A new feature film called the Human Factor, directed by
Clint Eastwood is about to start shooting. Based on South
Africa's 1995 World Cup victory and Nelson Mandela this
reflects a great moment in our country's history. You only
have to watch some of the commercials on television to
realise how much of our advertising reflects this.

2010 has brought with it the opportunity to upgrade many of
our Province's facilities, adding world class glamour to
these potential locations. But be prepared for some major
filming restrictions before, during and after both the
Confederations Cup in June 2009 and the World Cup in June
2010, especially in the surrounding precincts of the three
official stadia.

There are also expected to be minor restrictions for
training stadia and base camps (some of which still have to
be announced). Although Johannesburg and Tshwane may be
over-subscribed during the Confederations Cup and World
Cup, remember that Gauteng has many other great
opportunities in terms of sports grounds and accommodation
and would be delighted to host film crews!

Gauteng definitely is not just about the 'big three' 2010
FIFA World Cup stadiums and the Province has many sports
grounds throughout the main cities and towns, some of which
have been in the international spotlight before.

Two of South Africa's most important rugby stadia are in
Gauteng: Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane, home of the Blue
Bulls, and Ellis Park (recently renamed Coca-Cola Park) in
Johannesburg, where the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup
in 1995. Also within the Ellis Park precinct is the Joburg
Stadium, which is dedicated to athletics. The official home
of Gauteng cricket is The Wanderers Cricket Stadium.
Together with Supersport Park in Centurion, Tshwane, and
Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, it played a
significant role in the success of the 2003 Cricket World
Cup.

Gauteng is to be home to three 2010 FIFA World Cup
stadiums. Ellis Park stadium and Soccer City stadium in
Johannesburg and Tshwane's Loftus Versfeld are all being
upgraded to World Cup standards. Loftus Versfeld and Royal
Bafokeng are privately-owned venues, while Ellis Park is on
long-lease arrangement, with Soccer City stadium, which was
previously owned and managed by the South African Football
Association, being returned to the State, and managed by
the City of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg 2010: Soccer City Stadium, or the FNB Stadium
as it is known, situated in Nasrec, is the flagship venue
for the Soccer World Cup 2010, and it will be hosting both
the opening match and the final. Soccer City Stadium is the
largest in Africa. The stadium provides 80 000 plastic
bucket seats, and has a two metre 'moat' to protect the
players from the fans. The upper tier has been extended
around the stadium and 99 corporate boxes added, to
increase the capacity to 94 700. An encircling roof was
added, creating the impression of a giant calabash. Soccer
City is home to the South African Football Association and
the home ground for Orlando Pirates.

With four months to go before the 2009 FIFA Confederations
Cup kicks off in June, renovations at Ellis Park, the host
stadium of the opening and final matches, are complete with
only final touches left. Ellis Park has undergone major
changes. A new roof has been added with the west, south and
north stands being revamped and additional seating added.
New change rooms, VIP, media and medical facilities and a
new entrance facade to the north stand have been built. It
can now seat 62 000 football fans.

With the completion of the stadium, the focus has shifted
towards the precinct upgrade, which is also nearing
completion. Landscaping includes a water feature between
Ellis Park Stadium and Johannesburg Stadium as well as
public art installations. The Olympic-size swimming pool in
the sports precinct has also been upgraded.

Johannesburg is also host to training venues. Dobsonville
Stadium in Soweto has undergone refurbishments to the tune
of R69million in preparation for being one of the three
official training venues for the World Cup. The old stadium
has been completely revamped, with a new grandstand and
world-class facilities added. It has a contemporary design
with a roof covering spectators on the grandstand. Four
floodlit towers at each of the four corners of the stadium
will provide lighting. New polycarbonate seat have been
installed all round the stadium and it will double up as an
athletics venue and a synthetic track.

The other two training venues are Orlando Stadium, also in
Soweto, and Rand Stadium, in the south of the City.

Tshwane 2010: Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Sunnyside is one
of South Africa's oldest and most established stadiums and
the site has been used for sports events since 1903.
Construction at the stadium is almost complete. The new
roof over the eastern pavilion is a major upgrade project.

In addition, the stadium is also receiving new media and
venue operations centres. Loftus is home to the premier
soccer league club, Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as the Blue
Bulls.

Tshwane's training venues include the Super Stadium at
Atteridgeville, a 25 000 seat stadium. Since 2007 the
stadium has undergone substantial upgrade including the
construction of a new main pavilion, VIP suites and new
flood lighting and is now at a stage where it can be used
for international matches. The HM Pitje Stadium is also a
25 000 seater and its 2010 upgrade includes a brand new
main pavilion.

Ekurhuleni 2010: While none of the World Cup matches will
be played in Ekurhuleni, there are four potential practice
stadiums namely Sinaba, Vosloosrus, Makhulong, and
Katlehong stadiums. Construction at Makhulong Stadium is
well on track and scheduled to be ready by the middle of
2009.

With a planned capacity of about 15 000 seats, the stadium
will comply with all FIFA and Premier Soccer League (PSL)
requirements. These include flood lights, player and
management facilities, security, amenities, VIP and V-VIP
areas as well as a 200 square meter media facility. Mogale
City Kaizer Chiefs will become the first team in South
Africa to own their own stadium when the 55 000 Seater
Amakhosi Stadium is completed this year.

The new stadium, which is being developed at a cost of R1.2
billion, will be part of a greater sports precinct being
developed 40km West of Johannesburg.

Sedibeng: Although not an official training ground the
George Thabe Stadium in Vereeniging has been upgraded. A
lot of work is being done in and around the stadium as part
of a larger Sedibeng 2010 precincts project.