South Africa : LOC goes on marketing offensive

By Simangaliso Zwane

Johannesburg - The Local Organising Committee (LOC) has unveiled its marketing and promotional campaign for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, heeding to FIFA President Sepp Blatter's call for more proactive marketing.

LOC Chief Marketing Officer Derek Carstens said on Friday that the LOC would roll out a massive public awareness campaign from Sunday.

"It is important to get the message out there now because people are still unaware of the quality of the tournament," he said, adding that the Confederations Cup would be promoted as an appetizer to the main event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The campaigns will include billboards, pole adverts, television and radio infomercials and newspaper campaigns.

The first adverts were expected to run in the Sunday Newspapers and broadcast on Sunday.

The advertising campaigns will run until 23 November 2008 - a day after the draw and ticket sales for the tournament will kickoff. The Sunday also marks the official opening of Orlando Stadium in Soweto which will be used as a training venue during the world cup.

The LOC has already begun promoting the event through the My 2010 School Adventure campaign which is currently running at 8 000 schools around South Africa.

Mr Carstens lauded the campaign as successful and educational, saying the school children who participated took the message to their communities.

LOC CEO Danny Jordaan said preparations for both the Confederations Cup and the world cup were well on track and urged all South Africans to rally behind Bafana Bafana and the tournament.

Tickets for the event start at R70. The Confederations Cup runs from 14 June to 28 June 2009 and will feature Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, United States of America and hosts South Africa. - BuaNews

Houses in Molweni damaged in floods to be re-built

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele has assured residents of Molweni in Durban that the houses which were destroyed in a storm on Friday will be re-built before Christmas.

The premier visited the area on Saturday, accompanied by MEC for Social Development Meshack Hadebe and MEC for Housing, Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu and Mayor Obed Mlaba to assess the damage and speak with the residents.

He also conveyed condolences to the families of those who died as a result of the storm, and to assure residents that government will do everything possible to ensure that their lives are restored to normality as soon as possible.

"The devastation and mayhem caused by this storm is unbelievable. We will ensure that those houses that have been destroyed by the storm are re-built before Christmas.

"The provincial government will also take care of the funerals of those who have lost their lives and will provide the necessary support and counselling. We will do everything possible to ensure that your lives are returned to normality as soon as possible," said Mr Ndebele.

He called on the province to lend support to those who were affected by the storm by giving them whatever they can.

"Let's see the sprit of Ubuntu in action. Open your wardrobes and donate a shirt, trousers or shoes. Whatever you give will make a difference. We also want to encourage people to assist with the displaced children. Let's also mobilise social workers and the religious community for counseling," said the premier.

He further expressed thanks and appreciation to the various individuals and organisations that had partnered with government and already donated food, clothing and other necessities.

Individuals and organisations wishing to make donations are requested to contact S'bu Hadebe on 082 805 5480. - BuaNews