists were Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Jabu Moloketi; FIFA South Africa Local Organising Committee CEO, Mr Danny Jordaan; South African Tourism CEO, Mr Moeketsi Mosola; Group Executive, Corporate Affairs at MTN, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill; Mr Derek Carstens, Brand Director at FNB; and Lebo Malepa, owner of Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers.