Together, we can do the country proud

Kgalema Motlanthe : The World Cup offers all South Africans the opportunity of a lifetime, writes deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe

When the final whistle blows on July 11 2010, after successfully hosting 64 matches, about 350000 international visitors and an estimated total television audience of more than 26 billion, South Africa will never be the same again. There is a growing consensus that the lasting impression for every World Cup fan will be that South Africa delivered on its promise to host a spectacular event.

Through the tournament event we have an opportunity to demonstrate that our hospitality, event and crowd management and broadcast services can compete with the best in the world.

On May 15 2004, when former President Nelson Mandela lifted the Fifa World Cup in Zurich, South Africa accepted the opportunity to host "with humility, not with arrogance". We appreciated - and still do - the support shown by fellow Africans to us hosting this spectacular event. We are particularly proud of Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria featuring in the first World Cup on African soil. The success of the event will be a window, not just on African football, but on African growth, development and innovation.

Soon after South Africa won the rights to host the tournament, the government made unwavering commitments through the 17 guarantees signed with Fifa to ensure that we meet and even exceed the expectations of world football's governing body.

In the financial year 2005/06, we viewed hosting the 2010 World Cup as a catalyst for development and investment in sports infrastructure (stadiums and training venues) and economic infrastructure (airports, railways, public transport, telecommunications, safety and security services), skills development, employment creation and economic growth, rather than as funding a one-off event.

Transport projects such as the Gauteng Rapid Rail Link project; Airports Company South Africa's development programme; the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and the King Shaka International Airport, to mention but a few, showcase our world-class facilities and architectural excellence.

Our biggest airport, OR Tambo International, is the busiest in Africa and now has increased capacity to transport local and international visitors. This is the biggest legacy for the tourism industry and trade in general, with the airport able to better deal with large volumes.

In fact, our infrastructure development programme, especially in the construction industry, served as a counter-cyclical measure that cushioned the country from the adverse effects of the global economic crisis.

The investments made are also long-term enablers of accelerated economic growth and development. South Africa has already secured 95 meetings and conferences between 2010 and 2016 as well as bids for an additional 45 meetings and conferences between 2011 and 2020. Conference tourism creates jobs for locals, helps us during tough economic times and ensures repeat tourists through the level of our customer services.

One of the legacy projects championed by the Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), has commenced with a total of 75 comprehensive service excellence readiness seminars in each province, including host cities with the aim of registering 250000 staff and 200 training providers within the tourism value chain which will result in improved customer service.

The tourism sector, through its service excellence initiative, seeks to improve South Africa's overall customer service at all service "touch points" in the sector, with a view to transforming this country into a globally competitive service economy and the world's destination of choice. This is one of the major legacies that will ensure repeat visitors and job creation.

The spin-offs of this mega tournament include our country coming alive with pride and patriotism as we see scores of our citizens supporting the Fly the Flag for South Africa initiative.

We have seen how the 2009 Confederations Cup lifted everybody's spirits - including our national team which acquitted itself very well. The national flag is now visible on cars, buildings and through marketing and advertising activities. This contributes to our social cohesion initiative and serves as a precursor to our readiness to welcome the world.

The government wishes to assure our visitors that their safety during this tournament and on any other occasion is a priority. Our security record at major events has been tested many times. Our law enforcement agencies are becoming experts at securing events of international significance. And to prove this, we have successfully delivered close to 150 major sporting events, including the Confederations Cup and the Indian Premier League in 2009 without major incident. The government has invested in the latest technology to assist police to best secure the World Cup. We want people to come and enjoy themselves.

The same goes for our hospitality industry which continues to undergo improvement. Coupled to our people's hospitality, visitors should look forward to a memorable stay in this country. Public and private healthcare facilities are equipped to respond to the medical needs that may arise. We have improved the health and emergency services infrastructure such as ambulances and competent personnel for emergency services. These will be used well beyond the tournament.

I salute all the employees of World Cup projects - those who have completed and those who are still working on the projects. We are all part of the 2010 World Cup legacy and stories will be told for many years to come. Ke Nako! Celebrate Africa's Humanity.

• Motlanthe is deputy president of South Africa and chairs the 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee