Cape Town – The Mother City’s tourism agency is confident that the recent World Cup would have a multiplier effect on the number of future arrivals of international visitors to the city, despite the number of tourist arrivals during the event having been lower than expected.

Cape Town Tourism chief executive Mariette du Toit-Helmbold said though visitor numbers and bookings in Cape Town had not lived up to expectations – despite arrivals having been higher than in the same period in 2009 – the event would help to attract thousands of tourists to the city.

The organisation presented results on Wednesday of a number of weekly tourism industry surveys it had conducted. Toit-Helmhold believed the perception around price and crime had kept away more visitors.

About 200 000 fans visited the city during the World Cup and average occupancy levels for the event were about 55 percent – about 15 percent up on the same period for 2009.

“The 2010 World Cup turned out to be a bumper winter season, rather than another peak season,” said Du Toit-Helmhold, who added that final visitor numbers would be revealed in a full assessment by the City of the economic impact the World Cup had had on the city.

But despite this she said the current 1.8 million tourist arrivals in the city, could triple in the near future if just 0.5 percent of all those that visited the city during the event returned.

She said despite the lower number of bookings than expected, 90 percent of tourism businesses the organisation polled, believed the event had had a positive impact on the city.

“Our focus has never been on the short term benefits of hosting this event, but rather on maximising the long term benefits and changing the opinion the world has of us, converting soccer fans into fans of Cape Town.

“Our aim is to double the economic impact of tourism by 2020 and the successful hosting of the World Cup in Cape Town in winter will definitely make this target more attainable,” she said.

She said that over the last four years, the city has almost doubled its capacity, with eight new hotels being added in the last two years.

Felicity Purchase, Mayco Member Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Cape Town agreed that the hosting of major events during Cape Town’s winter season was critical to unlocking economic growth for the city.

“Events can play an important role in addressing seasonality, which is one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the development of Cape Town as a year-round tourism destination,” she said.

Turning to the 2020 Olympic Games, Purchase said unlike Durban which was considering putting in a bid to host the games, Cape Town had not yet made a decision on whether to bid or not.

“To be quite honest with you I think it is premature,” said Purchase, who pointed out that the city was short on venues such as a really good athletics track

She said the city would need to undertake a study to assess what infrastructure was needed in order to fulfil the requirements for the bid.

She believed the city had been “naïve” about its ability to host an Olympic Games when it put in a bid for 2004 games, some years ago.

Du Toit-Helmbold said Cape Town Tourism’s Winter Campaign would launch this week and would be marketed locally through selected Gauteng radio stations and billboards and globally via a partnership with travel advisory website Tripadvisor.com. – BuaNews

Cape Town – Journalists from across the world have hailed Cape Town as one of the friendliest and most beautiful cities, according to a report compiled by the city’s tourism agency.

Cape Town Tourism interacted with 750 international journalists during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, taking them on various tours around the city to show the various faces of the city, said the organisation’s chief executive Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, who today released the report. .

Freelance journalist Vincent de Vries from the Netherlands said aspects from all over the world could be found in Cape Town.

“I have been everywhere from Mongolia to Vancouver, from Beijing to Rio de Janeiro, but my visit to Cape Town, during the World Cup Soccer, where I stayed for more than five weeks, ruined my ambition to see the whole world in 10 years. Why?

“Because I fell in love with the Mother City! Now I don’t have to travel around the world anymore because Cape Town is the world.

“The V&A Waterfront is like Europe, the food is perfect like in Asia, the weather is fantastic like South-America, the people are as friendly as in Australia and the ambitions are as high as in the USA. I fell in love with this marvellous city and will return time and time again,” said de Vries.

Duncan Castles, who writes for the UK’s The Observer said he had travelled and lived in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas but had never been to a city that made such an immediate impression on him.

“The setting is breathtaking, and waking up each morning to Table Mountain’s flitting mood is a joy. Then you add in the friendliness of the people, the quality of the food and wine, and Cape Town’s sense of fun, and you have a truly special place,” said Castles.

Edward Lawrence of CBS TV Network in the US said he had initially had a “huge fear” of visiting South Africa because he had always heard that it was dangerous for American tourists, but that his urge to see the World Cup had made him throw caution to the wind.

