South Africa's 2010 Cup challenge Money from the World Cup would be welcomed by township dwellers A ceremony is being held in Germany to officially hand over the World Cup to South Africa, which in 2010 will become the first African country to host the championship. The BBC's Mohammed Allie looks at what needs to be done. South Africa's 2010 football World Cup is set to be the most commercially successful since the first tournament was held 76 years ago. The event has already attracted more marketing and television attention than the 2006 event, according to Fifa President Sepp Blatter. "The market trusts Africa," Mr Blatter says. 2010 budget 5bn rand for stadiums 3.5bn rand other capital investment 5.2bn rand for upgrading airports 3.5bn rand for better roads and railways (7 rand = $1) "The contracts we have already signed for 2010 are higher than the contracts for 2006 in Germany by about 25%." Agreements with five strategic partners for 2010 are valued at more than 1bn Swiss francs (about $821 million). This dwarfs the 850m francs ($700m) worth of deals done for the German World Cup. Companies have to fork out around $125m to be one of the six worldwide partners involved with the 2010 World Cup. In addition there will also be eight World Cup sponsors and four to six national sponsors. Entry level sponsorship is likely to be around $40m. Confidence Being entrusted by Fifa to host its flagship event is indeed a massive vote of confidence in the infrastructure and organisational capacity of South Africa, more so since it will be the first time the event will be held on African soil. Events in recent months have, however, given the sceptics ample ammunition as South Africa's state of readiness comes under the microscope. The scepticism surfaced after potential shortcomings were exposed in the space of a few weeks earlier this year. This is an artists impression of the upgraded soccer city stadium in Johannesburg First, there were a series of unannounced cuts to Cape Town's electricity supply. Next, there was a report to Parliament's Communications Portfolio Committee which revealed that the country's 30-year old broadcast infrastructure was not ready to cope with the needs of the World Cup. Sentech Chief Executive Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane says a multibillion dollar investment in digital broadcasting transmission is needed to properly serve a worldwide television audience. Sentech, the state-owned national broadcasting signal distributor, is due for an upgrade which will allay fears about the broadcasting capacity while Eskom, the national electricity supplier, has already started plans to upgrade its capacity. Stadium row Transport is an ongoing headache: South Africa's cities rely on privately-owned minibus taxis, and long-anticipated plans to upgrade the fleet are only now starting to get under away. In this children's world cup in South Africa, Germany lost to Cuba The Gautrain, an ambitious rail project aimed at easing traffic congestion in the Johannesburg-Pretoria area, will only be partly completed by 2010. It will take tourists from the airport as far as the suburb of Sandton, but will go nowhere near any of the stadiums. In Cape Town, a proposed new 67,000-seat stadium, earmarked to host a semi-final match, has also got off to a faltering start. The city's new Mayor, Helen Zille, from the opposition Democratic Alliance, has questioned where the more than 1bn rand (about $160m) will come from to finance the construction of the stadium. Ms Zille does not want the stadium to sideline more pressing needs like housing, sanitation and other essential services for the city's poor. Even the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), allied to the ANC, supported the mayor's stance, saying the needs of the poor should come before an expensive football stadium. Ms Zille's fears on funding the stadium seem to have been allayed following a meeting with government officials and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), but there are still questions over the site of Cape Town's stadium. The designated area, which is magnificently located with Robben Island and Table Mountain on either side, will displace a 130-year-old golf course. This proposal has met with stiff opposition from local residents and members of the golf club. Still, most of the five new stadiums to be constructed in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Nelspruit are due to begin by November and are expected to be ready for trial runs at the 2009 Confederations Cup which features the champions of all six Fifa Confederations together with the World Champions and the host nation. Upgrades The other more established venues require minor upgrades which will commence at a later stage. "Many of the stadiums already have world class facilities and only require technical upgrades. The alterations at established venues such as Ellis Park, Bloemfontein and Soccer City can be left for a later date. With the continuous technical developments it makes sense to start these closer to 2010," says Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive of the LOC. Given the employment and business prospects associated with hosting an event as big as the World Cup, South Africa's beleaguered textile industry is hoping that the tournament will revive its fortunes. The industry, which has lost an estimated 200,000 jobs over the past five years due mainly to the influx of cheaper Chinese imports, is looking at cashing in on producing memorabilia like T-shirts, caps, hats and scarves. "The reason we're backing the World Cup is that there should be employment and procurement opportunities for locals. It shouldn't just benefit those who are already wealthy," says Tony Ehrenreich, Cosatu's Western Cape general secretary. "If we aren't happy with economic opportunities for locals we will be protesting at the 2010 World Cup." Opportunities Danny Jordaan agrees with the principle of using the tournament to provide economic opportunities, saying there were already policies in place to ensure the empowerment of black business and entrepreneurs. The LOC predicts that the tournament will create 160,000 jobs and will contribute more than 20 billion rand (about $3.6 billion) to the country's gross domestic product. Many local small business owners are, however, concerned that they may have to pay exorbitant licensing fees to Fifa, which controls its own marketing and television rights. This implies that companies which are not licensed by Fifa would not be able to sell their products or services in or around the World Cup venues. "Many local clothing manufacturers I've spoken to say they won't be able to afford the fees and would therefore simply try to sidestep the rules when the event draws closer," says Navavee Matthews, who works for a marketing company. The money-making potential of the World Cup is enormous and it will be a great tragedy if the expectations of so many of the country's aspirant entrepreneurs are stifled by Fifa's tight licensing conditions.

