Local government backs World Cup

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has given a promise of full cooperation to the ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2003 and called for municipalities to strive for "collective ownership" of the 54-match tournament in order to make it an event of which all South Africans could be proud.

ICC Cricket World Cup executive director Ali Bacher and members of his organising committee briefed SALGA during the association's two-day national executive committee meeting in Pretoria.

Bacher explained that a record 14 teams would be contesting the biggest cricket World Cup since the tournament's inception in 1975, and that local government was being asked to play an important role. He said his committee had been warmly received by the Executive Mayors in those areas where World Cup matches will be played.

Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Executive Mayor of Tshwane and chairperson of the meeting, described the organising of the World Cup as "a monumental task" but did not doubt that Bacher's passion for cricket would ensure that it was successfully accomplished.

The national executive meeting was attended by 40 delegates from all provinces representing South Africa's 284 municipalities. Delegates are either Executive Mayors or Speakers of municipalities. Amongst those who attended the meeting were Clr Hazel Jenkin (Speaker of Karoo District Council, Northern Cape), Nomusa Dube (Speaker of Durban Metro, Kwazulu Natal), Clr Mntomuhle Khawula (Mayor of Ugu District Council, Kwazulu Natal), Clr Sakie Somyo (Executive Mayor of Amatola District, Eastern Cape), and Clr S Dikoko (Executive Mayor Klerksdorp Council, North West). SALGA agreed to mobilise municipalities to provide infrastructure (transport, facilities, traffic control and a safe environment) for all the matches in South Africa.

Bacher later told a media conference: "We are most appreciative of this support because SALGA is very, very important to us to ensure that the organisation (of the tournament) is excellently executed. It is vital therefore that we enjoy a close association and working relationship."

Bacher gave as an example of the need for close cooperation the planned traffic-free zones around each of the 12 World Cup-hosting stadiums in South Africa where the plan is to create a carnival atmosphere of music and fun around which informal traders will be licensed to sell the tournament's official merchandise.

Thabo Mokwena, SALGA's Chief Executive Officer, told the media: "It is very clear to us that the various municipalities will have to play a very meaningful role in making this cricket World Cup a big success. There will be definite benefits (of this) for our communities and we should take collective ownership (or the event) and be proud of it. This is the issue that SALGA will champion with our municipalities to make it a collective project."

Among the important events that local municipalities will enjoy are Civic Receptions which the respective mayors will host for those teams based in their cities before the start of the tournament on February 8, 2003.

Bacher also disclosed that permission is being sought from the International Cricket Council (ICC), who own the Tournament rights, for important lead-up games involving visiting teams to be staged in previously disadvantaged areas around the hosting cities.

Venues earmarked are at Soweto, Lenasia, Laudium, Chatsworth, Motherwell (Port Elizabeth), Fort Hare, Langa and Mangaung (Bloemfontein).