Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> 1-15 Sep 2006
With South Africa set to host the Soccer World Cup tournament May / June 2010, the eyes of the world will be fixed on this country and especially on the nine cities with their 10 venues named to host the various soccer matches, one of which is Mangaung Local Municipality.
In total 3 million tickets for the various games of the tournament will be up for sale for spectators both locally and internationally. South Africa and also Mangaung area could expect an influx of tourists like never before.
In order to deal in good time and on high international standards with the situation, the Mangaung Local Municipality and the Free State Province have established a 2010 committee structure to oversee preparations for 2010. In turn, these committees have created sub-committees categorised in accordance with the requirements of FIFA for hosting the World Cup.
Currently the sub-committees are in a process of finalizing business plans to ensure that detailed financial costing is done and that an integrated planning approach is followed. These business plans cover all aspects of preparing Mangaung for the hosting of 2010 FIFA World Cup, including possibly the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Stadium & training facilities
Scope of work
As part of its preparation, the City has to upgrade the Free State Stadium as the local venue for hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. According to the FIFA inspection report the stadium upgrade will mainly cover the following:
Adding a second tier on the western pavilion to increase stadium seating capacity to 47 000, excluding VIP seats and media facility.
The modification will require removal of the existing roof and construction of a new upper tier
Media centre and media seating for press, radio and telecommunication
Venue operating centre for security and CCTV
Provision of security perimeters (including CCTV cameras)
Floodlights upgrading to increase illuminaire to the required 1500 lux
Upgrading of public address sound system
New turnstiles installed for improved controlled flow of spectators
Current progress
The City started the tendering process for the appointment of a professional service provider for the redesign of the stadium in March 2006. Following that a BKS-Iliso Consortium was appointed in June 2006 to carry out the redesign of the stadium as well as managing the construction phase.
Currently the City is in discussions with the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and National Treasury on the finalization of the business plan for the stadium upgrade. The final upgrade cost will depend on the outcome of these discussions.
It is envisaged that the seating capacity will be increased to 47 000 and that construction for the upgrade will commence in February 2007, with completion date June 2008.
Transportation and other infrastructure
One of the key areas in ensuring a successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is the roads infrastructure around the main venues such as the stadium, the airport, CBD, hotels, bus terminal, railway station, etc. The roads infrastructure must be able to handle the traffic during the event and should allow user friendly access.
The City has submitted priority statements to the national Department of Transport for funds for transport related projects such as:
Integration of taxi ranks, railway station and bus terminus
Pedestrianisation of some roads to encourage non-motorised transport
Widening of key roads to minimise congestion
The total amount for these projects is expected to exceed R400 million.
Other sub-committees are currently finalizing business plans in respect of water services, electricity, solid waste management, tourist information, hospitality and information and communication technology.
Tourist information
The upgrading of the existing Tourism Centre must support the 2010 objectives in respect of providing effective services to tourists visiting the City. This include assistance with any information relating to accommodation, security, emergency services, wireless communication, restaurants, how to get around the City, tourist sights, tour operators, etc. In addition information kiosks will be established across the municipal area.
Key projects to be addressed are:
Upgrading of the Tourism Information Centre and Information Kiosks
Tourism directional signage
Implementing a training and development programme for the sector
Communication and marketing strategy aligned to brand SA
Implementation of plan to ensure sufficient accommodation facilities
Establishment of Fan Parks / Public viewing areas
Hospitality
FIFA expects the LOC to ensure availability of suitable and sufficient accommodation based on guidelines from FIFA. This includes services such as restaurants, places of leisure, etc.
Current situation
The Mangaung area currently has 6 750 beds (hotels, guest houses and self-catering) available.
Requirements
For 2010, 25 000 beds are required for matches up to quarter finals, to be provided in accordance with FIFA standards and guidelines
Provision for FIFA family (referees, teams, officials, etc) according to FIFA guidelines
Provision for supporters ± 40 000 per venueProgress made
Profress made
Existing database broadened to include Free State, Lesotho and Kimberly accommodation facilities
Home-based stay will form part of the planning. Criteria are being developed for possible grading of this category of accommodation
Depending on the exact date of the event, accommodation facilities from education institutions may also be considered
The City will be arranging meeting with developers and interested parties to establish future hotels, etc. to be built so that details form part of the planning process
Information and Communication Technology
The responsible committee needs to look at what has to be done to ensure upgrading and refurbishment of the ICT infrastructure to ensure a reliable system conforming to FIFA requirements. The involvement of different stakeholders, including the private sector, is required.