“From the time I stepped off the plane in Cape Town, I felt welcomed by the people there – from the cab drivers to the Bed-and-Breakfast owners. I was able to take advantage of being a tourist in Cape Town and it was amazing. I saw and experienced so much and will definitely return to Cape Town,” said Lawrence.

Zheng Daojin, Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, said Cape Town was  “one of the most beautiful places on earth.

“My impression of the beauty, of the nature and the people of this city will stay with me forever. Thank you for the most fantastic time,” said Daojin.

Andres Kudacki a photographer and filmmaker from Argentina described the city as “amazing”.

“It is one of the most photogenic cities in the world and I was surprised and amazed during my stay here. From the Waterfront to Khayelitsha – I loved each part of Cape Town,” said Kudacki. – BuaNews

The City of Cape Town is offering free rides on the new MyCiTi inner-city bus loop to all Capetonians and visitors for the next three Fridays, starting Friday June 25.

Members of the Portfolio Committee for Transport, Roads and Major Projects who initially requested the free service are ecstatic about the opportunity to showcase this world class service to many citizens of and visitors to the City.

The inner-city loop runs in two circuits, clockwise and anti-clockwise, both passing the areas around the Foreshore, Convention Centre, Long and Loop Streets, Orange and Mill Streets, and Buitenkant Streets.

It passes attractions including the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the nightspots of Long Street, the Labia Theatre, Government Avenue, the District Six Museum and the Castle. It also travels close to Greenmarket Square, Bo-Kaap and the Gardens Centre.

Buses travel in both directions and run about every 15 minutes, starting from the Civic Centre Station on Hertzog Boulevard.

“Come and catch the bus with us. It is a professional service, and all the people I’ve chatted on the MyCiTi, say they are extremely impressed by the high-standard of service offered,” said Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads & Major Projects.

‘The MyCiTi has been a huge success as World Cup service which received many accolades from locals and foreign visitors alike. It signals the way to something far greater, and we’d like Capetonians to start looking forward to that. In the future, as part of the first phase of the permanent MyCiTi service, there will be several permanent routes around Cape Town, starting with a trunk route on the R27,” said Thompson.

The MyCiTi inner-city loop was launched along with the airport shuttle, which is a permanent service and will continue to be charged for, at R50 per trip.

To catch the inner-city loop, go to the Civic Centre Station, or stand beneath for the yellow bus signs. The stops on the clockwise and anti-clockwise loops are found close to each other, except for on Long and Loop Streets, which are one-ways.

The stops on the anti-clockwise service can be found outside the CTICC, on Long Street (just before intersection with Waterkant; just before the Dorp Street intersection, and a few metres before the Long Street Baths); on Buitenkant Street (at the top; just before the intersection with Roeland; and one block south of the Grand Parade); and on Darling Street, just before the intersection with Tennant.

The City of Cape Town is implementing a comprehensive child safety plan for the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ tournament.

The plan was developed together with the Western Cape Department of Social Development, and will dovetail with the holiday activity programme being presented across the metropole in all 23 subcouncil areas.

“The City will test the plan at the ‘Cape Town Welcomes the World Party’ at the Grand Parade on Thursday 10 June,” says Pam Naidoo, 2010 Project Coordinator at the City of Cape Town.

A central feature is a dedicated ‘lost and found’ facility staffed by eight trained social workers and child care practitioners.

For the duration of the World Cup, the plan provides for six ‘lost and found’ rooms located at the Cape Town Stadium, the Fan Fest, and all four fan jols – Vygieskraal Stadium, Bellville Velodrome, Swartklip Sports Centre and the OR Tambo Sports Centre.

In addition, all children – whether they are part of a group or just one of a family – will be tagged by the City’s volunteers who will be deployed at the entrances of the respective event sites.

“The volunteers will direct families or groups to the tagging facility where the details of each child and accompanying adult will be registered on a database. Unaccompanied children will be redirected to the nearest schools holiday programme,” says Naidoo.

“The City is acutely aware that children will be particularly vulnerable at large gatherings during the football extravaganza. Their safety and security is crucial to the staging of a successful event,” says Lesley de Reuck, the City’s 2010 Operations Director.

“Another feature of this comprehensive plan is to use the huge TV screens at each venue to intersperse personal health and safety messages between match screenings and entertainment shows.”

“The screens will also be used to broadcast messages of missing children. Details of the person claiming the lost child will first be checked against the tagging information logged on the database,” says De Reuck.

