Gauteng is ready to host the FIFA World Cup, which will kick off in June, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Friday at the start of a ‘100-days host cities' media road show.

"We have a duty to ensure that the 2010 World Cup is successful. Failure is not an option," she told journalists at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.

Mokonyane said that Gauteng has been working with the national government, host cities and municipalities since 2004 to prepare to host the biggest football spectacle in the world.

"We are certified with the work that we have done that Gauteng is ready to welcome the multitude of visitors expected to attend the World Cup. All match venues will be ready. Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld [ in Pretoria] are ready, while finishing touches, such paving and landscaping, are still being completed at Soccer City [in Soweto]."

She added that there were "clear plans" in place to deal with disaster management, emergency services, traffic management, security, hospitability and other related matters which would have an impact on the success of the FIFA World Cup.

"Our plans are being tested regularly and we are satisfied that Gauteng is ready to host the World Cup."

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