However, the date of completion for the route between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton was fast-tracked to be operational just in time to carry World Cup passengers. It is worth pointing out that the Gautrain was not earmarked as a World Cup project. The Gautrain is a catalyst for economic development in South Africa. The Gautrain on Wednesday, 2 June 2010, finally moved out of testing and into a fully-fledged operation when its safety permit was handed over to the Bombela Operating Company by Transport Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin. Millions of fans travelled around a country three times the size of Germany, primarily through public transport mainly trains, buses and taxis without any report of a major incidents.Īs part of preparations for the World Cup, government upgraded its road and rail infrastructure, airports and introduced new systems such as the Bus Rapid Transit system, known in Johannesburg as Rea Vaya. However, the investment we’ve put into the sector has paid off, helping the country to rise to the challenge. Given the deep-seated historical legacy of apartheid spatial planning as well decades of under-investment in public transport, it was always appreciated that access and mobility would be a challenge in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Over the past few years, a major capital injection into transport-related infrastructure and operations has begun to produce some important results. The South African government identified public transport as the key legacy project for this World Cup. This figure excludes the millions of people who watched World Cup games at fan fests, fan parks and public viewing areas. The guarantees included, amongst others, delivery of infrastructure and logistics, policing, justice, finance and tax exemption, as well as immigration services.Īccording to FIFA, a total of 3.1 million spectators attended the 64 matches of the tournament, the third highest aggregate attendance behind the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006. Government is hosting this briefing today, three days after the completion of the first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil, to provide an overall assessment on how the event proceeded, particularly as it pertains to government guarantees signed with FIFA. In the last few days, there has been unanimous opinion by domestic and international observers, amongst them international football fans, visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries, and most especially FIFA, that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the first to the hosted in Africa, was a success.
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