Seventeen information kiosks across the city including the stadium, fan jols, the stations, City Hall, and other easily accessible venues, will double up as child safety information centres.

“This plan is a joint effort between the City, Provincial Government, Cape Town Tourism, Cape Town Routes Unlimited and the volunteers,” says De Reuck.

The City of Cape Town has announced a series of road closures for its spectacular street festival to ‘welcome the world to the Mother City’.

On Thursday, 10 June, some 17 000 revellers are expected to gather at the FIFA Fan Fest™ on the Grand Parade and another 50 000 in the city centre.

“This party promises to be bigger, better and safer than any of the City’s previous parties. But with safety in mind, the City will be closing certain roads from 14:00 to 24:00 on that day,” says Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

The star-studded concert on the Grand Parade includes the internationally acclaimed Haindling Bavarian Band which will perform the late Miriam Makeba’s hit Patta Patta with local songstress Fancy Galada. All other performers are South African, including several new Cape Town acts.

The programme includes popular South African stars such as HHP, JR, Kurt Darren, Vicky Sampson, Flip a Coin, Locnville, Emo Adams, Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels, the Lindiwe Suttle Band, DJ Reddy, as well as The Nob and Soli Philander. Some of the stage acts selected during the city’s five-week-long public auditions will also be performing.

The free concert kicks off at 14:00 and will build up to a ceremonial highlight with a special lighting display on the historic balcony of the City Hall at 19:00. This will signal the start of the carnival parade and the switch on of Adderley Street’s spectacular soccer lights. From 21:00 until midnight some of South Africa’s biggest music icons will entertain the crowds at the Fan Fest.

Cape Town diva Vicky Sampson will perform ‘My African Dream’, after the ceremonial highlight on the balcony where former President Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech after imprisonment.

The highlight will celebrate the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and promote national unity and world peace in line with Madiba’s dream. Former President Nelson Mandela will celebrate his 92nd birthday on 18 July – one week after the final match of the World Cup.

The City of Cape Town’s electricity department has also arranged for eight colourful soccer-themed light installations on Adderley Street, starting from the Heerengracht Fountain Circle up to Wale Street. Some 10km of rope lights was used which uses 55% less energy than the traditional incandescent light bulbs.

For the welcome party and carnival parade, there will be intermittent road closures from 14:00 to 24:00 in and around the Grand Parade. Affected streets are Keizergracht, Buitenkant, Darling, Plein, Parade, Corporation, Burg, Wale, Bloem and Green.

No on-street parking will be allowed until midnight on Keizergracht between Sir Lowry and Tennant Street, in Darling Street, Adderley Street between Strand and Wale Street; Wale Street between Adderley and Burg Streets; as well as Queen Victoria Street between Wale and Bloem Streets.

Businesses, residents and pedestrians in the affected areas will be subject to access control measures.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these street closures and wish to thank all Capetonians in advance for their co-operation,” says Chief Inspector Merle Lourens of Cape Town Traffic Services.

“We advise all businesses to arrange that stock deliveries be done before June 10 in order to prevent traffic congestion on the day of the street festival,” she says.

“To minimise traffic disruptions, Cape Town Traffic Services will be on duty to redirect motorists and pedestrians. There will also be sufficient signage advising alternative routes,” says Lourens.

With the World Cup only days away, the City of Cape Town is making a concerted effort to keep residents and visitors well informed and provide them with up-to-date information before, during and after the tournament.

The City has been communicating regularly through a series of media releases, but will extend this programme with advertorials and its own print and web publications, providing the public with everything they need to know during the World Cup. The City urges the public to monitor print publications or visit this website regularly.

Over the next two weeks the public can look out for the following:

An advertorial poster in a variety of newspapers

This A1 poster will detail the schedule for matches to be played in Cape Town; road closures on match days and non-match days; transport arrangements; and information on the Fan Fest, fan jols and fan walk.

It will appear in the following publications on the following dates:

* Cape Argus – 7 June
* Cape Times – 7 June
* Daily Voice – 7 June
* Die Burger – 9 June
* Blits – 19 June
* All community papers – 8, 9 and 10 June

The poster was in the Rapport and the Sunday Times on 6 June. It is free of charge and will also be available at the information desks of the main shopping malls throughout the city; the information desk on the Concourse Level of the Cape Town Civic Centre; local libraries; the special information kiosks that the City will put up for the duration of the tournament; the FIFA Fan Fest™; and the four fan jols.

