At its November meeting, the City’s Council took decisions on its 2010 transport plan, housing, and the environment, amongst other issues.

World Cup transport plan approved
The Council has approved the updated transport plan for next year’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The plan provides for 32 000 parking bays in the central business district, and the deployment of more than 200 trained personnel and volunteers to co-ordinate the transport service. Some R8,5 billion is being spent on municipal transport infrastructure. Road closures on non-match days will be limited to two roads next to the FIFA Fan Fest™ at the Grand Parade, with further road closures on eight match days.

43 Langa homes transferred
The City is to transfer 43 sectional title units in Langa, which were developed by First National Bank (FNB) as part of the N2 Gateway project. FNB is to indemnify the City against all possible third party claims or actions.

91 serviced plots in Khayelitsha
The City is to release 91 serviced plots in Ilitha Park, Khayelitsha to small developers. These will be sold to beneficiaries in the affordable housing market on a plot-and-plan basis.

Use of land under bridges formalised
The City Council has approved a process for the formal application and allocation of land pockets underneath bridges. The municipality will develop guidelines which will be communicated to residents.

Lease for Strandfontein lifesavers
The Strandfontein Lifesaving Club has obtained permission to continue renting part of the Strandfontein Pavilion for the next ten years.

Shade relief for cableway visitors
Since the big Table Mountain fire in 2006, visitors have had to queue in the sun while waiting for the cable car. The City has agreed that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company may lease a portion of City land at the lower cable station to build pergolas to provide shade for vistors.

R300 000 for coastal conservancy
The City Council approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Kommetjie Environmental Awareness Group (KEAG). In terms of the memorandum,
the City will pay KEAG R300 000 per year to manage and maintain the Witsand-Soetwater Coastal Conservancy, as well as the Witsand landfill site.

City bids for international gym event
The City will assist the South African Gymnastics Federation with R150 000 to bid for the right to host the Gym for Life World Challenge in 2013.

Facelift for Rondebosch Bowling Club
The Cycle Tour Trust and Western Province Cricket Club are to conclude a management agreement with the City for the rehabilitation, management and maintenance of the former Rondebosch Bowling Club. The Cycle Tour Trust will use the building as its head office and the bowling green is to be converted into a multipurpose playing surface for use by the general public.

German help with solid waste system
Germany’s KfW Entwicklungsbank has committed approximately 300 000 euros from the German government for the implementation of an integrated solid waste management system. The main aim is to boost the municipality’s infrastructure by pre-treating municipal solid waste in order to reduce the volumes of waste at landfill sites.

Gardens gets a pedestrian square
The City Council has approved the closure of part of Wesley Street in Gardens for the development of a pedestrian piazza between Wembley Square and a new development next to it. The cost will be carried by the developer, but the Council will maintain control of the street.

Martin Pollack

The City of Cape Town is pulling out all the stops to demonstrate its readiness to welcome the thousands of soccer fans and dignitaries who are expected to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw™ today, Friday 4 December 2009.

The Draw, which will determine the match schedule for the 32 participating teams in next year’s FIFA World Cup™, will be held at 19:00 on Friday 4 December at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). More than 3 000 dignitaries and media representatives are expected to attend the event, which will be broadcast live to an estimated audience of 150 million people in 200 countries around the world. “Cape Town is ready to host the world and to demonstrate its professionalism, creativity and expertise through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

Long Street festival

As part of the event, the City has also organised a one-day festival in Long Street where residents can watch the ceremony on large television screens. Upper Long Street, from Dorp Street to Buitensingel, and adjoining streets, will be closed off to traffic and transformed into a pedestrian zone between the Long Street Baths and Wale Street. Top South African artists such as Freshlyground and Jimmy Dludlu will provide live entertainment between noon to midnight, to an anticipated 15 000 revellers. “We wish to thank Long Street residents, business owners and churches for supporting this event,” says Lesley de Reuck, Director 2010: Operations. Besides creating a sense of excitement among locals, the event is aimed at showcasing a safe street revellers’ experience to an international audience. “We are most grateful to all the City employees who have walked the extra mile and gone beyond the call of duty to
get Cape Town in shipshape condition for the Final Draw,” says Mayor Plato.

Festival programme

In addition to the great lineup of musicians, there will be all sorts of other entertainment, including carnival characters, stilt walkers and fire dancers.

* 12:00 – Cultural Performers
* 13:30 – Alistar Izobel and Band
* 13.55 – Alistar Izobel sings ‘Welcome to Cape Town’, joined by Zakumi to welcome FIFA representatives to launch the Fan Fest project.
* 14:00 – Fan Fest launch (with onstage photo opportunities)
* 14:20 – Cultural performers (four acts to perform for approximately 20 minutes each)
* 16:20 – Fancy Galada
* 16:45 – To be confirmed
* 17:02 – Flat Stanley
* 17:35 – TKZee
* 18:15 – K’Naan
* 19:00 – Live draw broadcast
* 20:45 – ‘Africa Unite’ Segment (song produced by Cedric Samson)
* 20:52 – Freshlyground
* 21:50 – Cassette
* 22:45 – Jimmy Dludlu
* 24:00 – Wind-down to end

Entrance is free of charge.

Note that the programme is subject to change.

Rolling out the red carpet

In the lead-up to the Final Draw at 19:00, the City is to host a spectacular ‘red carpet’ event to welcome VIPs and media to the CTICC. Top artists, including the Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo (from Benin) and Johnny Clegg will perform in a 90-minute live show. The Long Street festivities will give Capetonians a taste of what next year’s FIFA World Cup Fan Fest™ on the Grand Parade will be like.
The Fan Fest concept, first used in Germany in 2006, provides fans with an opportunity to watch games live on big video screens and enjoy food and beverages in a festive atmosphere. In addition to the FIFA Fan Fest™, there will be four City public viewing areas, at the Athlone Civic Centre, the Bellville Velodrome, the Oliver Tambo Centre in Khayelitsha, and at the Swartklip Sports Complex in Mitchells Plain.

Martin Pollack