More than 8.500 celebrated Spain's win in the World Cup Final on Sunday

12 July 2010: Spain has beaten the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final. And has also won the FIFA Fair Play award for their exemplary disciplinary record during the tournament. More than 8.500 soccer fans followed the triumph at the absolutely sold out International Football Village. With that, Spain has stamped their authority over the world of football, as only two years after they were crowned European Champions, they are now champions of the world as well.

“We have made history”

10 July 2010: “We were afforded the opportunity to make history with this World Cup, and we have achieved that aim”, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Gert Oosthuizen, said at a panel discussion on the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Ke Nako Africa. “Historians will reflect upon this World Cup as the moment when Africa stood tall”, Oosthuizen stated. UN Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, added: “All doubters were wrong. Everybody who was critical about South Africa have had to change their minds.” The most important legacy of the World Cup is the positive image of South Africa and the entire African continent. “We have gotten the image of a country that can deliver, and that will facilitate future growth”, Oosthuizen explained.

Energy Day

1 July 2010: The issue of energy is one of the most important and most dynamic fields of the development efforts of Southern Africa. SADC and the German Embassy in South Africa will host an entire Energy Day at the International Football Village on 2 July, consisting of a get-together of relevant stakeholders, two key-note addresses and a panel discussion including high-ranking actors from politics, business and development cooperation – as well as a joint public viewing of a World Cup match. The major topics of the day will be renewable energy in Southern Africa and investment in energy infrastructure. So take part at IFV`s Soccer City Stadium.

Premier visits International Football Village

30 June 2010: It’s not just locals and international visitors who have found the International Football Village the place to be during the World Cup™, Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokoyane has also become a big fan. “The Premier joined us on Tuesday afternoon and we couldn’t have been happier to host her,” says Jazzman Mahlakgane, Marketing Director of the Birchwood Hotel and O.R. Tambo Conference Centre.

International Football Village – it’s the only place to see South Africa’s top acts!

26 June 2010: We have made it our mission that our Village was not only going to be about football for the duration of the tournament but also about showing South African hospitality and what better way to do so then by showcasing some of our top local bands to all our international visitors. So next week Wednesday (20h00) will see the Parlotones hit the stage, followed by Big Nuz on the first of July (20h00) and Crashcarburn returns to the stage on the 3rd of July (18h30).

Panel discussion on regional integration and investment

25 June 2010: “We must produce a conducive environment to attract investment, especially in regional infrastructure. Infrastructure is the key factor to facilitate trade and the movement of goods in order to improve the lives of people in our region”, the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Dr Augusto Tomáz Salomão, stated yesterday at a panel discussion at Ke Nako Africa at the International Football Village. Together with Reginald Tekateka, TAC Chair from the African Water Minister Council, Helen Mealins, Director of UK Department for International Development Southern Africa (DFID), Peter Budd, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, and Stephan Klaus Ohme, First Counsellor for Development Co-operation at the German Embassy Pretoria, Salomão discussed regional integration and investment opportunities in the fifteen SADC Member States. Visit the next panel discussion “Is it a Man’s Game? – Empowering girls through football” on Saturday at 11h30 at IFV`s Ellis Park Stadium.

► full programme Ke Nako Africa

Visit of German Federal Development Minister

24 June: The International Football Village, today also further strengthened its commitment as serving as a platform for political visits and bilateral meetings between Africa and Germany, when they hosted the annual general meeting of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Key note speaker the German Federal Development minister, Mr Dirk Niebel was also on hand. Together with the executive secretary of Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tomaz Salomão, once the meeting was concluded, he visited the Ke Nako Africa Exhibition which can be found in the International Football Village.

Adjusted opening hours

24 June 2010: Please note that our International Football Village will open the next days at 13h00 as the first games are only at 16h00. So every day from 13h00 the IFV offers entertainment such as the Brazilian Beach Bar, the Bavarian Beerhouse, the Birchwood Shebeen as well as the African Market and the Kids Corner. Restaurants and pubs aplenty will add to the ambience, and there are regular live performances of spectacular South Africa music acts.

This weekend is Family Weekend

24 June 2010: True to our claim “One Family” International Football Village caters also for the youngest. Our kids corner, for Children under 12, offers entertainment such as arts and crafts, face painting, movies and sport activities. And that’s not enough…our Family-Special at this weekend: Bring 2 or more children and the whole family gets in for free.

Business Round Table “Baden-Württemberg meets South Africa”

23. June 2010: Yesterday several business partners followed the invitation of Ernst Pfister, Minister of Economics of Baden-Württemberg, to join discussions in the areas of Energy, Environment, Automotive and Training at the International Football Village. Experts, both from South Africa and Baden‐Württemberg, addressed these topics and highlighted the current developments. Baden‐Württemberg is the third largest province of the Federal Republic of Germany. The province is the home of companies that are also operating in South Africa, to name but a few: Mercedes‐Benz, SAP, Bosch and Festo. Thus, Baden‐Württemberg and South Africa have a strong and established business relationship. But also in areas such as skills development, technology transfer and tourism, the two countries are working closely together.