The poster is also available here.

A special bumper edition of CityNews will be distributed to residents through the city’s community newspapers this week.

This will contain all you need to know about the World Cup, including road closures on match days and non-match days, the FIFA Fan Fest™, the fan walk and the fan jols, as well as some informative frequently asked questions and answers. Copies of CityNews can also be collected from most City libraries.

Information on various electronic media platforms, as follows:

For general information the public can visit the City’s World Cup website. This site is regularly updated and contains information ranging from the operating hours of the Fan Fest and fan jols, to where to stay and eat out in Cape Town. There is also a very useful list of frequently asked questions, covering everything from ticketing information, to exclusion zones, to building restrictions.

* For news, pictures, report-backs on the games, entertainment, and the city’s vibe from the Stadium, Fan Fest, fan walk, fan jols and Cape Town metro, visit our Facebook page
* For up-to-the-minute news, follow us on Twitter

The City of Cape Town is getting ready to launch into the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in style, with a 10 hour-long “Cape Town Welcomes the World Party” on the eve of the official kick-off.

The party on the Grand Parade on Thursday 10 June 2010 will be the culmination of the City’s many hospitality initiatives, and will be built around the theme of welcoming the world to the southern tip of Africa.

Local residents and visitors will have the opportunity to be part of the celebration and get into the football spirit.

About 25 000 people are expected on the Grand Parade for a concert featuring an exciting line-up of mostly local artistes. The concert will start at 14:00, and at 18:30 flaming torches will light a cauldron on the City Hall balcony – from which Nelson Mandela made his first speech after his release – to signal the start of the carnival parade.

At 19:00, the Rainbow Parade featuring 2 000 Cape Minstrels will move through the city centre.

The party will also include the switch-on of eight colourful soccer streetlight displays in Adderley Street. About 10km of rope lights was used to create the displays. These use 55% less energy than traditional light bulbs.

“The City wants to position itself as the party capital of the world. This party promises to be bigger, better and safer than any of the previous parties,” said Cape Town Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.

Law enforcement officials will be out in full force, and trains will run until 01:00. Bus services – including the City’s newly-launched MyCiTi service, will also be operational. Food and art stalls as well as toilet facilities will be available.

Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson, posed for photographs with some of the performers at a preview event.

“It’s very exciting, after four years of planning – in which we built a stadium and a transport system – it’s finally here.

“And in just over a month, it’s all going to be over, so we’ve got to grab this opportunity and make the most of it,” he said.

Tickets to the eight 2010 FIFA World Cup™ matches being played in Cape Town have nearly all sold out.

FIFA released about 90 000 tickets on Friday 28 May 2010, including about 18 000 for Cape Town Stadium matches.

FIFA’s ticketing system initially crashed due to the high demand for tickets on Friday.

According to the latest match availability figures (https://lmsfwctickets.fifa.com/LMS/MatchAvailability.aspx), most Cape Town matches are sold out, and no tickets are currently available.

Some games have tickets which are “currently not available”, meaning these may become available at a later stage. Fans are advised to check for updates on the website (www.fifa.com), call the FIFA Call Centre (083 123 2010) visit FNB branches and certain Shoprite/Checkers branches, or visit the Cape Town FIFA Ticketing Centre at The Spearhead, 42 Hans Strijdom Avenue, Foreshore. This is open from 09:00 to 18:00 seven days a week.

However, it’s a case of “No ticket, no problem” for those who don’t have tickets, as they can watch the matches live at the official FIFA Fan Fest™ on the Grand Parade, or at one of the Public Viewing Areas, or fan jols. These are situated at the Bellville Velodrome, the Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone, the Oliver Tambo Sports Hall in Khayelitsha, and the Swartklip Sports Hall in Mitchells Plain.

When the City’s new 2010/11 budget comes into effect on 01 July 2010, it will bring further relief for many residents who have been struggling financially, but did not necessarily qualify to register as indigent residents with the City before.

The City’s 2010/11 budget of R23 billion, which was approved by Council on 25 May, focuses on stimulating growth and job creation, as well as providing more assistance to those Capetonians most in need.

A total of R1,1 billion of the City’s R23 billion budget (5%) has been allocated to help poorer residents with free basic services and rebates in the 2010/11 financial year.

