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	– Soccer Fans to Get Special Visa for Confederations Cup

Soccer fans wishing to attend the Confederations Cup in June 2009, have received positive news from South Africa’s Foreign Affairs department. A special “events visa” has been created for travelers who need to enter the country for the Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula announced that visiting soccer fans will be issued with special events visas as opposed to the standard visas. She added that this was the first time that such a ‘special events’ visa had been arranged, and the visas' special design and logo have already been approved.

In preparation for this prestigious event, the Home Affairs Department has organized 190 new recruits as immigration officers at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, where the majority of crowds are expected to arrive for the two football events.

Further abroad, additional immigration officers will also be deployed to some of the airports, and more Foreign Affairs personnel will be employed at overseas immigration offices to help issue visas.

Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said that the 2009 Confederations Cup in June will provide the department with a dry run, and assist them in analyzing their readiness ahead of the world cup. The department would be able to test their ability to handle capacity crowds who enter the airports. This will assist them in identifying any problems and would allow them enough time to rectify the situation ahead of 2010.

Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula commented that they were positive that South Africa, and her department, would be able to deliver for 2010.

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