Kaizer Chiefs as South Africa’s biggest sporting brands has its roots in Soweto, Johannesburg and it was fitting to be part of the occasion where Executive Mayor, Mpho Parks Tau outlined the plans to develop Joburg into a world class city by 2040.

The City of Johannesburg developed its first Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) in 2006 – an articulation of Johannesburg’s future development path.

Executive Mayor, Parks Tau scored a penalty against goalkeeper, Arthur Bartman who had represented the Club together with Media Relations Officer, Luthando ‘Trompies’ Zibeko.

The Mayor approached a pre placed soccer ball and goal net. He then kicked the ball into the net, signifying the JOBURG 2040 timeline kick off.

Simultaneous to the kick off, a pyrotechnic display of the numbers 2040 which were erected behind the goalpost were fired along with a series of pyrotechnics attached to the goalpost structure.

Bartman speaking to kaizerchiefs.com expressed his delight for attending the event; “It is unbelievable how the City has grown over the years.

I do recall coming to Joburg back in the early 90s and later when I joined the Club back in 1999 for my first stint.

“Today for instance the transport system has improved tremendously; Gautrain, Rea Vea.

If you drive around Soweto you will see a lot of effort has been put to make the township what it is today. Joburg last year hosted both the opening and the closing of the FIFA World Cup with great success.

It is quite humbling that as the biggest Club in the City we are here to witness the plans to make Johannesburg one of the leading cities in the world. I have no doubt that the future of the City is even brighter and for us as the Club we will continue flying the Joburg flag higher leading to 2040.