Zweli Mokgata

Zweli Mokgata

The National Treasury has allocated an additional R13,3billion to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, bringing the total government contribution up to R17,4billion.

Analysts agree that the World Cup has played a major role in the way government has handled infrastructure development in this year's Budget.

"The Local Organising Committee for the Fifa World Cup has reached agreement with municipalities on the budgets for the construction and upgrading of stadiums and that these agreements are within the R8,4billion set aside for stadiums (along with R9billion for transport infrastructure)," said Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

"The World Cup has been a galvanising force for delivery of much needed infrastructure and services," said Futuregrowth director Andrew Canter.

The R8,4billion will go towards the building of new stadiums in Cape Town, eThekwini (Durban), Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth), Mbombela and Polokwane. Stadiums in Johannesburg, Mangaung (Bloemfontein), Rustenburg and Tshwane will be upgraded to meet Fifa standards.