2010 Panel Disscussion

“Failure is not an option, success of 2010 is a shared responsibility,” according to Skhumbuzo Macozoma, Transport Manager for the FIFA 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC). Macozoma was speaking at this year’s panel discussion on “Transport – will we be ready?” hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA). The 2007 Panel discussion took place at BKS in Pretoria on the 31 October.

Macozoma emphasised the importance of proper co-ordination between government and FIFA. “If Government does not make South Africa work, FIFA will come in and do it themselves, if that doesn’t work the World Cup will not be held in this country. This cannot happen”, said Macozoma, adding that 2010 would be the most affordable World Cup when compared with previous tournaments. With adequate facilities and proper implementation of plans South Africa will be ready for 2010.

Chris Britz of Khuthele Projects (Pty) Ltd

Public transport expert Paul Browning of Lesiba Mudau Transport Consulting (Pty) Ltd stressed the fact that there is so much to do before 2010. ”"If we don’t start working on it right now; the great plans proposed by the Government are not going to happen”. All previous host cities have had functioning urban transport networks already in place. South Africa does not. “How are people going to get from, say, their bed and breakfast in Lyttleton, Pretoria, to a night out and Monte Casino – and back again?” Fans are going to expect adequate public transport facilities, said Browning, who suggested that the answer might lie in upgrading existing metro rail services and strategic bus and taxi routes. “But is there enough time to upgrade and integrate all public transport networks?”

“The time has passed for the development of major transport infrastructure projects and have these projects completed by 2010, if such projects are not in an advanced stage of design or construction have not already commenced. This implies that we need to use what we have optimally, therefore we need to pay urgent attention to the transport operational planning for 2010“, according to Chris Britz of Khuthele Projects (Pty) Ltd. A travel demand model was developed to be used as a tool to predict the numbers and desired movements of visitors, ticket-holders and fans throughout the event.

Another key concern raised by Dave Hewson on behalf of Railway Corporate Strategy CC is the progress regarding the development of passenger rail services. Very little appears to have been done in the areas of procuring new or additional passenger rolling stock, or upgrading infrastructure, each of which need significant lead times before delivery. The Gautrain is currently under construction, with high levels of construction activity all along the route. The completion time for the project is likely to be between 11 and 12 years from initial planning to end of construction. Construction of the Gautrain began in September 2006, with the link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton scheduled to be completed by mid 2010 and total project completion by mid 2011. “Therefore, given the current construction and rail market boom, any other large scale Greenfield’s rail projects or routes given the go-ahead at this stage may well be too late for 2010,” says Dave.

Soccer fan and logistics expert Mick Kerford of the New South African Agency cc presented a discussion on 2010 from a fan’s perspective. ”Has anyone considered how fans are going to react if they cannot get around the country because there are inadequate public transport facilities?” queried Kerford. “Tourists are used to busses dropping them off outside their doors, fast and reliable rail networks, low-cost air fares for away games, as well as safe and secure taxis. Can South Africa create safe, reliable and functioning public transport networks to meet their expectations?”

The CILTSA Panel Discussion proved to be very helpful and informative. While there is still a lot to do, South Africa can improve and upgrade the public transport networks in time for 2010, if the plans that Government keeps proposing are put into action.

We would like to thank all the speakers for participating and a big thank you to the sponsor for the day: Railway Corporate Strategy cc.

CILTSA Gauteng Panel Discussion