World Cup stadia: 'SA tops Germany'

Durban -  Attending the Tourism Indaba in Durban on Saturday, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke
said South Africa's stadia were better than that used by Germany when it hosted the last World Cup.

Valcke flanked by the Local Organising Committee, chief executive officer,  Danny Jordaan, said from June to July South
Africa would be the most important country in the world.

   Addressing the event, President Jacob Zuma re-affirmed South Africa's readiness to host the 2010 World Cup, saying the country
would be under the microscopic scrutiny of the international community during the soccer tournament.

   "Our delivery of the World Cup will impact on how the world sees  Africa. It is in our hands to recast our country as a place of
peace and prosperity. Let us join hands for a successful World Cup,” he said.

   "You would have noticed also that the stadiums are ready, the host-cities are ready. South Africa is ready. The pieces of the
puzzle are falling into place and that picture is of a memorable and successful World Cup."

   He said the Tourism Indaba has for the past 20 years showcased the country's natural beauty, its friendly people and modern
nation.

   "It has ensured that we maintain the standards set by the global tourism industry. This Indaba has ensured that this year we will
break the 10 million mark for tourist arrivals."

Durban will be the home of the Tourism Indaba for the next five years, the Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced.

   Van Schalkwyk made this announcement a the official opening of the Indaba, 33 days before South Africa hosts the World Cup.

- Sapa