Durban - Soccer lovers in rural KwaZulu-Natal will not miss out on the World Cup experience with R80 million being spent on setting up 10 public viewing areas (PVA) across the province's rural communities.
Acting MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Ina Cronje, unveiled the PVA programme in Durban on Thursday.
"The aim of this programme is ensure that when we all draw down the curtain to the biggest sporting spectacle on earth, all of us would have experienced the excitement of the world cup," Cronje said.
The MEC added that this programme is also part of the province's 2010 economic growth strategy to offer locals economic benefits in their respective districts.
The programme is supported by nine government departments and 10 municipalities and at least 120 SMMEs and co-operatives will be afforded the opportunity to trade at the PVA venues.
Local artists, comedians, poets, community radio DJ's and 320 visual artists in the province, have been selected to perform at the PVAs.
To address the issue around safety, Cronje said specially trained community 2010 safety volunteers will be used across the 10 PVAs.
Cronje added: "It is also important to stress that the KZN PVAs are in keeping with the FIFA regulations and the entrance is free. This means that all members of the community in the respective districts can come and experience the pleasure of watching the games on the screens."
The PVAs will feature staging and screening facilities, soccer clinics, catering facilities, food, beverage and liquor sales.
The public viewing areas are:
Pietermaritzburg: Ndumiso College Sports Ground
Empangeni: eSikhawini College
Ladysmith: Ezakheni College Sports Ground
Port Shepstone: Gamalakhe-Sayidi FET College
Zululand- Ulundi Stadium
Greytown: Nhlalakahle Sports Ground
Stanger: KwaDukuza Sports Ground
Kokstad: Bhongwoni Soccer Stadium
Mtubatuba: KwaMasame Sports Ground
New Castle: Osizweni Sports Ground
