In Germany they had so many stadiums. Do we have enough stadiums in South Africa. Are we building them and will they be on time for 2010 or are they already built?
I think, first before we talk about those issues we should underline the important fact that in bringing this event - the World Cup - to Africa was a historic decision on the part of FIFA executive itself.
In its hundred year existence, it is the first time ever that an event of this magnitude of world nations - with regards to football - has been brought to Africa.
For us we regard this as a major achievement and not just for South Africa but, I think, for the whole continent itself.
You will be aware that a number of players from Africa play for big clubs in Europe and they have been doing this for years and yet this continent has been overlooked.
And, therefore, South Africa mobilized its resources, its population and the continent, and on behalf of the continent and in the name of the continent, won this great event so that it could be on our shores, the shores of our continent.
We should not therefore underestimate this decision as part achievement. When African leaders met in Addis Ababa in January this year they confirmed this.
So when you look at the preparations, in terms of readiness, one should look at that from that point of view.
Now South Africa itself, as a country, it is not a novice in organizing events at this level. One should know, in its existence as a democracy since 1994, South Africa has had the benefit to host mega events. If you will recall, in 1995, we hosted the World Rugby Cup, perhaps it is not as big as the FIFA world cup, but this was a very big event.
We are just about ten years down the road of our democracy and this event was held in South Africa successfully.
But that is not the only sporting event that has been held at that level in South Africa. In 1996, we had the African Cup of Nations held in South Africa. That is a very big event and again we had other events, for example, the All Africa Games which was also held in South Africa very successfully.
Internationally, we have had these events - huge events...the world summit on sustainable development in 2002 was held in South Africa, the world summit against racism was held in Durban, South Africa. These are United Nation's big international events. So, on the whole, really, we do have the basic infrastructure and the possibilities to hold these events.
So, in terms of readiness, its not like we are going to start on it late. We know that it is going to be a challenge, but the important thing is that this will be an African event and it is going to be held in African style.
It will not be a German one, it will not be a Korean one... it will have its own highlights and it will have its own elements which are unique to Africa.
I am glad to say that we have had this collaboration with Germany. We sent a number of teams in order to go and learn lessons.
There are a number of things that were picked up there. So, in terms of preparations, in terms of the arrangements and gearing ourselves, the physical infrastructure, for example, I am quite confident that we are on the road.
FIFA itself and its bodies they have confirmed this on all the visits they have made to South Africa.
According to FIFA there will be ten stadiums that will be required. If you look at it, in South Africa we have nine provinces and each has got a big stadium. Now what has happened is we have two categories of our facilities regarding the stadium.
One category is the facilities that are ready, that can be used tomorrow if Sepp Blatter can say "In December, let's go into South Africa", it can be done. That category is now being upgraded, they are being renovated, which is a huge benefit to the South African people, to Africa itself. About eight such facilities exist. It is not like they are going to be built from scratch.
The milestones we have as government and reports we have received from the local organizing committee and all the structures that are involved in the preparations, by December 2008, eight of the stadiums will be finished - completed - these are being upgraded.
