Joburg to spend millions on 2010

IN his recent budget speech, the mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, committed more than R1bn in projects and upgrades in the run up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In total the city has committed R1,4bn, which will go to a R20m precinct plan for Ellis Park; R15m for the Nasrec project which will see further development for business tourism, conferences and exhibitions; R18,5m for upgrading Dobsonville and Orlando stadiums; and R25m on the Mobility and Connectivity Programme, which will facilitate improved transport in the ‘2010 footprint’. The mayor also outlined several economic development projects which will have either a direct or indirect impact on tourism to and in the city. These include the Greater Kliptown Regeneration Project, which includes the development of the Sisulu Freedom Square. Tolstoy Farm will be developed as a heritage site, closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi. The city also plans to develop Gautrain precincts around the train’s major stations and inner city regeneration will continue, following on from the successes in Newtown, Constitution Hill, and the Nelson Mandela Bridge. (Darren Sandras)