Dispute Drags on Over eThekwini Beachfront Beautification Project

A land battle between a beachfront property owner and the eThekwini municipality is heating up. The city is arguing that the landowner has deliberately stalled the renovation of his beachfront amusement park, which was to be beautified ahead of the World Cup. The new set of delays could push back a legal decision -- and any work -- until mid-May.

But Steyn said in the latest round of papers filed with the Durban High Court that this was "disingenuous and unconvincing", and asked why the council could not find space elsewhere for the traders.

"It seems it is intent on advancing, for its own commercial gain, the rights of other commercial entities to the detriment of the applicant.

"Surely the location of street traders is irrelevant to the success and future opportunities of the World Cup," he said.

The council, in its previous papers, disclosed that Steyn had complained about loss of income and asked for compensation of R1.5-million, which had been refused. Steyn insisted that his business had suffered during the upgrade, with telephone lines, water and electricity frequently cut off. He said three of the four entrances to his park were also closed off.

Beachfront battle turns ugly
The Mercury
April 22, 2010

Cape Town Square to Host Fan Park

A town square in front of Cape Town's city hall will be transformed into a fan park for one month during the World Cup tournament.

The historic square opposite the city hall will be the official fan park for the World Cup.

Phase one of a multi-phased upgrade has been completed, with city officials expected to add the final touches closer to the event.

The 2010 Fifa fan fest tender was last month awarded to a joint venture between World Sport, VWV and Grand Parade Investments. World Sport is also the organiser of the J and B Met.

Get ready for a Grand Parade World Cup bash
Cape Argus
February 2, 2010

Community Soccer Fields Spreading into Underprivileged Areas

A nonprofit group in South Africa is moving ahead with its plans to build community soccer fields in underprivileged areas. Officials say 15 "dream fields" will be completed by the World Cup.

“We are just finishing our ninth and tenth [soccer] fields at the moment. Our total invest- ments in disadvantaged communities will be about R13,5-million at the end of 2009,” Dreamfields founder and CEO John Perlman, a well-known media personality, tells Engineering News exclusively.

He adds that, this year, the organisation will be building two more fields in the Bushbuck Ridge area and will be returning to its very first field in Tshisahulu, in Venda, to turf it.

“We hope to reach the target of 15 fields before the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

Football charity aims to build 15 ‘dream fields’ before World Cup kick-off
Engineering News
January 15, 2010