2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa
South Africa has hosted major international sporting events in the past, so I do not know why people write negative comments about the 2010 FIFA World Cup to come.
Since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, the country has fruitfully hosted major sporting events. For example…
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- the 1995 Rugby World Cup,
- the 1996 African cup of nations
- the 2003 Cricket World Cup,
- the Women’s World Cup of Golf in 2005 and 2006
- the only street race in the opening A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport in January 2006
The Football World Cup is the world’s largest, most exciting sporting event after the Olympic Games. In terms of television audience, it’s bigger than the Olympics. It is in a class of its own. For four weeks in 2010, South Africa will be the centre of the world. The 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan was the most covered and viewed event in television history. South Africa 2010, is sure to draw even bigger audiences. The eyes of billions of television viewers, an estimated three million international visitors, and the cream of the world’s sporting media will be focused on the southern tip of Africa.In order for South Africa to bring the World Cup to Africa for the first time ever in history, FIFA was looking at what the country already offers: world-class transport, telecommunications, tourism, sporting infrastructure, and people renowned for their hospitality and passion for the beautiful game. South Africa is a very divers’ country with eleven official languages and different cultures with their various delicious meals that will make you want more to take home.
In 2010, football admirers will enjoy the benefits of a host of multibillion-rand infrastructure projects recently announced by the government. (Currently, 1 rand = 0.129 US dollars.) South Africa will spend in the region of R5-billion on building and renovating 10 World Cup stadiums, R5.2-billion on upgrades to the country’s airports, and R3.5-billion on improvements to the country’s road and rail network.
South Africa is also preparing to make tight deadlines to ensure that the Gautrain, a high-speed rail link between Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Johannesburg International Airport, is up and running in time.
What a boost for South African economy!
According to consulting firm Grant Thornton, the World Cup will pump around R21.3-billion into South Africa’s economy, generating an estimated R12.7-billion in direct spending and creating an estimated 159,000 new jobs. The country’s tourism industry will benefit from the estimated three million visitors expected for the tournament, while construction and engineering companies will look to a slice of the billions to be spent on infrastructure in the lead-up to the event. Another good thing about this sporting event is that small business and ordinary people will benefit.
South Africa is alive with possibility, so get ready for this exciting event in history. The beat of drums, the blowing of vuvuzela horns in the fields, the singing, the dancing, and the beautiful people.
Related links:
FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa | AA Travel Guides
Soccer City | Mybroadband Forums
Photo source:
Soccer City | Boogertman and Partners, via World Architecture News
It is somehow disturbing that some fellow South Africans are not confident enough that South Africa is to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. just recently one is disturbed by what is happening in Alexandra Township.It is such things that discredit our hard earned successes and paint a negative picture about our beautiful counrty.
Most of our brothers and sister lack the vision of thinking big and innovating current challenges. they think for now and not the future.
We should congratulate the local organising committee and every stakeholder with their efforts in ensuring that Dark or Blue we are going to host the world cup.
Dumi i agree with you, we certainly have the capacity to host the wold cup as we have hosted other big events in the past.
Editor’s note: While the aim of this comment probably is to reduce aggression from a small number of South Africans against outsiders, the comment directs anger toward all South African people. It has been published here because it conveys the sincere feeling of the commenter and the subject is germane. However, it is the opinion of EcoWorldly that one should never antagonize or belittle an entire country, race, or people.
It is indeed a shame that as you approach 2010 your conduct confirms that despite your developed infrastructure and grandiose stadiums you have not earned the confidence and respect of others because of your disregard to human rights, your crimes against women and children your own for that matter!and now worst of all your recent attacks against non-South African Africans! How soon you forget how you received so much support and sacrifice from the same people who you now call names and kill! You forget that if we all in the rest of Africa boycott your goods and services and investment you are in the end the losers! Don’t think it cannot happen!People in other countries can be mobilised to boycott anything and everything South African then let us see how your Xenophobia benefits you! With all this you wonder why people are negative about you? Hosting big events in such a hostile atmosphere and environment is nothing really! It is the good will and camaraderie as well as solidarity with your African Brothers and sisters that will make you a people worth respecting!But unfortunately what you have now become are Black Boers! Shame on all of you!
Hallo eco wordly,
I just sent this eMial to your president, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki.
Most honorable President Mbeki,
I am a British Citizen. I was lucky enough to be born into an anti-apartheid family.
We were lucky enough to know Peter Hain and were active in his Anti-Apartheid Sports Boycott Campaign.
I was lucky enough to see Nelson Mandela on his first visit to the UK after his release in 1990.
I was lucky enough to visit Zimbabwe in 1990 and to share my optimism with the Zimbawians.
I was lucky enough to see the great musician Thomas Mapfumo live at the Queens Hotel in Harare, and luckier still to interview him there.
I am a lucky man. Zimbabwe has not been so lucky.
Please do your utmost to save human lives in Zimbabwe. Immediately.
Mugabe must be stopped. Immediately.
It would be a great SHAME if there had to be a Boycott Campaign of the Football World Cup because of your complicity.
It would, however, be UNFORGIVABLE if we didn’t do everything in our powers to avoid a bloody civil war waged by a mad man against his own people.
I trust in your integrity, solidarity and compassion.
yours sincerely,
Simon Sieverts
Germany
I think ppl should start beliveing in the boys that they can do it all they need is support and nt ppl telling them dat they are nt goog enough the qustion is are you good enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!
South Africa is more than the word ready to stage 2010 world cup.South Africans must stop worring.
why do we have to be negative about this.lets just support what the government did by bringing the world cup to us
as an South African, i am proud to live in a country with a great history background. therefore i believe that South Africa is capable of pulling off the greatest event of all time. during july the football will bring thousands of football fans to the doorstep of SA and will show what we have to offer…..live with possibility
Until the totally corrupt, 100% evil, very trashy ANC is removed from power, I will spread the truth of the ANC sanctioned and approved murders of 750,000 whites since 1994 world-wide. Only 900 blacks were killed during the entire time of apartheid. To expose, bankrupt, and destroy the demon possessed ANC will be a very pleasant undertaking for me. BOYCOTT WORLD CUP 2010!