Soccer World Cup 2010: All on track
With just seven months to go until the 2010 World Cup kicks off on 11 June, the prophets of doom, who were adamant that South Africa would never pull it off, are now eating their words. Everything is right on track, all stadiums will be completed by the end of this year. "Overall we are very impressed with the achievements made, this has been a very fruitful tour," said Ron DelMont, the Head of Fifa's South African office on 30 September, after the 2010 Local Organising Committee and Fifa completed an inspection of the stadiums to be used for the World Cup. The 50-strong delegation included operational experts in various fields.
Cape Town's Greenpoint Stadium is set for completion on 14 December, when it will be handed over to the city. By the middle of October the enormous retractable glass roof was fully installed, and a week later the first set of 360 lights, the 'ring of fire' on the upper rim of the stadium, was switched on for testing. All that remains to be done are the electro-nics of the stadium's 'inner heart' and some final touches. The outer coating, through which the light in the stadium will shine as a warm glow, is scheduled for completion by the end of this month. Temporary seating to raise capacity from 55 000 to 68 000 for the 'greatest show on earth' will be installed early next year. Three test events will be held before April.
The colossal stadium, which dwarfs all of its surroundings, will host eight World Cup matches, including one semi-final.
In Cape Town there are no signs of a nation in the grips of soccer fever yet, but officials at least are upbeat. Executive Mayor Dan Plato and Dr Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, recently signed the service level agreement for Cape Town to host the tournament's Final Draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 4 December, which is expected to be broadcast in over 130 countries and attended by some 2 000 guests and more than 1 000 media representatives. The Final Draw in the scenic Mother City will be a one-week event which Jordaan feels will capture the imagination of the football world.
"We can't wait to welcome all the visitors to our city. Cape Town is ready and prepared to provide unique experiences for visitors and the soccer fraternity alike," Executive Mayor Dan Plato said, adding that the World Cup came at an opportune time for the city and had already created job opportunities, especially in the infrastructure sector. "The impetus of expenditure and investment in infrastructure for 2010 could not have come at a better time to counteract the effects of the economic slump. Improved facilities, services and infrastructure will indirectly benefit all," Plato said.
One couldn't agree more. Apart from the stadium, which many still see as a white elephant, Capetonians probably have the World Cup to thank for infrastructure investments which have been overdue for years, the road network in particular. And finally, the central railway station, which over the years degraded into a place best to be avoided, is being restored to former glory and good purpose for R480 million. Finally, the Parade between the station and the Old Town Hall will once again become a useful public space for all - it will be the FIFA Fan Park, linked to the stadium by a Fan Walk of about 2 km through the city centre. And R640 million has been allocated for the deployment of 41 000 officers, 15 000 of them in the city, to ensure everyone's safety, plus an equal amount for equipment and services.
The City of Cape Town intends to continue the Green Goal environmental concept introduced by Germany for the 2006 World Cup. A code of responsible conduct for visitors and the tourism industry is being developed, emphasising aspects such as respect for the environment, sensitivity to cultural diversity and fair trade. An interactive Cape Town Green Map will be available.
Even the Department of Home Affairs, known as the most dysfunctional government service, has launched special event visas for soccer fans to use dedicated counters at major airports around the world for pre-clearance before they arrive in South Africa. South African immigration officials will be stationed at several of the busiest airports around the world.
City transport, however, will remain a problem. Cape Town is a city where public transport has largely been left to the mercy of market forces for at least 10 to 15 years. At the same time the city experienced tremendous influx, with numerous new housing developments mushrooming in the northern and southern suburbs. Yet there are just a few bus lines, served by air polluting fossils, and some of the commuter train lines are notoriously dangerous and served by equally ancient rolling stock. The famous mini-taxi has filled the gap, putting still more vehicles on Cape Town's chronically clogged roads.
The plan for moving the expected 120 000 World Cup visitors again hinges heavily on road transport: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is the magic formula's name, "a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective urban mobility through the provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and frequent operations, and excellence in marketing and customer service". Dedicated, median bus-ways will indeed reduce travel times dramatically, but there will be only three such BRT routes. More busses will be used in the city centre, and on shuttle routes to the airport.
