In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge for South Africa in organising the next FIFA World Cup?
The challenge for South Africa is to deliver the FIFA World Cup – and to deliver it at the highest possible level. They will do it, especially with all the arrangements they have made in terms of construction, technical and logistical infrastructure; transport, hospitality, accommodation etc. South Africa is an organised country. They haven’t had all the civic and political rights other countries have had until 1994, so it is a young republic, but an organised one. Therefore, it is not a difficult task to make this FIFA World Cup a success. But this is not just a FIFA World Cup for South Africa; it is an African World Cup. As the former President of South Africa [Thabo] Mbeki said: “We must make sure that this is the African World Cup.” Do you think that the global economic crisis will have an impact on the preparations for the FIFA World Cup? No, it will not have an impact because the FIFA World Cup will take place. The budgets have been composed, given and ratified. Naturally, we mig
