The City of Johannesburg and the private sector have contributed R1 billion towards upgrading the Nasrec precinct ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The City of Johannesburg and the private sector have contributed R1 billion towards upgrading the Nasrec precinct ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The precinct includes Soccer City, the venue which will make history by hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the tournament.

Also to be built on the precinct will be a 500 residential unit and a four-star hotel, which will help ease the accommodation challenges in 2010.

Amos Masondo, Johannesburg's mayor, said they would use R120 million to upgrade the precinct, where the International Broadcast Centre for the World Cup will be.

Masondo said the money will be used to rent and upgrade the required halls and facilities from the Expo Centre.

"In addition, the city will provide various services relating to electricity installation, security and monitoring, waste removal, health and transport.