The FIFA 2010 World Cup – A Red Card for South Africa?

Watching some of the World Cup in Germany on TV makes us realize what a huge event it is. It also brings home with a jolt the organization and infrastructure that lies behind the obvious and the planning that went into it.

No wonder we are hearing more and more comment that South Africa will not be up to the task for the 2010 event.

The latest news is a report that FIFA is putting a contingency plan in place to move the championship to Australia – a country that already has the facilities and transport systems.

Of course Danny Jordaan – the CEO of the local organising committee – has simply dismissed the matter by saying he’s ‘not interested in these stories’

The reasons cited for a possible move to Australia are firstly our disgusting crime rate - our murder and rape figures are the worst in the world. Most families in South Africa have one or two members who have been mugged, shot at, their home broken into, car windows broken at traffic lights for the odd bit of smash and grab or even hijacking. Our police force can’t cope and the more affluent suburbs employ private security firms to patrol their streets and respond to crime incidents. The less well-off resort to kangaroo courts and execution of alleged criminals by stoning or whatever else they can lay their hands on.

The next reason given is our non-existent public transport system. The trains are decrepit, dirty and dangerous from a crime aspect. Bus services run on African time and sticking to the exact route is often the driver’s prerogative as is stopping to pick up passengers. Even Jeremy Cronin, ANC Member and Chairman of the Parliamentary Transport Portfolio Committee, said that ‘we have a substantial crisis around transport mobility and accessibility’. At present you cannot get around a South African city on public transport.

Another area of concern is the lack of good hotel accommodation. The tourist industry is only provided for in Capetown. Durban was once the holiday capital of the country but patterns have shifted because – you’ve guessed it – the beachfront area is too dangerous because of crime. So the hotels have deteriorated and most visitors make use of private ‘Bed & Breakfast’ establishments in the suburbs and accessible only if you have a car because…….that’s right….there is no public transport!

Then lastly there is the provision of the stadiums for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In the last fortnight Durban has eventually announced the Professional Team for the design and construction of our purpose-made stadium. Other venues are in a similar embryonic stage but with only three and a half years to completion it will be a very close call.

Keep that contingency plan close at hand FIFA!