Some of the key changes in the 2010/11 budget are:

• The monthly Indigent Grant of R30.00 for water and sanitation will as from July increase to R38.00. This provides an additional 4 500 litres of free water per month per household (and the associated sewerage charges and VAT), which is 500 litres per month more than previously provided. The 4 500 litres is over and above the 6 000 litres all households receive free of charge monthly.
• A total of R89 million has been allocated to provide the indigent households of the City of Cape Town with the extra free water for the 2010/11 financial year. Indigent-registered households also get 3 150 litres sewerage removal per month free, over and above the 4 200 litres sewerage that gets removed free of charge per month for all households in the city.
• The valuation limit for the above subsidy is now increased from R199 000 to R300 000. What this means is that all residential houses valued at R300 000 or below will be eligible to receive 4 500 litres of extra free water, per average month, free of charge.
• The first R88 000 of value of all residential properties are currently exempted from rates and this value now increases to R200 000. The residential rate on the remaining value is R0.00530/R.
• Besides these measures put in place to help the poorer residents, the City will also still offer free electricity for those households that purchase less than 400 kWh electricity per month. With the introduction of an inclining block tariff a substantial discount is provided for customers consuming between 50 kWh and 150 kWh per month. A total of R97 million of the R1,1 billion set aside to help the poor has been allocated for this free electricity.

Subsidies for a total of R166 million have been allocated for refuse removal. Rebates varying between 100% and 25% will now be granted to residential properties valued at R400 000 or below, increased from R300 000. Those residents living in residential properties valued at less than R100 000 will also receive a 100% rebate for the first refuse bin. In addition, R67 million will be used to provide informal settlements with solid waste removal services.

Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons will now receive rates rebates between 100% and 10% for monthly household incomes of up to R8 500. This income threshold is increased from R8 000.

The City has for the 2010/11 financial year also set aside an amount of R601 million to provide housing for the poor. This amount includes funds for upgrades to informal settlements, the establishment of new settlements, and upgrades to 43 500 rental units and 11 000 hostel units.

Who qualifies as an indigent resident?

The City’s indigent policy assists struggling households in paying their rates and service charges. To qualify, residents must meet certain criteria, and register on the City’s indigent database.

The City uses the following criteria to evaluate applicants:

• Proof of gross household income: This must not exceed R3 000 per household per month, irrespective of the municipal valuation of property.
• Ownership status: The applicant must be the registered owner of the property or an occupant of a child-headed household where the property is registered in the name of a deceased parent/s. In addition, the applicant must not be the registered owner of more than one property.
• Occupancy status: The applicant must be a full-time occupant of the property, and the property must be used for residential purposes only.

Prospective indigent applicants are urged to register without delay in order to receive the benefits approved by Council. They are therefore invited to register at any of the City’s Municipal Revenue Offices, or by calling 0860 103 089 for further information. Indigent residents should re-register every year.

The MyCiTi bus service around central Cape Town is set to transform transport in the inner city, as it will take many Capetonians quickly and safely to the places where they work, study and party.

The new service, which started on Saturday, will consist of two inner-city loops travelling in opposite directions. Both loops will start at the new Civic Centre Station (very close to the Cape Town train station) on Hertzog Boulevard, and cover the areas around the Foreshore, Long Street, Gardens, and Buitenkant, Keizergracht and Oswald Pirow streets.

The route travelling anti-clockwise (if viewed from the south) leaves Hertzog Boulevard and turns down DF Malan Street, then turns and passes the entrance to Table Bay Harbour. It passes the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Coen Steytler Avenue, then turns left into Lower Long Street, passing the South African Revenue Service and Telkom buildings.

Travelling up Long Street, the route passes Thibault Square, then travels close to Greenmarket Square, the Western Cape High Court and the Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. It passes the Council Chambers at 44 Wale Street and, further up Long Street, the Long Street Baths. It then turns left into Orange Street, travelling close to the Iziko South African Museum, the Planetarium and the South African National Gallery, then passes the Hiddingh Campus of UCT and the Labia Theatre.

Travelling along Orange and Annandale Roads, the route passes Government Avenue, the Mount Nelson Hotel and Cape Town High School, travelling very close to Dunkley Square. Turning left into Mill and Buitenkant Streets, it travels past Robbie Nurock Day Hospital, the Iziko Rust en Vreugd Museum and Caledon Square Police Station. At this point, it is just a block from the Department of Home Affairs in Barrack Street.

