By Nangamso Mabindla
15 May 2007

WITH the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup around the corner, transport has come under the spotlight as key to its success.

And the Eastern Cape's department of roads and transport is working to ensure that the thousands of expected visitors will enjoy a well-functioning transport system.

The Nelson Mandela Metro, which incorporates Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch, is the selected host city in the province and a 50 000-seater stadium that will meet the standards set by the international soccer governing body, is being constructed.

However, the action is not set to stop there, as Buffalo City and King Sabatha Dalindyebo municipalities have been earmarked as potential base venues.

On Monday, 15 May, the MEC for roads and transport, Thobile Mhlahlo, introduced three German transport experts who are in the country to help the province deliver on its mandate to provide adequate transport during the world soccer showpiece.

"In terms of our co-operation with Germany, we successfully negotiated with the Senior Experts Services in that country to send some senior experts to the Eastern Cape during the first quarter of the 2007-08 financial year on a short-term assignment to assist the department," Mhlahlo said.

The three were involved in developing transport systems in Germany in preparation for the 2006 soccer world cup, which was played in that country. "Part of their assignment during their one-week stay with us will be for them to share ideas and possible scenarios towards co-ordinated planning of a proposed Provincial Transport Demand Management plan for 2010."

By having a proper plan in place, the department of roads and transport would be playing its part in the government's goal of having a well-functioning transport system up and running for 2010.

"All levels of government have committed themselves to ensuring efficient and safe transportation for all visitors - sufficient air, road and rail transport operators to accommodate the world cup. We also want to have sufficient transport infrastructure to accommodate projected travel demand," Mhlahlo said.

He encouraged all people in the province to work together to maximise the use of available resources and to ensure that the biggest sporting event in the world was not only remembered for the soccer but for benefits that went far beyond the world cup itself.