A newly confident South Africa is polishing up for the global spotlight during the World Cup draw in two weeks, eager to show it’s ready for the games that on Sunday will be 200 days away.
Many of the doubts that once confronted the nation have long since quieted, dispelled by the successful hosting of the warm-up Confederations Cup in June.
Gleaming new stadiums have stilled fears of construction delays, with debate already turning on how the nation’s new landmarks will be used after the tournament.
Cape Town, which is hosting the draw, unveiled its new airport terminal this month. Johannesburg’s main airport, the main gateway for an expected 450,000 World Cup fans, has also received a major facelift that smoothed out the customs and immigration process.
Of the 3.1 million World Cup tickets available, nearly 700,000 have already been sold before the draw — roughly half of them to South Africans.
“Everything is ready to go, and we are very excited,” said Rich Mkhondo, spokesman for the organisers.
But questions remain on security in a nation that suffers 50 killings a day, and on logistics for shuttling fans to smaller venues that simply don’t have enough hotels.
South Africa has taken pains to ease visitors’ fears over the alarming crime rate, pointing out that major events in the past like the rugby World Cup and the Confederations Cup have gone off without serious incident.
“There’s clearly a distinction to be made between societal crime in the country and event safety and security,” chief organiser Danny Jordaan told parliament last week.
Police plan to deploy 41,000 officers for the World Cup, and have received training in crowd control from French gendarmes. Intelligence services and even the military are providing back-up if needed.
Johannesburg’s airport, notorious for pilfered luggage, says it has cracked down on baggage handlers and cut the number of thefts from 30 a day to 18.
“Our 2010 target is reduction down to eight bags a day,” of the 25,000 handled each day, Bongani Maseko, operations manager for the Airports Company of South Africa, told parliament.
Justice minister Jeff Radebe has announced that 54 courts across the country will be dedicated only to crimes committed in connection with the tournament, to move cases quickly through the judicial system.
Security around the venues will undoubtedly be tight. The worry is that visitors exploring the country will fall victim to the crimes that South Africans face every day.
Typical of those fears, the rollout of Johannesburg’s modern new bus line — a key component of the city’s World Cup transport line — was shaken by a shooting that injured two people, including a policeman.
No one has been arrested, but the shooting was seen as possible retribution from the city’s mafia-like mini-bus taxi drivers who fear the competition from the sleek new fleet.
Government says it’s bringing the mini-buses on board with the new system, which is slowly being phased in around the country where anyone with the money to own a car drives, and everyone else wants to.
The new Gautrain rail line connecting Johannesburg’s airport to the city will only begin running three months after the World Cup, developers announced this month.
In smaller cities like Bloemfontein and Nelspruit, which don’t have enough hotel rooms for all the fans expected to attend the games, Mkhondo said airlines are considering special shuttle flights for the matches.
“In places like Bloemfontein, where the airport is small and there are not many airlines going there, there’s going to be special arrangement for people to fly out directly after the game,” he said.
MM
Guest
Rob - you have a point. There are adequate and pleasant flights at highly competitive rates. Best of all - whereas in many countries road travel isn't considered unfortunately - it is a way of life it seems to me in South Africa - the beauty and making a holiday out of the travel alone is memorable. So many different, diverse stop-overs - few places where there isn't some interest or attraction. When I'm there I try to avoid flying because going by road is as said, a holiday of it's own. But it depends on personal preferences. There is no need to justify on your comment about seeing the townships - I've witnessed worse in other countries who are the first to deny same. If your outlook is that prejudiced - a great pity for you. Otherwise, If you're also going out there for the big games - hope you enjoy it which-ever way.
David
Guest
Bring Guus back! no disrepect to pim but Australia has been struggling and Guus is a much better coach!
Rob
Guest
"As for the infrastructure – do your homework. One cannot compare it with the USA for example, yet it lacks nothing the USA (for e.g.) has by and large." accept for maybe little things like buses and trains.....Its basically impossible to travel around most of SA without a car As for "envying the quality of life".....well I guess you couldnt see the townships from your hotel bar.
Marcel
Guest
The stadia look really inpressive....lets hope our bid committee gets the picture and understands that giving a few old cricket grounds a lick of paint wont do the job
MM
Guest
AFP have submitted an article frankly not worth the paper or bytes on pc is has occupied. Abstaining from being pedantic and commenting on each point - the following:- Who-ever works of stats as a reliable source of data analysis re: the issues covered in today's terms needs a re-induction to stats which are not fully collective, thus do not adequately represent the truth. The article is entirely misplaced to the title. Just as many countries ask selected persons like myself for the truth and more realistic articles regarding sport which is not well publicized - to be more to the point - SANITISED.... yes indeed - so do celebs from all walks choose South Africa as their preferred holiday destinations - and the list can go on. Further, before quoting the killings / murders or how-ever you would like to percieve same - have you checked the crime in Washington, Sydney etc adequately? Normally media thrive on some sensationalism, this article looks like it was a "have-to-do-job" on a 24/24 fullout day - i.e. anything will do. Yes there is crime - so there is to different yet no less frightening intensities elsewhere in the world. Don't downsize the capability and size of cities - why? I was personally mortified at "the largest super-store" in a few first world countries being only on average with medium-sized towns in South Africa - yes - it's not fiction but fact. Equally, just as the article dismisses the infrastructure - so comparatives were witnessed in other first world countries where people concluded via the media only that these were similar to a small mining village. Rather pathetic. And definitely not what I have witnessed in South Africa where there is a world in one country - it's in the eye and mind of the beholder...? Or is it? Very much so. Fact. As for the infrastructure - do your homework. One cannot compare it with the USA for example, yet it lacks nothing the USA (for e.g.) has by and large. I envy the quality of life, freedom and dynamic spirit contained in South Africa and have no doubts about it being my favourite country for tours as well as the months I have stayed there meaning that by actually living there, it's not an illusionary dream merely resulting from a vacation, but total reality. There are negatives - however the article is not balanced at all. A pity it was incorporated in DAILY ROAR.
Art Sapphire
Guest
By this time tomorrow we will know the names of all 32 nations that will be competing in the 2010 World Cup. There are 6 spots that need to be filled. Here are my predictions as to what will happen in the qualifying games tomorrow. Egypt 1 - Algeria 1 This extraordinary one off game played in Khartoum, Sudan will I go down to penalties. The Pharoahs to win this one 5 - 4 in the shootout. In the other games - France 2 - Ireland 0 ( 3 - 0 Aggregate) France to qualify Ukraine 1 - Greece 1 ( 1 - 1 Aggregate) Greece to qualify on the away goals rule Slovenia 1 - Russia 1 (2 - 3 aggregate) Russia to qualify Bosnia 2 - Portugal 1 (2 - 2 Aggregate) Portugal to qualify on the away goals Uruguay 2 - Costa Rica 1 (3 - 1 Aggregate) Uruguay to qualify Its going to be pretty tense tomorrow morning.
Robbos
Guest
The excitment builds. I cannot wait for December 4th.