2010 CIO settles in

By Christelle du Toit, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 12 Jun 2008

The 2010 Local Organising Committee's (LOC's) new CIO, Phumlani Moholi, is awaiting approval for his proposed ICT resource plan.

Speaking at a 2010 briefing yesterday, Moholi said some eight days into the job, he was not yet ready to brief the media on the soccer World Cup's ICT preparations, but would do so in time.

"I am currently reviewing the [ICT] situation and looking at how to put a plan together," he said. "I've already put together a resource plan though, which now has to be approved, and it will have all the issues linking to it."

The LOC was reluctant for Moholi to give in-depth interviews to discuss his plans at this stage, saying he first has to settle in. As things stand, the ICT component of the World Cup preparations is set to cost billions, with government alone already having set aside R1.5 billion for it.

Telecommunications giants Telkom and MTN are major sponsors of the event and the fixed-line operator is responsible for providing the fixed communications backbone. Those close to the process have, however, been mum on where these preparations stand, and how much is being invested in them.

At the same time, the market is eagerly awaiting news on which local ICT companies will benefit from the event and how they will be involved, even though FIFA will supply a large component of the ICT requirements directly.

Yesterday marked two years, to the day, to the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup in SA.

Moholi comes from cellular operator MTN and, talking informally to ITWeb afterwards, insisted he was the right man for the job.

"I get things done," he said.

Moholi added that he was satisfied that all the other major ICT players involved in the 2010 preparations - such as Telkom and FIFA's international ICT partner Match - are all on-board.

However, he is adamant that "a lot of ramping-up" will have to take place, especially as the 2009 Confederations Cup nears. This event is generally considered to be the dry-run for the 2010 event.

Moholi succeeds Zakes Mnsisi as the man in the ICT hot seat, after Mnisi tendered his resignation earlier this year. This followed disciplinary steps instituted against him, relating to alleged financial impropriety.