Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

The revamped Nelson Mandela Peace Challenge in Phokeng on March 28 presents South Africa with a golden opportunity to showcase its readiness for the 2010 World Cup.

This is according to Irvin Khoza, the chief patron of the South African Peace Conference that will be attended by the Nobel Peace Committee in Jozi on March 27.

Bafana Bafana will take on Norway in the Challenge game - an international friendly held in honour of Nelson Mandela - at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

This is a massive historic event as it will be the first time that the Nobel Peace Committee holds a meeting outside its headquarters in Norway.

"It is a great honour to host such a big event, where heads of state will also be attending. We will also brief them about the World Cup preparations," said Khoza.

"We are naturally delighted that some of the dignitaries attending the peace conference will also be joining us in Phokeng for the Bafana Bafana and Norway game.

"It's a fitting tribute and ideal way to end the Conference [with a game] since Norway is the home of the internationally recognized and prestigious Nobel Peace Prize and was also one of South Africa's biggest supporters in the struggle for liberation."

The historic conference will also be attended by some of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and representatives of the Norwegian and South African governments.

The South African Nobel Peace Prize Laureates are Madiba, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk.

Nketu Matima, Rustenburg Municipality World Cup director, said they were happy that the upgrading of the stadium has been completed.