The route then passes the Grand Parade and turns right into Keizergracht, travelling past the Good Hope Centre (this is very close to the Cape Town campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology), then left into Oswald Pirow, passing the taxi rank on the station deck. The bus then turns left into Hertzog Boulevard again towards the Civic Centre Station.

The other route, travelling clockwise, passes the same destinations except that it travels down Loop Street instead of Long Street, as these are one-way roads in opposite directions.

“The aim of these inner-city loop is to make it much easier for Capetonians to get around, and we’re really urging people to give it a try,” said City Media Manager Kylie Hatton. “The inner-city loop will give us a taste of the permanent inner-city service, which will be set up later as part of Phase 1A of the new permanent MyCiTi service.

Between 29 May and 16 July, the inner city loop service will run every 30 minutes between 03:00 and 09:00 and between 24:00(midnight) and 01:00 and every 10 minutes between 09:00 and 24:00.

Between 6 June and 10 July, the service will run every 30 minutes between 24:00(midnight) and 09:00 and every 10 minutes between 09:00 and 24:00(midnight).

Services may be increased on match days during the World Cup.

Tickets cost R8 and can be bought on the bus, and from roving vendors.
“We really hope that our excitement about this new service catches on,” said Hatton.

The City of Cape Town will run a Special Needs shuttle on match days to transport spectators with mobility impairments to and from the Cape Town Stadium.

Although the normal shuttle transport to the stadium is wheelchair accessible, spectators will have to walk a distance of 500 m or navigate a ramp to enter the stadium at the second floor level. “This may be challenging to people with mobility impairments,” says Ester Moag, Head: Marketing and Passenger Services in the City’s Transport Department.

Wheelchair ticket holders may apply for one of the 90 dedicated parking bays inside the stadium at Level 1. Applications for these bays can only be made at the FIFA ticketing office and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Those allocated a bay will also receive a Vehicle Access Pass and will be required to access the stadium via the remote search park at Gallows Hill. The vehicle height restriction at the stadium for access to level 1 is 2,1 metres. Please direct enquiries to +27 (0)83 123 2010 or enquiries@2010fwctc.co.za

The Special Needs shuttle is only available to spectators with a wheelchair ticket, as issued by FIFA, and those with a doctor’s certificate confirming their inability to walk a distance of 500 m. “Everyone who wishes to make use of this shuttle must register as soon as possible, but by no later than one week before the date of the match they are attending. Only those who have registered and received confirmation will be transported,” says Moag.

In South Africa spectators may call the toll free number 0800 600 895 between 09:00 and 12:00 daily to book their places. Spectators currently outside of South Africa may book their places by sending an e-mail to transport.info@capetown.gov.za. Prospective passengers must e-mail or fax a copy of their wheelchair match ticket or doctor’s certificate to +27 (0)21 448 7873 and will receive confirmation of their bookings via e-mail or fax. Please retain this confirmation as it is required to gain entrance to the Special Needs Access Hub.

The Dial-a-Ride public transport service will operate as normal during the World Cup. On match days some vehicles will be used to transport spectators to the stadium. “It is anticipated that this will not have a significant impact on the normal operations as all those commuting between home and office will be accommodated,” says Moag. All the Dial-a-Ride vehicles will be used after the match to transport spectators from the stadium. This will fall outside the normal Dial-a-Ride operating hours except for the match on Monday 21 June 2010. “Special provision has been made to transport registered Dial-a-Ride passengers from the Special Needs Access Hub to their residences after the match,” says Moag.

The Cape Town Stadium Visitors’ Centre has closed its doors until after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, as the FIFA Local Organising Committee takes over the stadium to make final venue preparations for the eight matches the stadium will host.

FIFA’s exclusive use period for the stadium starts on Friday 21 May, but LOC officials are already on site.

The stadium operators, Sail/Stadefrance, will assist FIFA in running the 68 000-seat stadium during this time.

Anyone who has driven past the stadium in the last few weeks will have noticed an entire village of white marquee tents. These will host FIFA’s MATCH Hospitality venues, and work is already under way to equip these with kitchens and ablution facilities, furniture, decor, and everything that goes with hosting international delegations in five star style, up to the crockery and cutlery.

Food and beverage stalls are also being prepared inside and outside the stadium.