Cape Town Tourism is trying to spread soccer cheer with its Live It! Love It! Louder! campaign, launched on 11 June this year. "Cape Town is an authentic place with so much beauty, contrast and texture, so much to love," says Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism. "For 2010, we are saying let's do all the things that we do in Cape Town but let's make more noise, have more fun and look brighter than ever for our warmest welcome. Louder isn't just noise. It's about confidence, self-expression and pride in the things that make Capetonians unique."
Bafana Bafana woesSouth African soccer fans don't have much of a team to be proud of. At the time of going to press national hopefuls Bafana Bafana were hovering in the doldrums at a miserable 85th in the world rankings and had just lost against Iceland and Madagascar, hardly soccer giants themselves. Bafana Bafana's top-earning Brazilian coach Joel Santana was sacked in late October after losing eight of his nine internationals. Rumours that his predecessor would be reinstalled were soon confirmed: the South African Football Association decided to bring back Carlos Parreira, 67, despite the fact that his team failed to win a single game at the African Nations Cup in 2008. News of Parreira's reappointment has not been greeted with enthusiasm. Many feel that his salary of R1.8 million per month is gross and that a local coach should be doing the job. Safa's excuse is continuity. A local coach would be appointed after the 2010 World Cup, Safa President Kirsten Nematandani promised. Small wonder that soccer mania doesn't seem to be catching on yet. Rugby, on the other hand, is the sort of exciting sport that most South Africans can easily identify with. Don the Makaraba! The ultimate 2010 soccer fan's headgear may well turn into the World Cup's greatest souvenir: the proudly South African makaraba is a must-have. The first makarabas, made from miners' helmets by rival soccer supporters, appeared almost 30 years ago. Now the Makoya Makaraba project in Cape Town provides work for previously unemployed men with a flair for art and creativity. It takes up to 16 hours to make a makaraba, and each of them is truly unique. They have already spread to other sports and were recently sported at the Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week. They also lend themselves for promoting a brand and they double up as a trophy. Get inspired at
www.makaraba.co.za!
by Christina Rockstroh
Cape Town's Greenpoint Stadium is set for completion on 14 December, when it will be handed over to the city. By the middle of October the enormous retractable glass roof was fully installed, and a week later the first set of 360 lights, the 'ring of fire' on the upper rim of the stadium, was switched on for testing. All that remains to be done are the electro-nics of the stadium's 'inner heart' and some final touches. The outer coating, through which the light in the stadium will shine as a warm glow, is scheduled for completion by the end of this month. Temporary seating to raise capacity from 55 000 to 68 000 for the 'greatest show on earth' will be installed early next year. Three test events will be held before April.
The colossal stadium, which dwarfs all of its surroundings, will host eight World Cup matches, including one semi-final.
In Cape Town there are no signs of a nation in the grips of soccer fever yet, but officials at least are upbeat. Executive Mayor Dan Plato and Dr Danny Jordaan, the Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, recently signed the service level agreement for Cape Town to host the tournament's Final Draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 4 December, which is expected to be broadcast in over 130 countries and attended by some 2 000 guests and more than 1 000 media representatives. The Final Draw in the scenic Mother City will be a one-week event which Jordaan feels will capture the imagination of the football world.
"We can't wait to welcome all the visitors to our city. Cape Town is ready and prepared to provide unique experiences for visitors and the soccer fraternity alike," Executive Mayor Dan Plato said, adding that the World Cup came at an opportune time for the city and had already created job opportunities, especially in the infrastructure sector. "The impetus of expenditure and investment in infrastructure for 2010 could not have come at a better time to counteract the effects of the economic slump. Improved facilities, services and infrastructure will indirectly benefit all," Plato said.
