The 2010 FIFA World Cup is expected to inject R55-billion into the domestic economy, according to the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

The deputy minister said the Grant Thornton auditing firm, who conducted the original economic impact assessment for South Africa hosting the World Cup, had found that the event would also create an estimated 415 000 new jobs.

"Moreover, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be boosted by R33-billion in direct spending on stadiums and infrastructure, while soccer fanatics will spend some R8-billion and tickets sales will generate R6-billion," she said.

Reported by BuaNews