SA racist killer gets life term A psychologist rejected claims that Nel was mentally unfit to stand trial A judge has sentenced a 19-year-old white South African to four life terms in jail for killing four black people in a shooting spree in January. Those shot dead by Johan Nel included a three-month-old baby and a boy of 10. Witnesses told the court he shouted racist abuse while shooting. The killings led to angry protests by thousands of people. Correspondents say Nel showed no emotion as he was sentenced. The judge said racism could not be tolerated. Police spokesman Lesego Metsi said Judge Ronald Hendricks and the prosecuting lawyer were under police protection after receiving 50 death threats on their mobile phones, the South Africa Press Association reports. Superintendent Metsi told South Africa's Times newspaper that all the callers were white who said Judge Hendricks would be killed if he handed down a life sentence. Earlier psychologist Kobus Truter had rejected claims that Nel was mentally unfit to stand trial and had said he should be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in prison. Mr Truter said Nel, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, believed white people were under attack after his family and friends became the victims of several violent crimes. The Young Communist League welcomed the sentence for the shooting spree in the Skierlik settlement in a farming area of North West province. "This sends a strong message that perpetrators of heinous and racist murders will be brought to book and rot in jail," the league said in a statement. Nel was also sentenced to 68 years on 11 counts of attempted murder, five years for holding a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition.

Madonna granted divorce in London Neither Madonna nor Guy Ritchie were in court Pop star Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have been granted a divorce at the High Court in London. The decree nisi was granted just a month after the couple, who have three children, declared their eight-year marriage was over. A sworn statement released by the court showed the pop star petitioned for divorce on the grounds of Ritchie's unreasonable behaviour. Neither Madonna, 50, nor her film-maker husband, 40, were in court on Friday. In her sworn statement, Madonna said Ritchie's behaviour was continuing. Madonna also said in the statement that the couple had not been living at the same address for the six months before the date of the petition. The document was signed in Beverly Hills. Custody 'shared' The couple wed at Skibo Castle in Scotland in December 2000, and announced their separation last month after months of speculation. The case was listed before District Judge Reid alongside 16 others "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule". It has been reported that the couple did not demand a financial settlement from each other. Madonna is thought to be worth some £300m, while Ritchie is believed to have £30m in assets. Ritchie and Madonna will reportedly share custody The couple are also reported to have agreed to share custody of their two boys, Rocco, eight, and three-year-old adopted David Banda, while Madonna's daughter from an earlier relationship, 12-year-old Lourdes, will stay with her. Another statement released by the court showed Senior District Judge Philip Waller, who granted the divorce, was satisfied the court did not need to exercise powers under the Children Act. This suggests the couple had come to an agreement over custody before the divorce. Madonna is currently in the US playing dates on her Sticky & Sweet tour. Friday's hearing lasted six minutes, with the judge granting decrees to a total of 17 couples. If there are no disputes, a decree nisi can become a decree absolute within weeks, legally ending the marriage.

Obama victory speech: 'This is your victory' President elect Barack Obama has addressed supporters in Chicago after beating John McCain to become the next US president. Below is the speech. Obama: Hello, Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America. It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America. A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain. Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them. And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America. To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way. To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep. It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth. This is your victory. And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education. There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other. Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity. Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing:

