As the closing ceremony of 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was unfolding at the Soccer City in Johannesburg on 11 July 2010, the people of Limpopo and in particular Polokwane residents were gearing themselves for a spectacular end to the 19th FIFA World Cup in Africa.

The executive mayor of Polokwane Thabo Makunyane wants to congratulate and thank all the people of Limpopo Province and Polokwane for entrusting the Host City with the responsibility to manage such a huge event. “We have successfully hosted 4 matches at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium and also ran a Fifa Fan Fest at the Polokwane Cricket Club which shows that we are not just a small host city, but we are counted amongst the major host cities in the country and beyond” said Mr. Makunyane.

“This world cup has generated a lot of excitement and also brought in economic benefits for the city and our region, with all the 4 matches held from 13 June 2010 having registered the following attendance statistics concluded the executive mayor of Polokwane”:

• 13 June 2010 Algeria vs Slovenia: 30 325
• 17 June 2010 France vs Mexico: 35 370
• 22 June 2010 Greece vs Argentina: 38 891
• 24 June 2010 Paraguay vs New Zealand: 34 850

Half of the spectators who attended the games hail from the Limpopo Province and that is a great achievement for the Host City’s efforts to get many people from the province attending the matches.

The Fifa Fan Fest was well attended with 66 000 people who passed through the turnstiles between the period 11 June 2010 to 11 July 2010. Despite the freezing weather conditions, the turnout at the Fan Fest did not disappoint.

It is a given fact that the City of Polokwane received much publicity during the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ and going into the future, the prospects of tourism growth will be realized as many football fans and their families will be returning back to “Africa’s city of Stars” for a warm welcome once more.

Meanwhile, the Dries Abrahamse Lapa at the Polokwane Game Reserve was painted green and yellow as the Municipality bids farewell to the 2010 volunteers. The event, attended by the Host City’s over 400 volunteers was also graced by the Executive Mayor, Mr. Thabo Makunyane and the MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture in the Province, Mme Joyce Mashamba. Merit certificates were awarded to the volunteers who served as ambassadors during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ games.

These volunteers were, according to the Executive Mayor ‘the true stars of Polokwane’.

Mr. Makunyane also indicated that ‘it is the unwavering spirit of these ambassadors’, which made the City of Polokwane, to be counted amongst the successful hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. “We can never be able to express in words our sincerest gratitude on the immeasurable contribution that you have made”, the Executive Mayor concluded.

When handing out the certificates to the volunteers, MEC Mashamba also indicated that the Government of Limpopo is proud to be associated with such people who spend sleepless nights working for the country. “From now on, we know that we have people who can help us in case we have events of such magnitude”, said the MEC.

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Issued by the City of Polokwane
Contact: Ndavhe Ramakuela, 082 200 5357 Ndavher@polokwane.gov.za
Director 2010
Mantlako Sebaka 083 380 9252 Mantlakos@polokwane.gov.za
2010 Manager: Marketing and Communications