FIFA expects IT solutions to address the following systems:
Accreditation guarantees security by tracking information on persons applying for accreditation and by producing passes for approved individuals to allow access to specific secure areas. The system is to be linked to security, SIS, protocol, accommodation and transport
Protocol assists in the provision of correct and appropriate services for VIP's
Transport monitoring of effectiveness of transport system for players, officials, VIP's, media representatives and freight
Accommodation system to plan and track accommodation
Ticketing computerised system to manage the issuing and sale of tickets, as well as the allocation of seats
Stadium access system Controlled access to venues
Volunteer Management, Staff Information System (SIS) manages volunteers and other staff recruited to work during the event
Materials and logistics manages the logistical side of delivering material to all venues and other locations
Office automation support the requirements if the host city as required by FIFA and LOC
Groupware provides functionality in relation to email, bulletin boards, contact lists, electronic workflow for basic approval of documents, etc.
Results system provides results and information in real time to the media, spectators and viewers
Media system provides media with relevant event-related data and information
Security and immigration produce data extracts and reports to satisfy security-related requirements
Network provides voice and data connectivity between key venues used by FIFA
Safety and Security
This area is driven nationally as well as provincially, with the focus on security at airports, hotels, stadiums, training sites, international broadcast centre, media centre and any official area.
The responsible sub-committee is currently developing business plans and operational plans to ensure full compliance to national safety and security plans.
Disaster management, medical services and emergency services
Provision of these services is necessary to comply with FIFA requirements in respect of ensuring
Comprehensive medical service
24-hour emergency services
Emergency services on standby for match days
Availability of personnel and fleet to ensure these services are achieved and response time meets minimum requirements from FIFA
Also in this respect the responsible sub-committee is developing business plans and operational plans to ensure full compliance to national safety and security plans.
Resumι
On 22 August 2006 the CEO of the 2010 Organizing Committee, Dr. Danny Jordaan and a staff contingent visited Mangaung for the first meeting of the 2010 Host Cities Forum after completion of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The 2010 Host Cities Forum was hosted by the Executive Mayor for Mangaung, Ms. Getrude Mothupi. At the meeting and at a subsequent media conference, Dr. Jordaan expressed his satisfaction at the state of preparation for 2010 by Mangaung at this stage.
The preparation process is being monitored on a continuous basis.
Any person, business or stakeholder wishing to obtain more information into making further inputs into the preparation process, is welcome to do so by contacting the City Coordinator, George Mohlakoana at tel. (051) 405 8203, fax (051) 405 8750 or email george@civic.mangaung.co.za.
With tourism identified on national level as one of the main economic drivers, it is realized that only those who are aware of how Tourism enriches actually stand to benefit from the economic spin-offs generated through tourism. Therefore this year's theme for Tourism Month is to raise awareness on:
How tourism can enrich people
What should people do for tourism to enrich them
What kind of support is there to enable tourism to enrich people
In the Free State to get this message through to its stakeholders, the Free State Tourism Authority is proposing an approach which links up with the rolling out of the Provincial Tourism Strategy. This strategy requires that in pursuing its objectives, the FSTA aims at integrating its programs with the operations of all other spheres of governments as well as with tourism-related structures in the private sector.
At national level, communication has already taken place at the CEO's Forum hosted in Tembisa on 14 July 2006 by the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT). This year Mpumalanga is hosting the national celebrations of World Tourism Day on 27 September.
The Provincial Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs through its Tourism Directorate has already started with the following programmes normally part of Tourism Month:
ETEYA Awards
Tourism School Competition
Tourism BEE Charter launch
Tour Guide training program
The FSTA is linking up with these actions through a specific program of action, the details of which are to be released as this month progresses. See in this respect the 15 September 2006 edition of the Free State Business Bulletin.
Galloping weekend tourist destination
The well-watered Northern Free State, also known as the Fezile Dabi region, with its rustic rural atmosphere offers ideal weekend leisure or stopover.
Abundant water facilities, ample opportunities for outdoor activities and burgeoning nature conservancies offer weekend getaways in a class of its own. As can be seen in this feature, the region constitutes indeed a haven for outdoor activities and sports of almost every conceivable kind. This is being fuelled by the expanding growth of established events suchas the Dome Adventure Festival at Parys annually in October, while exciting new events like the hosting of the Equitation World Cup at Parys in December this year are lending new impetus.