THIS IS STRONG PRAYER Stars do not struggle to shine, rivers do not struggle to flow, and you will never struggle to excel in life, because you deserve the best. Hold on to your dream and it shall be well with you... Amen. The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever, remain in God's love. Good morning, your dream will not die, your plans will not fail, your destiny will not be aborted, and the desire of your heart will be granted in Jesus' name. Say a big Amen and if you believe it, send it to all your friends. Money will know your name and address before the end of this month. If you believe, send it back to all your friends. None goes to the river early in the morning and brings dirty water. As you are up this morning, may your life be clean, calm and clear like the early morning water. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen. Love the Lord. Have a wonderful day in Jesus' name. The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you. I see something good happening to you, something that you have been waiting to experience. This is not a joke; you are going to receive a divine visitation that will move your life forward mightily by the outworking of God's unstoppable Power. You are blessed beyond all causes in Jesus' name!!! AAAMEN!!!!!!!!!!! NA IWE HIVYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAND AND STONE TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT. DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE. THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE. THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OA SI S, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE ! AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE ". THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?" THE FRIEND REPLIED "WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE I T DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT." LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE. THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON, AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM. SEND THIS TO THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER FORGET. I JUST DID IF YOU DON'T SEND IT TO ANYONE, IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS. TAKE TIME TO LIVE! DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE ! AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK, THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE GET THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vodacom, a cell phone service provider has donated 11 computers valued at Tsh.8 million to Arusha Secondary School. Vodacom’s country financial controller George Kagaruki, handed the computers to the school headmaster Shaaban Mgunya, saying it was part of social services support his company extended to the society. Speaking at the hand over ceremony, the headmaster thanked the company for its support adding that the school was now better equipped with new computers for both staff and students’ use. The school founded in 1962 has a student population of 1,560 but lacked basic services such as computers. It had only five computers. The school board Chairman Michael Sanga called on other business companies to emulate Vodacom’s example by supporting schools. Sanga said at present the school was in dire need of funds for fencing of the school campus to ensure safety of school property.

Bank of Africa Ltd (BOA), which entered into Tanzania’s banking industry early last year has opened a branch in Arusha town. The state of the art branch which is housed at the Arusha Co-operative Union (ACU) building was officially launched by Arusha’s Regional Commissioner Isidore Shirima on October 29. The Regional Commissioner said one of the major problems facing Small and Medium (SMEs) in Tanzania today was lack of capital to boost their small business ventures. “I am now beginning to sense a sigh of relief after learning that the Bank of Africa has designed loan packages tailored to meet the needs of SMEs. I hope these loans will continue to enable small businesses to flourish and grow rapidly,” said Mr. Shirima. Bank of Africa is one of the fastest growing commercial banks in the country. Apart from Arusha branch, the bank has five others in Dar es Salaam – Msimbazi branch, Sinza branch, Airport branch, National Development Corporation (NDC) branch, and Tandika branch. It also has one branch in Mwanza. During the official launch of Arusha branch, the bank’s managing director; Kobena Andah said the simultaneous opening of Mwanza and Arusha branches was in partial fulfillment of the promise the Bank of Africa (BOA) had made when it entered Tanzania’s banking industry early last year. “We serve the corporate, retail and consumer segments of the market and although we like to be referred as a universal bank, our bread and butter is the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” said Kobena, “Our SME products will undoubtedly bring relief to SME customers in Arusha town who now obtain short - term finance designed to fit into their cash-flow cycles without the hassle of providing the traditional collateral.” he adds. Speaking during the official launch of Arusha branch, the Bank’s Chairman, Ambassador Fulgence Kasaura, said his bank intended to work with the government in its efforts to eradicate poverty across the country. “We have made major strides in our efforts to support Small and Medium Enterprises across the country.” Paul Derreumaux, who is the founding member, Bank of Africa Group- Mali as well president Bank of Africa Ltd (T), said his bank was determined to serve Tanzanian’s banking public and that is why the bank chose to invest in Tanzania. He said his bank plans to open more branches in Tanzania so as to satisfy unmet demand.

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has called on President Robert Mugabe to form a new government quickly, despite protests by opposition leaders. Zanu-PF urged Mr Mugabe to follow the recommendation of the regional group Sadc, which said on Sunday that rival parties should share a key ministry. The opposition wants to control the home ministry, including the police. Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC have been disagreeing over the make-up of a power-sharing government. The two parties signed an agreement in September that was intended to end Zimbabwe's ongoing political crisis. Disagreements Under the terms of the deal Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was supposed to be named prime minister, with Robert Mugabe remaining as president. But the two parties have been unable to agree about the distribution of key ministries, and analysts say the deal is close to collapse. The latest blow to the deal came on Sunday, with the recommendation by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) that the home ministry should be shared. Mr Tsvangirai rejected the proposal. Mr Mugabe was re-elected as Zimbabwe's president in June, after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew from the second round of voting citing violence. Zimbabwe is suffering from severe food shortages and rampant inflation, and the MDC leader has warned that a million Zimbabweans could starve to death in a year if the political deadlock continues.