Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is adamant that the country will achieve its aimed growth rate of six percent before the 2010 World Cup.

Opening the historic Business Opportunities Conference, Mlambo-Ngcuka said there was a greater possibility of reaching the target early.

Also present were Fifa president Sepp Blatter, deputy finance minister Jabu Moleketi, soccer bosses Molefi Oliphant, Danny Jordaan and Issa Hayatou.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said the World Cup was "indeed a great important economic opportunity for us in South Africa".

Mlambo-Ngcuka said the government was impressed that preparations for the World Cup were going according to plan.

"Fifa president Sepp Blatter has told me that they are very happy both with the concrete progress and with the ambience among the team responsible for preparations," she said.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said the government wanted to see the World Cup benefitting all the people, including those in small businesses.

She said if more people get a slice of the World Cup cake it will also result in more job opportunities, adding that more people will also have money to buy food for their families.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said people in the hospitality sector must be trained to render quality service to tourists.