R2-m BOOST FOR WORLD GLIDING CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATIONS
October 5, 2001

The Northwest Province Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works is investing in R2-million to renovate and prepare the Mafikeng International Airport for the World Gliding Championships which take place there in December. The Championships have been a vital catalyst in the project to revitalize the airport. The investment in the airports infrastructure is expected to pay dividends to the Province.

The championships, being held on the African continent for the first time, have attracted some 70 entries from around the world. More than 1 500 international visitors will descend on Mafikeng for the championships from December 17 to 31. OSTIV, the technical committee of the international gliding movement will hold their bi-annual conference just prior to the start of the championships.

An agreement was signed between the Northwest Department of Transport and the WGC management which will see the old airforce base renovated to accommodate international visitors and their gliders with a long-term view of using the facility for aviation training. Work is already at an advanced stage.

According to the airport management special security measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of the visiting pilots and team members. With more than 22 countries participating, the security of visitors is a major priority according to the airport management. A disaster management plan that covers all eventualities has been put in place.

Mafikeng co-ordinator for the WGC, Petro Naude, says the event will change the 'landscape' of Mafikeng by boosting the local economy by more than R10-million and putting the area on the map as far as the international gliding community is concerned.

"A spectacular airshow is planned for December 17. It will be opened with a procession of competitors and a medallion parade of Group 20 of the National Defence Force. Children from local schools will lead each team carrying their flag and name board, very much in the style of the Olympics," she says.

The airshow under the directorship of Brian Zeederberg will feature South Africa's top airshow commentator, Brian Emmenis. The three-hour display will be packed with displays from warbirds such as the Spitfire, Sea Fury and Yak, as well as aerobatics, helicopters, a car and plane race and dozens of exciting features.

The exhibition village will include a display by the South African Airforce's Siyandiza Project that promotes aviation careers among the youth. Chairman of the WGC committee, Dick Bradley says that a special programme for encouraging youth into the aviation industry will be launched under the auspices of the WGC. Some 140 disadvantaged youngsters with science and maths talents will be given a full week's course that will give them an unforgettable aviation experience as well as an insight into the careers offered by the industry.