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Violence, Crime and the 2010 World Cup
There was something a little ironic this week about the erstwhile doyen of the African National Congress, Winnie Maikizela Mandela, trumpeting her dismay at the wave of xenophobic violence that has, and continues to sweep through South Africa. Considering that her immortal contribution to the catalogue of English language quotes was …with our boxes of matches and our necklaces we shall liberate this country… it would seem that Winnie Mandela has little grounds to express any particular shock or outrage. She was, after all, one of the principal architects of that ghastly South African practice of necklaceing.
Prejudice & Awareness
Hypocrisy aside, the horrifying imagery that has been blazed across broadsheets and computer screens worldwide seems finally to have shocked a complacent South African administration into acknowledging that a disease is rampant within its society. If the 2010 World Cup is to be saved, time is perilously short, but it is not too late.
The 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament is a Holy Grail to Africans starved of respectability in a world that is weary of the age old blight of Africa. When the award was made by FIFA in 2004 there was an air of grudging symbolism that failed impress a good many observers. Included among them was soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer, who shook his head, and expressed his doubts in terms of logistical capacity, but probably had reasons far more visceral and difficult to define to explain his pessimism.
Date: May 30th, 2008 |
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2010 FIFA World Cup: Time to Start Planning
Between June 11 and July 11, 2010 South Africa will host the 19th FIFA World Cup, an international tournament for football. It would be the first time that the World Cup has been hosted by an African country.
The stadiums located in the following cities will host the events: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg (two), Kimberley, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Rustenburg.
Date: January 23rd, 2008 |
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Bok, Bokke, Bokkest
Rugby fever is building with huge anticipation for the World cup final on Saturday.
We have already beaten England 36-0 in the opening rounds, so the odds are stacked against the defending champions.
South Africa last won the Rugby world cup in 1995 after being excluded for many years due to politics. (apartheid in case you hadn’t heard). What transpired after we won was probably the biggest celebration in SA history next to the release of Nelson Mandela.
While it would be premature to count our eggs, we are all expecting a BIG party this weekend (when we win:))
If you are in South …
Date: October 16th, 2007 |
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2007 Rugby World Cup: South Africa VS Samoa, Amabokoboko!
South Africa kicked off the Rugby world cup yesterday with a splendiferous kicking of Samoa’s derrierre. (59-7)
Percy Montgomery and Brian Habana were the stars of the show, with Percy adding 2 tries and a total of 29 points and Habana’s ridiculous speed contributing 4 tries.
South Africa’s concern against playing the Samoans was trying to avoid injury from the leather necked Polynesians, this fear was realised as Jean de Villiers may have to sit out the rest of the tournament due to an arm injury.
Although the scoreline suggests a walkover the …
Date: September 10th, 2007 |
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Summers here, but where’s the wind?
The first weekend in December marks the beginning of Summer here, which usually means the arrival of the “Cape Doctor” or South Easter. The very reliable and persistent wind that blows most of the summer, clears away pollution and fills the sails of hundreds of kite surfers. But not today… We were forecast 40km winds, but given a measly 11. Perhaps tomorrow.
Cape Town and in particular the Tableview, Kite Beach and Blouberg (blue mountain) areas, are among the hottest spots on the international kiting circuit. A huge influx of international kite surfers and
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Date: December 2nd, 2006 |
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5 Reasons Why South Africa is Not Ready for World Cup 2010
The State of Disorganisation
There must have been from the onset a public relations hill to climb in the Fifa decision to award the 2010 soccer world cup tournament to an African country. Fair or not, Africa’s image abroad does not suggest the kind of economic muscle and logistical wherewithal necessary to stage an event of such international significance. This, however, is a prejudice, and does not take into account the fact that South Africa has a general transport and communications infrastructure that is by world standards impressive, and by African standards miraculous. However a recent report in the UK Guardian, suggesting that Fifa had put in place a £400 million slush fund against the high likelihood of a collapse of the 2010 World Cup, attracted just enough vitriolic denial from Fifa to suggest that it might be true.
British sports journalist Matt Scott, in an article in his Digger Column, reported that German insurance giant Munich Re was holding off on a decision to provide coverage for the event citing fears of inadequate progress, crime and insecurity, and an uncertain political climate. ‘The situation is quite difficult and fluid.’ Said a spokesman for Munich Re. ‘The problem is they need 10 stadiums and some of these are rugby grounds that are run down and in very bad condition.’
This, it would seem, is just the beginning, so how prepared is South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup?
Date: May 23rd, 2008 |
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It’s a win, win, win for the green and gold!
Wow, what a weekend!
On Sunday the street were a-hush as people regrouped themselves after Saturday night’s revelry.
South African’s all over the world are in a state of bliss and hopefully home sickness, watching our boks in green and gold scoop up not “just” the championship trophy, but player of the year and coach of the tournament also!
Bryan Habana’s 8 tournament tries is joint record with Jona Lomu. Dazzling the rugby world with his ridiculous speed.
The joy on the teams faces was a thing to behold and even Thabo Mbeki was smiling. There is …
Date: October 22nd, 2007 |
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Countdown to 2010: World cup 997 Days to kickoff :)
The 8 host cities around South Africa staged celebrations on Saturday to mark 1000 Days till the start of the 2010 World Cup.
The celebrations were part of the 2010 Local Organising Committee and the host cities’ plans to make the public aware of the magnitude of the soccer extravaganza which will be held on the African continent for the first time. The body wishes to give a small kick in the bum to businesses and entrepreneurs to get moving on projects taking advantage of 2010.
The 2010 World cup is a huge force for change …
Date: September 17th, 2007 |
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Durban A1 GP: Germany wins again.
South Africa’s only race on the GP circuit went of like a bang on Sunday at the Durban A1 GP.
The street circuit was said to be very challenging, so much so that 14 teams did not finish the race. The South African team driven by Adrian Zaugg crashed twice, once on the first lap then on the same turn on the eighth, putting him out the race. Germany stormed to an eight successive win and breaking records all over the place.
Apart from losing to Germany, the race was a great success for South Africa and puts us in the mood and the spotlight for more such events including of course 2010!!
People commented on the accessibility of the A1 series compared to its big brother F1 counterpart, with spectators allowed to view the cars in the pits and even take photo’s with drivers!
Date: February 26th, 2007 |
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2010 South Africa, World cup: Cape Town (not Bafana Bafana) may lose semifinal!
Seemingly not all Capetonians are keen on hosting the world cup semifinal, at least not in a revamped Greenpoint stadium. The “Greenpoint common association” seeks to block the reconfiguration of the commons area including a golf course and football clubs, with court action.
If it goes to court, the delayed start may well put us out of the running for a 2009 completion, which is the condition of the event organizers. No No No!
The stadium plan is a very ambitious one and will most definitely transform the whole area, which at present is quite higgledy-piggledy.
For the most
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Date: December 1st, 2006 |
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