Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

John Barnes, English soccer legend, and Liverpool University Football Academic chief Rogan Taylor are among the dignitaries expected in South Africa next Tuesday.

The duo will be here for a media briefing of the Soccerex, a money spinning exhibition hosted by the Gauteng government for the next three years.

Taylor will talk on "The Value of a World Cup", while Barnes will deal with the Soccerex Festival. Lucas Radebe, former Bafana Bafana captain, will also be there. Other speakers will include Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation and Local Organising Committee chief communicator Tim Modise.

Creecy will give the government's view in terms of the Soccerex. Modise will use the opportunity to brief the media on preparations for the 2010 World Cup. Mbhazima Shilowa, Gauteng Premier, has said they will use the Soccerex in November to showcase SA's readiness to host the World Cup.