It's not often that a politician uses the word "consciousness" these days. The black consciousness typified by the great Steve Biko still has resonance for South Africans, but for Jabu Moleketi it's "mass consciousness" that will be crucial over the next four years as the country prepares to host the 2010 soccer World Cup.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter turned up the heat on South Africa recently when he said of the country's 2010 World Cup organisers that "they have plans, money and decisions, (but) I have yet to see the pickaxes and spades needed to start the work".
Moleketi, the country's deputy finance minister and chairperson of government's 2010 technical committee, knows the pressures will be immense.
Refreshingly for a politician, however, he encourages public scrutiny and wants the South African public to keep up the pressure on the country's World Cup organisers.
"For our 10 2010 venues, we have serious time limits... The graders and earthworks must begin (construction) by January 2007, otherwise we're in serious trouble. We need the 45 to 46 million South Africans and the media watching the timelines and putting on the pressure," Moleketi said in a recent interview.
For South Africa, successfully staging what will be by far the country's biggest undertaking is non-negotiable and Moleketi feels every South African has a role to play in ensuring the event's success.
"We need to create mass consciousness towards our hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup. We need barometers in the newspapers in terms of our readiness, so that each and every South African is conscious of that. We now know all the host cities and it will be important for citizens to be asking their mayors and their councillors at every meeting: 'What's happening and what are we doing about getting ourselves ready for the World Cup?' It ought to be every citizen's duty," said Moleketi.
In his 2006 budget speech, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel promised an R8,5-billion capital expenditure plan designed to ensure the country is ready for the world's football fans in four years' time.
R5-billion has been allocated for building and renovating the 10 World Cup stadiums, with R3-billion of that amount to be spent in the course of the next three years.
Moleketi, however, said the amount initially indicated is "not sufficient".
"(Next month's) medium-term expenditure framework is going to cover a period up until March 31, 2010, and all the major expenditure will happen in that period. There will be much, much more allocated. That begins to tell us that more detailed work has happened and we have a clearer understanding of the costs of the stadiums," Moleketi explained.
If one takes into account, for example, that the Cape Town municipality estimates that its Green Point stadium's construction costs alone will be R3,3-billion - and that the city is able to contribute just R400-million - it's clear the government will need to cough up more money.
Moleketi says the onus is on the municipalities to have the stadiums ready, but with such massive amounts of public money being spent, national treasury has a dedicated 2010 unit "to keep its eyes on the ball, monitor the movement of the money and to see whether we're getting value for money".
As things stand, the local councils have been in discussion with the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee's technical team to come up with the final figures for stadium costs.
Once that process is completed, national treasury will release the funds to ensure the construction phase begins.
And given Blatter's not-too-gentle urging, that's a phase that can't start soon enough.
In addition to the stadium construction, there's also the transport and infrastructure development that are pressing issues.
"Beginning to invest in Metrorail is quite important... The taxi recapitalisation process is also important. We need safer, bigger taxis and a smooth, integrated transport system. Touch wood, someone is telling me that the Gautrain will be ready... We need to be a bit innovative. We need to relook at our route transport system and road network, and look at increasing the lanes of roads so there are dedicated lanes during World Cup periods," said Moleketi.
He added that the accommodation industry has indicated to the event's organisers that there will be enough capacity to cater for visiting World Cup teams and fans, although again, there will be the opportunity to be "innovative".
"Most soccer fans are not necessarily looking at five-star accommodation... The bulk of our supporters will come from Africa, coming from Nigeria and Morocco and from our neighbouring countries in buses.
"We might need to look to our institutions and use the residences of universities to generate revenue for the likes of Johannesburg University and Wits. The other possibility is for private citizens to make a bit of money by renting out property," said Moleketi.
He hoped the 2010 World Cup will also provide the country with the chance to rid itself of the "tinge of xenophobia".
"What is not known is how many Africans will arrive here for the World Cup. We're underestimating that and we must create an environment for them to come 'home'... We need people to accept Africans as visitors and be great hosts. Our ports of entry must be hassle-free for them to come in their buses... We must prepare our people to be open. The Germans are known to be cold people, but they were so vibrant and friendly during the 2006 World Cup," Moleketi pointed out.
He also said that the event will give South Africa the chance to dispel the view of "Afro-pessimism".
"When people talk of Africa they talk of disease, hunger, wars - strife generally. That's the world's African image," said Moleketi, adding that "2010 will give us an opportunity to say there's this other Africa which can hold the biggest sporting competition in the world efficiently and like any other European country. We have an opportunity to change the attitude towards Africa and show what Africans can do. Let's rise up and take the opportunity to show the world what we're capable of."