One couldn't agree more. Apart from the stadium, which many still see as a white elephant, Capetonians probably have the World Cup to thank for infrastructure investments which have been overdue for years, the road network in particular. And finally, the central railway station, which over the years degraded into a place best to be avoided, is being restored to former glory and good purpose for R480 million. Finally, the Parade between the station and the Old Town Hall will once again become a useful public space for all - it will be the FIFA Fan Park, linked to the stadium by a Fan Walk of about 2 km through the city centre. And R640 million has been allocated for the deployment of 41 000 officers, 15 000 of them in the city, to ensure everyone's safety, plus an equal amount for equipment and services.
The City of Cape Town intends to continue the Green Goal environmental concept introduced by Germany for the 2006 World Cup. A code of responsible conduct for visitors and the tourism industry is being developed, emphasising aspects such as respect for the environment, sensitivity to cultural diversity and fair trade. An interactive Cape Town Green Map will be available.
Even the Department of Home Affairs, known as the most dysfunctional government service, has launched special event visas for soccer fans to use dedicated counters at major airports around the world for pre-clearance before they arrive in South Africa. South African immigration officials will be stationed at several of the busiest airports around the world.
City transport, however, will remain a problem. Cape Town is a city where public transport has largely been left to the mercy of market forces for at least 10 to 15 years. At the same time the city experienced tremendous influx, with numerous new housing developments mushrooming in the northern and southern suburbs. Yet there are just a few bus lines, served by air polluting fossils, and some of the commuter train lines are notoriously dangerous and served by equally ancient rolling stock. The famous mini-taxi has filled the gap, putting still more vehicles on Cape Town's chronically clogged roads.
The plan for moving the expected 120 000 World Cup visitors again hinges heavily on road transport: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is the magic formula's name, "a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective urban mobility through the provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and frequent operations, and excellence in marketing and customer service". Dedicated, median bus-ways will indeed reduce travel times dramatically, but there will be only three such BRT routes. More busses will be used in the city centre, and on shuttle routes to the airport.
Cape Town Tourism is trying to spread soccer cheer with its Live It! Love It! Louder! campaign, launched on 11 June this year. "Cape Town is an authentic place with so much beauty, contrast and texture, so much to love," says Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism. "For 2010, we are saying let's do all the things that we do in Cape Town but let's make more noise, have more fun and look brighter than ever for our warmest welcome. Louder isn't just noise. It's about confidence, self-expression and pride in the things that make Capetonians unique."
Bafana Bafana woesSouth African soccer fans don't have much of a team to be proud of. At the time of going to press national hopefuls Bafana Bafana were hovering in the doldrums at a miserable 85th in the world rankings and had just lost against Iceland and Madagascar, hardly soccer giants themselves. Bafana Bafana's top-earning Brazilian coach Joel Santana was sacked in late October after losing eight of his nine internationals. Rumours that his predecessor would be reinstalled were soon confirmed: the South African Football Association decided to bring back Carlos Parreira, 67, despite the fact that his team failed to win a single game at the African Nations Cup in 2008. News of Parreira's reappointment has not been greeted with enthusiasm. Many feel that his salary of R1.8 million per month is gross and that a local coach should be doing the job. Safa's excuse is continuity. A local coach would be appointed after the 2010 World Cup, Safa President Kirsten Nematandani promised. Small wonder that soccer mania doesn't seem to be catching on yet. Rugby, on the other hand, is the sort of exciting sport that most South Africans can easily identify with. Don the Makaraba! The ultimate 2010 soccer fan's headgear may well turn into the World Cup's greatest souvenir: the proudly South African makaraba is a must-have. The first makarabas, made from miners' helmets by rival soccer supporters, appeared almost 30 years ago. Now the Makoya Makaraba project in Cape Town provides work for previously unemployed men with a flair for art and creativity. It takes up to 16 hours to make a makaraba, and each of them is truly unique. They have already spread to other sports and were recently sported at the Nokia Cape Town Fashion Week. They also lend themselves for promoting a brand and they double up as a trophy. Get inspired at
www.makaraba.co.za!
by Christina Rockstroh
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