Cape Town Stadium completed

Cape Town - Amid a swirl of balloons and popping champagne corks, Cape Town mayor Dan Plato received the key to the city's R4.5bn stadium on Monday afternoon.

Plato told the crowd that assembled in the stadium that it would become a world landmark.

"Looking around, what a wonderful piece of artwork," Plato said.

"Cape Town stadium will become one of the world's sporting landmarks."

The stadium, built in the suburb of Green Point, took 32 months to complete. It was the biggest project of its kind ever undertaken in Cape Town.

About 2 500 workers had been employed and 1 200 artisans received training from contractors during the construction.

The stadium would seat 68 000 people.

After the world cup it would be managed by French company Stade de France and used for rugby and soccer matches, concerts and religious gatherings.

Plato said it was a "stadium for all Capetonians".

"The stadium is ready for the world," he said.

Other stadiums already completed include Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Moses Mabhida in Durban and Soccer City in Johannesburg.