Joburg switches on 2010 countdown clock

By Ndaba Dlamini



Johannesburg - The Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, has
unveiled the City's 2010 Countdown Clock at the Metro Centre building in
Braamfontein on Thursday.



With just over 600 days to go before the first match of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup kicks off, Mr Masondo has urged Joburgers to rally behind the
city to make the event a success.



He said each day was a challenge as the world cup approached, reports
Joburg.org.



"We must renew our vigour and awareness of the countdown to the World
Cup each day. I am urging everyone in ... Johannesburg to make this
event a success."



Mr Masondo added that focus was not only on the world cup, but was also
on the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.



"This is also a challenge to us to show the world that as a host city of
the Confederations Cup in 2009, we are capable and ready to host a
successful World Cup event in 2010."



Joburg's Ellis Park Stadium will host the opening and the final matches
of the Confederations Cup, which runs from 14 to 28 June 2009.



The football tournament, regarded as a dress rehearsal for the world
cup, features eight nations, namely Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New
Zealand, United States, Spain, and hosts South Africa.



The countdown clock to the world cup, which stands in front of the Metro
Link Centre at the Metropolitan Centre on Loveday Street, bears the
Joburg Host City 2010 World Cup logo.



Underneath the logo, a digital clock ticks away the days to the 2010
World Cup.



Inscribed against a black background below the clock is the City's World
Cup vision: "A World-Class African Host City".



2010 executive director in the City, Sibongile Mazibuko, said
preparations for the event formed part of Johannesburg's long-term
vision to position itself as a world-class African city.



"The countdown clock serves to remind ourselves that we are counting
down to the world cup, that we need to push on with major projects to
fast track development that will change the face of Johannesburg
forever."



She said Joburg was the first world cup host city to put up a clock
counting down to kick off. - BuaNews