Work is also under way to build the broadcasting centre outside the stadium, the cableway camera platform, and the media tribune, which will accommodate 800 journalists at the top level of seating on the same side of the stadium as the players’ tunnel. There will be 32 fixed camera positions in the stadium, and positions on the pitch for an additional 200 still and video cameras.

As a result of this intensive construction and preparation work, the stadium area has been sealed off to members of the public and the media, unless by prior arrangement with the LOC.

The City’s Mayoral Committee has recommended that the City’s Energy and Climate Change Action Plan be tabled for approval at the next Council Meeting in the last week of May.

The Action Plan was supported by all the City’s Portfolio Committees and the Executive Management Team (EMT).

The plan, comprising 43 programme areas made up of 115 projects, forms the basis on which the City can prioritise and budget for, implement, monitor and evaluate its energy and climate change programme. It operationalises the City’s commitments and demonstrates its leadership role in the field.

The City made ‘Energy for a sustainable city’ a key Strategic Focus Area (SFA) in its Integrated Development Plan in May 2008 and a Section 80 Energy Committee was established to drive the new focus area. This commitment to energy security, carbon mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts is also supported by a range of other City policy documents and activities.

“The Action Plan compiles both existing and proposed City energy and climate change projects across all directorates and departments, organised according to 11 key objectives. These objectives reflect the intention of the SFA and the other relevant City policy documents,” says Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment and Chair of the City’s Energy Committee.

Some of the key objectives of the plan are: City-wide 10% electricity consumption reduction by 2012, all growth in demand to be in renewable and cleaner energy sources; 10% renewable and cleaner energy supply by 2020; compact resource efficient city development; and more resilient low income/vulnerable communities.

The prioritisation of projects will be completed once the City’s Long Term Mitigation Scenarios (LTMS) project has been completed in June 2010. The LTMS will provide a solid foundation on which effective decision making with regard to priorities and financing of the City’s energy programme can proceed.

Some of the current projects already underway include:

• retrofit of City-owned buildings
• greening of housing developments
• Green Building guidelines
• Smart Living Education campaign
• electricity savings campaign to be launched in July 2010
• sale of Green Energy Certificates from the Darling Wind Farm to the public
• schools education programmes
• retrofit of streetlights and traffic lights for energy efficiency
• Green Goal 2010 carbon offset projects
• City adaptation plan of action (to build greater resilience to the impacts of climate change)
• mass roll out of solar water heaters project
• methane for energy from waste projects

The City of Cape Town, working with the National Treasury Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant, has prepared a series of different development options for the Athlone Power Station (Athlone Towers) site, and is interested to know what you have to say.

In the coming weeks, the City will hold two community meetings for special interest groups. At these meetings, the City will provide information about development ideas and themes. All interested parties are invited to give their opinion, but must e-mail a one page proposal and make a 15 minute appointment to present it. The e-mail address is: athlonepowerstation@hwb.co.za. Applicants are requested to indicate a preferred timeslot on their e-mail.

The meetings follow a series of neighbourhood meetings held last week for the three areas that abut the site, namely Pinelands, Athlone and Langa.

The two cooling towers at the decommissioned Athlone Power Station are due to be demolished in June 2010 following a report that they are potentially unsafe. This follows an incident in the early hours of Sunday 14 February in which one of the stabilising rings fitted around the structures, which are nearly 20 years old, fell to the ground.

After the demolition, the site will be cleared in preparation for development. The facebrick power station building and two 99m high chimneys will not be demolished.

Dates and venues for public meetings:

• 25 May Special interest groups: Room G1, 5th Floor, Podium, Civic Centre
• 27 May Special interest groups: Room B, 5th floor, Podium, Civic Centre

For more information about the public meetings, call 021 462 0416, or visit the City’s public participation page.

The City’s Fire and Rescue Services launched its nationally and internationally accredited training academy in Epping yesterday, 19 May 2010.

Four separate training centres were amalgamated to create the academy, which is accredited by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA), as well as the South African Emergency Services Institute. The new academy is the only Fire and Rescue Service Training Academy in South Africa where facilitation and internal moderation takes place. This enables the academy to ensure training of the highest quality and set nationwide standards.

The new academy is needed to train new staff who have joined the service over the last four years.

External sponsors assisted the academy in designing and building props in order to conduct more advanced training. “The academy boasts simulated collapsed buildings, collapsed trenches, sewer pipes, and a residential flat, as well as a hazardous materials training-simulator, industrial firefighting simulator and maze. All of this was made possible through donations from various private organisations.

