Sewerage project to offer fertile opportunities

The Sedibeng Municipality will embark on an extensive sewer upgrade to create business opportunities, improve basic services and boost tourism in the area.

According to Colin Mokoena, spokesperson for the Sedibeng Municipality, the project is in the detailed design stage and they are still completing the Environmental Impact Assessment. No tenders have been awarded yet and the entire upgrade is expected to be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Broad-based black economic empowerment targets have been set for this R614 million project, so there are ample business possibilities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “It will involve the laying of pipes and construction works, so there will be opportunities for small and larger contractors,” Mokoena says.

Further to construction opportunities, the municipality hopes that the project will boost the tourism industry and attract investment. Mokoena explains that once an area has infrastructure and basic services to accommodate more people, then more businesses will meet the greater demand for services and become attractive investment options.
. For more information about the upgrade, visit www.sedibeng.gov.za.

Concern over WC sex tourism

Durban sex workers are calling on the authorities not to legalise prostitution for the 2010 World Cup. The issue is fast becoming a hot potato with police chiefs admitting that they are unsure of how to handle the issue. A group of past and present sex workers have spoken out about sex tourism. They say the emphasis should be on encouraging women away from this profession by giving them alternatives.

Earlier this year, police commissioner Jackie Selebi expressed his concerns about ’soccer hooligans’ who are expected to imbibe in public places and those who would feel the urge to pick up prostitutes.

The South African Law Reform Commission says it is looking at the experiences of other countries like Germany and Australia which have legalised prostitution.

Volunteers on board for preliminary draw

KwaZulu-Natal’s department of sports and recreation has begun the process of signing up volunteers for the 2010 World Cup. Jomo Biyela, the Durban’s 2010 World Cup strategic manager confirmed that the issue was finalised this weekend and the first recruits will be deployed for the 2010 preliminary draw in the city in November.

‘Those volunteers will be trained by experts on how to do whatever we are going to sign them up to do as part of the tournament.’ The volunteers will be separated into two groups – general and specific. He said his department which is working closely with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), has set aside a budget to train volunteers. The LOC says it will sign up 15 000 volunteers nationally to assist in staging a successful tournament.

R19bn upgrade for airports

The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) says it will be spending in excess of R19 billion on infrastructure to accommodate growing passenger numbers through its 10 airports around the country. About R4.9bn of the budgeted expenditure is being spent in the 12-month period to March 2008. With the 2010 World Cup looming fast, Acsa is expecting passenger numbers to grow to 45m from the current 32.8m. Passenger demand has been affected by the entry of low cost carriers into the market.
Photo: Project 2010