Afcon to cost SA R400m

Johannesburg - Hosting the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is projected to cost South Africa R400 million, according to Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe.

However, the costs of the event will be finalised next month after a meeting with the National Treasury.

"The broader terms are still to be finalised with Treasury," Mbebe told reporters in Johannesburg on Friday.

"We have projected a budget, obviously, with the opening and closing ceremony being the big (events)."

A clearer idea of costs would emerge at the end of June.

The LOC still has to hold talks with continental soccer body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the sponsors, to clear certain rights. The plan is to bring local private sponsors on board to help reduce government's costs.

"There are areas we are still in discussions with (CAF) where we'll concentrate on areas that can reduce the budget," Mbebe said.

"Also for instance, CAF has their telecommunication partners and they have allowed us to negotiate directly with them to create space to utilise a local company."

Apart from the ceremonies earmarked for FNB Stadium, the country's biggest sporting venue will stage a double header to open the tournament in January. There will be 1.2 million tickets available for the duration of the soccer showpiece across the five hosting cities.

The success of next year's tournament will be measured by the number of spectators attending the 44 matches, particularly those not involving hosts Bafana Bafana. The LOC said 25 percent of the ticket revenue would go the five cities.

"Soccer City (FNB Stadium) will be full for the two games we will have there," Mbebe said.

"Sure, the total number of tickets is substantial, but we will get close to that number. The ticket structure and price will be affordable because we'll take into consideration the festive break and parents sending kids back to school. We have been allowed accommodation, airline, car rental, and transport activities. We have also been allowed to look at things like logistics and freight."

The LOC was finalising the tendering process for the ceremonies, merchandising, hospitality, and ticketing, with advertisements going out from next Sunday.

The committee would visit the five cities - Port Elizabeth, Durban, Nelspruit, Rustenburg, and Johannesburg - within the next two weeks.