All this is being crowned by the declaration in 2005 of the Dome Area as a World Heritage Site, opening up immeasurable new tourism development opportunities.
Indeed is the Northern Free State not only galloping as a weekend tourist destination, it is exploding!
Equitation World Cup for Parys
The Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Competition is to be held at Parys from 4-10 December 2006.Canada, the United Kingdom, Namibia and South Africa will be competing for the World Cup Trophy during this event.
At the same venue the Northern Gauteng Saddle Horse Open Championships will simultaneously be presented.
Some 5 000 spectators are expected to frequent the show daily. MNet Super Sport will be broadcasting the event along with SABC News.
Information Centre for Dome
Fezile Dabi District Municipality recently received a grant of R12 million from the National Social Responsibility Fund for the building of a Gateway Information & Activity Centre at the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site close to Vredefort.
Phethogo Consulting from Bloemfontein, who has prepared the business plan for the project in 2002 and again in 2004, was appointed by DEAT as the implementing agent for the project. Construction of the centre is to start shortly.
The site for the development was made available by the Ngwathe Local Municipality in terms of a long term lease agreement. The project makes provision for an information/interpretation centre, administrative offices, exhibition area, informal trade section, security parking, outdoor arena, catering facilities and ablution facilities.
Fezile Dabi District Municipality also provided additional funds in its 2006 / 2007 budget to contribute towards the upgrading of access roads to the proposed centre.
Research is presently being conducted to determine the nature of activities and programmes, personnel component as well as infrastructure and equipment needed to ensure a world class centre.
More graded facilities
The Fezile Dabi District Municipality has successfully offered an incentive to tourism product owners that have resulted in increasing graded tourism facilities from only 1 to 24 graded facilities in the Northern Free State.
Following the SA Tourism Grading Workshop that took place during January 2005, Fezile Dabi District Municpality has looked at ways and means to encourage accommodation facilities to apply for grading at the SA Tourism Grading Council with a view to ensuring acceptable standards of service in the local tourism industry. A once-off subsidy of R2000 per successful SAT Grading per product is offered to tourism product owners by the District Municipality.
A full list of the graded facilities is available at the District Municipality.
Meer sport by Koepel Avontuurfees
Die Koepel Avontuurfees wat vanjaar van 6-8 Oktober 2006 op en om Parys aangebied word, gaan meer sport en aktiwiteite aanbied as ooit te vore op hierdie stadium 19 sportdissiplines in totaal. Die jongste toevoegings is tennis en muurbal.
Wat verder op die program is, sluit in twee padwedlope van 25 km en 10 km onderskeidelik en 'n 5 km pretstap. Vir die fietsren word 200 deelnemers verwag en vir die Dragon Boats ongeveer 500.
Vir die avontuurlustiges is daar 'n game drive met quads oor die berge met 'n verwagte 300 deelnemers, terwyl die EnduroRally met ongeveer 200 deelnemers, asook die 4x4 ren, baie opwinding beloof.
Ander sporte sluit in pluimbal, jukskei, krieket en veerpyltjies, terwyl luggeweerskiet, boogskiet, rolbal, vlugbal, perdry, suikerkaskenades en skyfskiet ook beplan word.
Die vliegveld beplan radiobeheerde vliegtuie, lugbalonne en sweeftuie, terwyl veteraanmotors en Harley-Davidsons ook op die program is. Vir meer inligting skakel 056 811 4000 of info@parys.co.za of besoek www.parys.info.
Sun to Moon Bergfietsren
Hierdie bergfietsuithouren word op 7 Oktober 2006 op die plaas Lesothokraal in die distrik Vredefort aangebied as deel van die Koepel Avontuurfees 2006. Dit is 'n afloswedren bestaande uit twee ryers per span wat om 12:00 (Sun) begin en eindig om 24:00 (Moon).
Vir meer besonderhede, besoek webtuiste www.entrytime.co.za of skakel 083 666 0543 of andre@parysonline.co.za.
Deneysville highlights
2 September: Mid-year waterbird count. Vaaldam is now recognized as an IBA (Important Birding Area), not only in South Africa, but in the world. At the Big Bird Count sponsored by Sasol in January this year, 76 501 blackwinged pratincoles were counted in one morning, more than was thought existed in the world! They migrated here from the Steppes of Russia.
9-10 September: Big Boat Race & Harbour Festival. Sponsored by Pam Golding Properties, Manten Marina and Saucer Pub & Grill. Held at Seal Point Yacht Club, Vaaldam. Regatta for boats larger than 28 feet. Also a handicap section enabling slower and less experienced yachtsmen to take part. Also stalls for local fine arts and crafts.
