WE DID IT, NOW WHAT?

Deep gratitude and a focus on sustaining the momentum of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ were the key messages Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Cllr Zanoxolo Wayile, wanted to convey at a post-event Host City press conference on Wednesday, July 14.

Mayor Wayile both thanked Bay citizens and focused his attention on the “question that begs answering: “what now?”. In doing so, he highlighted the need for translating World Cup successes into more effective and efficient service delivery.

“To all of you who contributed towards making the World Cup a success in Nelson Mandela Bay, I say thank you. We opened our hearts and arms to thousands of visitors. We were exemplary hosts,” said Mayor Wayile. “The residents of this city, particularly those who lived and worked in the vicinity of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the FIFA Fan Fest™, displayed a degree of patience and tolerance beyond the call of duty.”

The Mayor pointed to the fact that no struggle comes without its sacrifices – and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was undoubtedly a struggle for the city, country and continent. “People from different sectors of the community demonstrated patience and some paid the price. Their sacrifice is recognised.”

The Mayor was in visibly high spirits, basking the post-World Cup afterglow and the huge international success of the event. He joked with the media saying “feel it”, garnering the response “it is here”, to which he replied “feel it, it is gone” – alluding to the fact that there are steps following the World Cup that need to be taken to build on the event’s momentum. 

“We did it, now what? 

“What do we do now as a Municipality to harness (the World Cup) energy and ensure the momentum continues and that the culture of prompt delivery service,” he said outlining the various immediate legacies of the World Cup and also noting that future legacies would become evident over time.

Amongst the most important immediate legacies was the increased political capacity for strategy, planning and co-ordination. “The political leadership had the foresight to ensure that a multi-purpose stadium was built,” he emphasized, also commending the Eastern Province Rugby Union for adopting the new stadium as its home base.
 

Other legacy areas were the volunteer programme which trained 800 volunteers from around the city and province; safety and security; the development and testing of an integrated transport system; environment; and tourism and internationalisation.

“Legacy is not about rands and cents, it’s also about the unquantifiable like non-racialism and national pride which plays a role in healing us. The process of healing a nation will take various forms and courage from all sectors of society – the World Cup was a part of this.”

He also hailed the long-term importance of internationalisation – especially with Brazil ahead of their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ – through working with the city in preparation for the event. He linked this to a growing emphasis on South-South links, partnerships and trade as one of the positive spin-offs of hosting the World Cup and giving Nelson Mandela Bay global exposure. 

The Mayor was also grateful to Nelson Mandela, who celebrates his 92nd birthday on July 18, and to whom Mayor Wayile attributed the success of winning the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Issued by Yithethe ma Afrika on behalf of the NMB 2010 Host City Directorate. For more information please contact Traci Mackie on 083 270 9985