Johannesburg - Joseph Blatter, president of the world football
body FIFA, was on Monday due to visit the Cape Town stadium as part of
his visit to 2010 football World Cup hosts South Africa.

Blatter and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke were also set to
meet with Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille, premier of Western Cape province
Lynne Brown and the nation's former president Frederick de Klerk.

The football boss is in South Africa for a four-day visit to
inspect progress on stadiums and to take the political temperature
ahead of next year's general elections.

Tensions are running high between the leadership of the ruling
African National Congress led by Jacob Zuma and the government led by
President Thabo Mbeki. Zuma's supporters are calling for him to take
over as president before the elections slated for April.

On Sunday, Blatter sought to ease concerns about South Africa's
ability to host a successful World Cup, saying after a meeting with
Mbeki in Pretoria that organizers had his "100-per-cent" confidence.

Addressing the sceptics, Blatter said: "They have to admit the stadia will be ready, people will be well received and so on."

What was needed, instead, was a little more enthusiasm in South
Africa, he said: "For the whole country to say ... yes, let's go, let's
do it."

During his visit, Blatter will also meet with Zuma and former
president Nelson Mandela, who was instrumental in getting the
tournament to South Africa - the first African country to host it. (dpa)