The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa showed its appreciation for South African women with a lunch to commemorate Women's Month today.

The lunch which was hosted at Safa House, the home of the preparations for next year's World Cup, was attended by Organising Committee CEO Dr Danny Jordaan, FIFA consultant to the 2010 World Cup Horst Schmidt, the Minister for Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Ms Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya and Organising Committee COO Mrs Nomfanelo Magwentshu.

They were joined by women from the media and female staff members from the Organising Committee and FIFA.

August is Women's Month in South Africa and it celebrates the role women are playing in developing South Africa's democracy.

Magwenthshu welcomed guests to the lunch saying it was an opportunity not only to celebrate women but also to "tell the South African public and the broader global audience, of our progress, our readiness and our commitment to making sure that we deliver an incredible African experience at next year's World Cup. We are here to celebrate our involvement in this process."

"At the end of the day, next year's FIFA World Cup is about men playing football. But it could not happen without us women, here at the OC, working in the host cities, in government and, importantly, in the media, who are critical to making it all possible," she added.

Dr Jordaan echoed her sentiments saying that the fact that the World Cup in South Africa next year would be played by men did not have to dictate the numbers of women who were involved in the organisation.

"Whereas in the past women's roles at these tournaments have been limited to soft skills in protocol and hospitality, today women in the Organising Committee occupy management positions in all areas including finance, legal marketing, transport and procurement. Of the 196 staff members working at the Organising Committee, 73 are women with 37% in senior or management roles."

He also said the Organising Committee helped to develop the skills of its female employees. "We are happy not just because we fill posts with women but because we have created opportunities for women to grow. " Dr Jordaan added that the World Cup was in safe hands and will be successful.
The minister welcomed the Organising Committee lunch saying it showed the progress that had been made in mainstreaming the issues of women.

"Football has largely been dominated by men. It is very encouraging that more and more women are participating in various aspects of this sport. Women have a right to participate in sport in their own right as women."

Schmidt , who was a surprise guest at the event, spoke about the FIFA 2011 Women's World Cup which is being organised in Germany saying it was an opportunity to get more women involved in football.

"It was (FIFA President) Dr Joseph S. Blatter who said: The future of football is female," Schmidt said.