Wednesday 31 January 2007 marked a new chapter in South African football history as the South African Football Association (SAFA) were given the keys to their new headquarters, SAFA House.
SAFA will, however, need to wait a little longer before they take up residence in their new Soweto base, which is set to serve another purpose in the build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ . That will involve bringing together under one roof the 'machinery' of South Africa 2010: the Local Organising Committee, the FIFA South Africa office and the FIFA ticketing and accommodation entity MATCH, all of whom move in today.
The location of SAFA House is just a few metres from the site of Soccer City, the 2010 FIFA World Cup's flagship stadium . The chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Irvin Khoza said that the completion of SAFA House was an auspicious occasion as the headquarters would become part of the FIFA World Cup's African legacy, built as it was as a direct result of hosting the tournament. He also jokingly assured the President of SAFA, Dr Molefi Oliphant, that the LOC "will not falter on our rent!"
Special mention was made of Dennis Mumble, who was instrumental in the conceptualisation and implementation of the building's construction. The dome-shaped football roof is influenced by the South American Football Confederation's (CONMEBOL) headquarters in Asuncion,
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Danny Jordaan,
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The official opening of SAFA House will take place next month, but the first operational day for its new tenants will be on 5 February 2007.
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