21-25 September: DAC Inland Keelboat Regatta. At Deneysville Aquatic Club. Largest inland keelboat regatta in the country. Many racing classes, e.g. L26 class used in the Lipton Cup Challenge. Besides class trophies, handicap trophy for entries of any size and of course the Admiral's Trophy for the winning club.
Promotion of crafts
Crafts development has been identified as one of the focus programmes for the small business development sector in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality's LED Programme for the 2006/2007 financial year.
Although crafters in the Northern Free State region does not enjoy as vast a market as their counterparts in other more popular tourism regions, a definite market share have been identified. A pre-requirement for selling crafts is that products must be authentic, of high quality and must reflect the culture of the area.
In negotiations to find possible markets with outside buyers and selling points, two main problems has been identified, viz. with exceptions, crafts from the region are sub-standard, while the variety of crafts are limited with all tending to make the same products.
In order to assist crafters whose work is not on standard at the moment, a Crafters Week is planned for October 2006. The District Municipality together with selected experts in the crafts industry will beforehand visit each municipal area to view crafts and make recommendations as to participation.
Covering an area stretching from Ventersburg in the south, to Hoopstad in the north and Boshof in the west and including the traditional Goldfields of the Free State, the Lejweleputswa region offers a wide variety of tourism jewels - some already glittering and some waiting to be discovered.
Ignatius Sehoole - Executive President of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountans (SAICA)
Amid all the protests over ostensibly high audit fees, South African businesses, large and small, would benefit from taking a step back to contemplate the value they get for the money they spend on business advice from a Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)].
It goes without saying that all businesses need accurate financial information in order to grow and prosper.
I suggest that Chartered Accountants, especially those in public practise, are ideally suited to provide such information, given that they receive rigorous practical training, have a wide range of practical business experience and are required to pass challenging qualifying examinations before they are recognised as CAs(SA).
I am not the first to characterise the properly qualified CAs(SA) in public practise as the general practitioners of the financial world an appropriate personification, since they offer the expert knowledge and integrity to provide all organisations, large and small, with high quality advice on all aspects of running a business.
In addition, when using a CA(SA) you are assured of complete confidentiality as a strict Code of Professional Conduct, which includes a disciplinary procedure in the event of malpractice, this binds all CAs(SA).
The essence of professionalism is an attitude a commitment to high standards. The following are regarded as being distinguishing characteristics of the profession:
Integrity,
Mastery of a particular intellectual skill, acquired by education and training,
Acceptance of duties to society as a whole in addition to duties to the client and employer,
An outlook which is essentially objective.
Rendering personal services to a high standard of conduct and performance, and
Ethics
It is the adherence to these professional characteristics and the fundamental principles contained in the Code that enhances the status of a CA(SA).
You may only need a CA(SA) to help you with a major financial decision once in a while, or you may need one to help keep your business on track and in the good books of the South African Revenues Service (SARS).
Whatever your financial and business advisory needs, a CA(SA) can meet them.
How to Contact a Chartered Accountant
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants has four regional offices and a national office in Johannesburg. They would be happy to assist you to find a Chartered Accountant for your business and personal requirements. See contact details to the right.
ABOUT SAICA:
The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) is the pre-eminent accountancy body in South Africa. It has established itself as one of the leading institutes in the world, playing its part in a highly dynamic business sector. It provides a wide range of support services to its members, who hold the designation Chartered Accountant (South Africa) or CA(SA), enabling them to play a key role in developing the rapidly changing South African economy.
SAICA's MISSION:
The mission of SAICA is to serve the interests of the Chartered Accountancy profession and society, by upholding professional standards and integrity, and the pre-eminence of South African CAs nationally and internationally, by:
Delivering competent entry level members,
Providing services to assist members to maintain and enhance their professional competence thereby enabling them to create value for their clients and employers,
Enhancing the quality of information used in the private and public sectors for measuring and enhancing organisational performance,
Running and facilitating programmes to transform the profession and to facilitate community upliftment, and
Fulfilling a leadership role regarding relevant business related issues and providing reliable and respected public commentary.
INTERNATIONAL:
SAICA is actively involved in international activities. It holds a seat on the Council of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), and on the Board of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), and belongs to the prestigious "Group of Ten" the ten leading institutes world-wide, and CAGE (the Chartered Accountants Group of Executives) - the seven major Chartered Institutes.