At the launch, Fire and Rescue Services also displayed their readiness to deal with any challenges that may occur during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The Service has enhanced their resources to this end, acquiring additional appliances and equipment, and training and employing an additional 120 firefighters on a contract basis.

Training of existing staff is ongoing with a focus on advanced training. This includes training 39 Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) technicians, 24 Technical Rescue Operators, 60 Basic Ambulance Assistants and 15 Ambulance Emergency Assistants. The Hazmat technicians are extensively trained in dealing with chemical, biological and radiological fallout and identifying explosives. Some of their training was conducted at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and with the Explosives Unit of the South African Police Services.

The Technical Rescue Operators are ready to deal with any technical rescue incident such as a building collapse, trench collapse, sewer rescues, rescues from heavy vehicles, swift flowing water rescues, and rope rescues. The Unit has trained with the Specialised Dog Unit of the South African Police Services to locate trapped victims.

For the FIFA World Cup™, the Public Viewing Areas (Fan ‘Jols’), FIFA Fan Fest™ and Cape Town Stadium have been inspected and declared compliant with safety rules and regulations. The Fire Safety Section also conducts regular visits to various hotels and buildings to ensure compliance with safety regulations. An operational deployment plan is in place to ensure fire cover, not only at the identified venues, but also to the remainder of the city.

The Provincial Joint Operations Centre and the City’s Joint Operations Centre will be staffed by senior officers of the Fire and Rescue Service on a 24/7 basis during the World Cup. In addition, each venue will have a Venue Operations Centre staffed by Fire Officers to ensure the safety of all who attend.

The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Branch, in partnership with CAPE (Cape Action for People and the Environment) and WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), is hosting an event on World Biodiversity Day on 22 May to celebrate, recognise and thank the Friends Groups and other volunteers who assist the City in the conservation of Cape Town’s unique biodiversity.

“The City would particularly like to thank all of the Friends and local community groups who have made an enormous contribution to the success of the nature reserves in particular, but also to biodiversity within the city. Without Friends Groups and the communities who take ownership, the administration would not be able to maintain high levels of service,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.

The City will also launch the second edition of its popular book ‘City of Cape Town Nature Reserves – A network of amazing biodiversity’. This comprehensive and colourful resource showcases the city’s more than 30 nature reserves and natural areas, providing a description of the sites, their location and directions, along with activities and facilities associated with each site and an abundance of stunning photographs. The book was prepared by the City’s Environmental Resource Management Department, in collaboration with City Parks and the Communication Department, as well as other City line functions, consultants and partners. It is available at the Blaauwberg Conservation Area, and the Helderberg, Rietvlei, Rondevlei and Tygerberg Nature Reserves as well as the Kirstenbosch Botanical Society bookshop. From 01 July the book will cost R23.00.

In further recognition of World Biodiversity Day, the City of Cape Town’s Youth Environmental School (YES) Programme hosted a Biodiversity Week from 10 to 14 May, with 17 different programmes aimed at increasing awareness of our biodiversity. The YES Biodiversity Week programmes all focused on environmental education and awareness around biodiversity issues, and involved 75 Cape Town schools with 9 410 learners between Grades four and 11. The programmes featured, amongst other activities, the opportunity to learn about the endangered Western Leopard Toad, marine biodiversity, the value of wetlands, the negative effects of alien invasive species on the Fynbos biome and how to identify indigenous plant species.

World Biodiversity Day falls on 22 May each year and is celebrated worldwide. This day is sanctioned by the United Nations to increase awareness and understanding around biodiversity issues. This year is also the International Year of Biodiversity because the Biodiversity Target will be evaluated. Unfortunately the target is far from being met, and biodiversity losses have not been halted. Cape Town is one of the global hotspots and if the loss of biodiversity continues it could severely undermine ecosystem services and, subsequently, people’s livelihoods.

Managing biodiversity in an urban context, with unique and irreplaceable biodiversity in our backyards and public opens spaces, presents many challenges and opportunities. Healthy biodiversity is fundamental for human well-being as well as development and economic growth, and the City acknowledges the great support it receives from its citizens in working towards sustainable development.

Date: Saturday 22 May
Time: 09:30
Venue: Helderberg Nature Reserve, Verster Avenue, Somerset West