International Football Village proud of Bafana Bafana

22 June 2010: South Africa has scarcely missed the „miracle of Bloemfontein“. In spite of 2:1 (2:0) against France and ear-deafening support by own fans Bafana Bafana retired as the first host in the world championship history after the qualifying round. The International Football Village was in full green and gold mode this afternoon. Thousands followed the call of the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile to “support our boys regardless of if they win or lose.”

► It does not matter that we did not qualify! (pps)

Invitation: Exhibition of contemporary art - by David Brown

21 June 2010: Although David Brown is Johannesburg’s newest major art dealer he has already garnered a formidable reputation for handling some of South Africa’s finest contemporary painters, sculptors, ceramicists and photographers. So don’t miss this exhibition of affordable contemporary art at the International Football Village.

► www.davidbrownfineart.co.za

International Football Village becomes cultural melting pot

20 June 2010: The International Football Village was a sea of orange yesterday as the Dutch fans came out in full support of their team against Japan. Defeating the Asian team 1 – 0, sent the Oranje supporters into a celebratory frenzy. Not only did the International Football Village play host to Dutch and Japanese fans on Saturday, but fans supporting various teams could be found on site. The Village has become a true cultural melting pot with people not only finding like minded supporters but visitors wearing Brazilian or Spanish colours getting behind the Dutch too!

IT’S TIME TO PATA PATA – 24th June Lira live on stage

17 June 2010: One of South Africa’s hottest musical experts Lira will be performing on 24th June at International Football Village. She has enjoyed international success since being announced as the winner of the Channel O Real Music Award in 2004. Lira's original compositions are distinctly refreshing, evoking authentic expressions of contemporary jazz, and a fusion of Xhosa and Zulu lyrics with Latin rhythms that is irresistibly intoxicating. Visitors to the Village will undoubtedly enjoy what she has to offer including her hit song, Feel Good.

Free admission for students

16 June 2010: Due to the outstanding support that the International Football Village has received from students in and around Gauteng – the Village has decided that as from today, college and university students do not have to pay R100.00 for entrance. However, they will be asked to produce their student cards to be allowed in. * Only on the 02, 03 July

Bryanston Organic Market opened during World Cup at International Football Village

14 June 2010: Johannesburg’s oldest and most popular organic outdoor market has not only opened on Thursdays and Saturdays in Bryanston, the market has now also open the whole period of the World Cup at the International Football Village. More than 25 stallholders joined the idea to show their hand crafted goods, unique art and photography, clothing made from natural fibres and their fresh organic products to soccer fans from all over the world.

► www.bryanstonorganicmarket.co.za

8,000 visitors celebrate the first World Cup Day at International Football Village

11 June 2010: Today more than 8,000 soccer fans celebrated the first day of the World Cup 2010 at IFV. "It is a once in a life time experience to be here, although Bafana Bafana did not win their first match" said Prescilla from Roodepoort. "Anyway they did a great job, and this place was totally crazy after the goal of Tshabalala."

Sports & Recreation Minister welcome the world to the International Football Village

10 June 2010: The IFV was officially opened by the Minister of Sports & Recreation, Rev. Makhenkesi Stofile. "I can no longer feel it. I can now touch it. We thank all those who supported our bid to host this tournament," Stofile said at the IFV opening ceremony. "Our responsibility now is to show empathy, love and respect to the world. Nothing should be spared to ensure our visitors feel warm, inside and outside," he added. Stofile also urged South Africans to use today's sporting event as a means to forge unity among citizens as well as their fellows in Africa and the world. "It is time to come together with the world and mingle, ask each other questions and make lasting friendships. "Maybe some of you will end marrying a German or Brazilian person," he said, prompting laughter from the crowd. He said the event was an opportunity to fully integrate Africa into the world. "Feel free to debate and exchange ideas. You will surely discover how much we have in common." United Nations special adviser for the promotion of sport and peace Wilfred Lemke as well as the CEO of the IFV Mike de Vries also wished that the World Cup should be a great success.

BIG KICK landing at IFV 10 June 2010

10 June 2010: The Big Kick to Johannesburg is a Charity-Project which counts down towards the beginning of the World Cup 2010. It is about a 50 day non-stop Soccer-Dribbling-Run which started from Germany across Europe via the mediterranean sea to Africa. The finishing line will be at the International Football Village in Johannesburg on the 10th June. The Goal of the Project is to generate a donation for the building of a School in South Africa which will host up to 1,000 pupils. Big Kick is supported by several Celebrities from the fields of Sports, Politics, Media and Entertainment, so ex-football player Thomas Helmer will kick the ball 24hrs prior to the kick off for the World Cup 2010 over the finishing line.

► www.the-big-kick.de

IFV Fan Photo of the Week

23 May 2010: Your are a real soccer fan? Now there are this big soccer boots at the reception. Take this opportunity to make a fantastic picture. Every football Friday the most spectacular photo will be announced. So bring your camera, wear your Bafana Bafana shirt and have fun! Email your photo to laurab@birchwoodhotel.co.za before 3 pm on Fridays.