Programme Director, Executive Mayors, The Members of the Mayoral Committees, Municipal Managers, 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup Task Team members, and Members of the media

Good Morning

Let me first take this opportunity to thank all members of the media who have heeded our call for this media briefing. We are aware that there might have been more other appealing stories today but you chose to honour our invitation, we really appreciate it.

I know for a fact that your presence here today will assist us in informing the public about the state of readiness of our region in relation to the 2010 World Cup.

I'm sure the Mayors, MMC's and MM's here will agree with me that our biggest stakeholders in 2010 World Cup are the public. So we are relying on you ladies and gentlemen from the media, to inform, educate and entertain them as far as the World Cup is concerned.

Allow me to q one of the highly rated African Journalist Rageh Omaar, when he said "It's up to Africa and its media to blow its own trumpet on the new developments as they prepare for the World Cup. This will suppress any negative reporting from the international media".

That is why we felt as Sedibeng that there is a need to interact with you members of the media with the intention of presenting and sharing with you such developments. These developments are made possible by our 2010 Task Team that you see here today.

Let me take this opportunity and introduce this team to you. The team is made of officials from the three local Municipalities and the Sedibeng District Municipality.

The first team I want to introduce is the Joint Operation Centre Team led by Gerrie Deysel. This is the team that made this room what it is today.

The second team is Swiss Liaison Team led by Motswaledi Makhutle. This team's responsibility is to coordinate and support travel arrangements for the Swiss Team. It also provides all backup services and support of the Swiss.

Then there is the Ivory Coast team under Stanley Gaba. Its responsibility is the same as the Swiss team.

And then we have one of the most crucial teams, the Safety and Security Team. This team, led by Aaron Makhubo will have to ensure that safety and security arrangements of camping teams are in place.  Liaise with SAPS to ensure that Disaster Management Plan is in place. Ensure our public viewing sites are safe and secure for our communities to watch the games.

Then there's the Media, Marketing and Publicity team which is expected to address your needs as the media. It has to ensure that through the media, our communities are informed of the activities taking place. If you have anything, you go to this team. Its members are Farhad Safi and Klaas Mofomme.

The next one is the Protocol team. This team has to ensure that there is support for all VIP's visiting our area. It also ensures that local political heads are included in programmes of visiting VIP's.

The other team is the Tourism Team, which is led by Rene Pelser with the assistance of Lenah Nkele. This team is responsible for ensuring that heritage, sporting and other tours are ready for tourists. It is also expected to coordinate tourist information points.

The next team is the Recreation, Entertainment and Games team led by Ben Manzi. It has to ensure that our PVA's are ready for the event. And also to ensure that entertainment between games is arranged.

Last but not least is the Community Mobilization team. They will have to ensure that there is attendance at Primary PVA's. Ensure that members of our communities participate in the planned activities.

The last one will be the Health and Cleansing Team. This is the team that carries the responsible of making sure that private clinics are ready for tourists and locals who require private medical services. They will have to make sure that public hospitals are ready.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our 2010 task team. These are the men and women who are going to make us proud.

Feel it, it is here!

I thank you.