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Dr Phaahla to step down from 2010 FIFA World CupT Government Unit
13 March 2008
Dr Joe Phaahla, the Director-General for the 2010 FIFA World CupT Government Unit, has requested the Minister of Sport and Recreation Rev Dr Makhenkesi Stofile to shorten his three-year contract which was to end in August 2008.
Dr Phaahla approached the Minister in January 2008 to indicate that he would not be available for any extension of his current contract. He further requested that his contract be shortened in order to allow an earlier handover to a new head of the 2010 FIFA World CupT Government Unit, considering the fact that the World Cup is less than 30 months away. The Minister has acceded to Dr Phaahla's request and he will leave the government service on 31 March 2008.
Dr Phaahla has indicated that he wished to focus on opportunities in the private sector and also that he wishes to spend more time on African National Congress (ANC) work, following his election into the National Executive Committee at the Polokwane Conference in December 2007.
Dr Phaahla has thanked President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister Stofile, the other Ministers serving in the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee and especially Deputy Minister Jabu Moleketi, the Chairperson of the 2010 Technical Co-ordinating Committee who has been a pillar of strength. He expressed his gratitude to Cabinet for appointing him in this position in August 2005 and gave them an assurance that the 2010 Government Unit was fully functional and would be able to continue co-ordinating government work on preparations for the 2010 FIFA World CupT.
Dr Phaahla also thanked the Directors-General and 2010 Co-ordinators of various national departments who have played a major role thus far in the Government preparation for the 2010 FIFA World CupT. He also expressed a word of gratitude to the Board, management and staff of the LOC for their support over last two-years. He also thanked the managers at Host Cities and provincial governments all of whom worked very well with him and his team. He urged all role-players to continue supporting the Government team responsible for the 2010 preparations.
He also expressed his confidence that the 2010 FIFA World CupT will be the best ever with a distinct African flavour. Minister Stofile thanked Dr Phaahla on behalf of the Cabinet and on his own behalf for his loyal service to government and the people of South Africa and wished him well in his new endeavours.
Enquiries:
Monde Mkalipi
Cell: 082 575 3976
Esther Mogotsi
Cell: 072 856 4288
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
13 March 2008