SAICA plays an influential role in the Eastern, Central & Southern African Federation of Accountants (ECSAFA). The main objective of ECSAFA is the co-ordinated development of the accountancy profession and the promotion of internationally recognised standards of professional competence and conduct in the Eastern, Central and Southern regions of Africa. The Board of SAICA believes that international contact and co-operation is fundamental to the standing and image of the SAICA designations.
BENEFITS OF SAICA MEMBERSHIP:
Apart from benefiting from the use of SAICA's prestigious designations, members and associates are offered a wide range of services. These include, amongst others, ongoing professional education, career guidance, networking opportunities, technical advice, tax and legal advisory services, facilitation and drafting of legislation, as well as government lobbying. The Institute produces many valuable publications which provide guidance to members and associates. Publications include the SAICA Handbook, Accountancy SA, Techtalk and Integritax. The Accountancy SA, Techtalk and Integritax. The Institute also has a reference library and it runs a wide range of seminars and workshops around the country for members, associates and trainee accountants.
MEMBER STATISTICS
As at July 2006 SAICA's membership totalled 25 346.
Deur al die wel en weλ van die mensdom deur die eeue heen, bly 'n mooi troue een van die mooiste momente denkbaar. 'n Bruid is altyd pragtig en selfs verbygangers staan en vertoef 'n oomblik om 'n bruid en 'n troue gade te slaan.
'n Troue is ook een van die belangrikste gebeurtenisse in die ganse menslike reis tussen wieg en graf.
Dit is ook besonder insiggewend dat die Seun van God sy eerste wonderwerk op aarde by 'n troue gedoen het.
In hierdie spesiale oorsig word die troubedryf in fokus gebring deur entrepreneurs voor te stel wat mense kan help om 'n troue te omskep in die sprokie wat dit veronderstel is om te wees.
Nella van Heerden
Nella van Heerden, foto regs, is 'n bekende sakevrou van Bloemfontein en het die voorreg gehad om 20 en 21 Mei 2006 haar 11de Bruidskou aan te bied. Hierdie gewilde bruidskou word jaarliks deur sowat 4 500 belangstellendes bygewoon. Diensverskaffers by die Skou skep 'n trou-atmosfeer deur elkeen 'n bruidstafel te dek waardeur hy/sy hul diens kan bemark aan besoekers.
'n Groot belangstelling van die Bruidskou is die modeparade wat drie keer herhaal word gedurende die twee dae. Daartydens vertoon top ontwerpers van Bloemfontein hul nuutste skeppings. Van die finaliste van Mev Bloemfontein 2005 het ook as modelle opgetree. Van Heerden is ook die eienaar en organiseerder van die Mev Bloemfontein kompetisie wat nou vir die tweede keer aangebied word. Vir verdere inligting ivm hierdie stylvolle kompetisie vir die volwasse, getroude vrou tussen 25 en 57 jaar, kontak Van Heerden gerus by 083 262 2918. Solank daar liefde en verliefdes is, sal daar reλlings en troues wees. Dit maak nie saak waar jy bly of hoeveel jou begroting is nie. As jy trou, wil jy die mooiste dag beplan.
En jy as diensteverskaffer kan raad gee, maar jy mag nie besluite neem namens die bruid of bruidegom nie. Dit is hierdie twee persone se groot dag. Gun hulle dit, al is dit nie jou keuse nie, sκ Van Heerden.
Nella's Wedding & Events Library open sy deure die eerste week van September 2006 in Northridge Mall, Bloemfontein. Dit is 'n eenstopwinkel waar voornemende bruide kan kom kers opsteek. Verskeie diensverskaffers sal ook hul dienste hier bemark en voorbeelde kan besigtig word, terwyl nasionale sowel as internasionale bruidstydskrifte gelees kan word vir verdere idees.
Die diensverskaffer en sy/haar kliλnt kan by Nella's Wedding & Events Library per afspraak ontmoet van Maandag tot Vrydag vanaf 10:00 tot 19:00 en Saterdae vanaf 09:00 tot 14:00.
Vir meer inligting ivm uitstallingsgeleenthede kontak Nella by nellavh@mweb.co.za of 083 262 2918.
Back to Main || About Webmaster || Disclaimer || Back
This site is best viewed at 800x600 pixels. This site was optimized for IE 5.5 or higher.
Copyright © 2006 Web D-Zign Inc. All rights reserved.
