2010 soccer World Cup security in South Africa was part of the government and committee meetings briefings. The 2010 soccer stadiums will have state-of-the-art technology as part of a plan, which the police will use to monitor the safety of fans.
Many tourists and foreigners are apprehensive about traveling and visiting S.A due to our high crime rates.
Use the link above to view articles on 2010 and other relating topics.
2010: government and organising committee briefings
Media reacted positively to the government’s briefing, with a strong focus on safety and security, as in PN 13/12 “22 players on the field, 30 000 cops on watch” reports: “With 30 000 police attached solely to the 2010 World Cup, government told soccer fans across the world that their safety in South Africa during the event was guaranteed”. Quotes Minister Moleketi: “Preparatory work has already begun on five stadiums and construction work will begin in January next year. We have ample time to ensure that everything is in place by 2010”. Continues: “While the tournament would create lost of opportunities for South Africans, Moleketi said the government wanted to ensure that neighbouring countires also benefited from the event”. Also Sow 14/12 “2010 will be safe – police” reports: “The police planned to introduce state of the art technology”. And Cit 14/12 “Plans for 2010 in full swing” writes: “The government could not be more ready for the 2010 World Cup as far as infrastructure, safety and hospitality are concerned”. The financial media raised concerns, as in PN 13/12 “Treasury sets strict 2010 budget” reports “national treasury warned that it would cap the budget for stadiums and infrastructure…at R15.1 billion”. Continues: It appears likely that host cities would need to raise debt or increase municipal taxes [to raise the difference]. Adds: “But even before construction starts it already seems unlikely the budgeted sums will be enough”. And BD 14/12 “World Cup tender run on tight timeframe” comments: “The planned start of construction sets a tight timeframe for the conclusion of tender processes at the end of December”.
Coverage on the Organising Committee briefing focused on Irvan Khoza’s ‘warning’ to Cape Town, as in Star 14/12 “Cape Town may lose out as World Cup venue” reports on comments from Ivan Khoza: “Cape Town can ‘kiss the world cup goodbye’ – along with a R2 billion cash injection – if construction has not begun on the new stadium in Green Point come January”. Adds: “The city of Cape Town has reacted to Khoza’s warning with surprise, saying it was of the opinion it had until April to get its house in order”.
International media was largely positive, but also noted the various concerns that have been circulating, with Reuters 14/12 “South Africa dismisses 2010 World Cup concerns” reporting: “South Africa on Wednesday dismissed concerns it had fallen behind in 2010 World Cup preparations, saying it had made headway in modernising stadiums and making the streets safe for visitors”. Adds: “Jitters in the world soccer community about South Africa's successful 2010 bid have been fuelled by the country's creaky infrastructure, including its decrepit transportation system, as well as a high level of violent crime”. And Sydney Morning Herald; The Age; The Australian, 13/12, “South Africa dismisses 2010 World Cup concerns” carry Reuters content. Quote the Deputy Minister of Finance: “The preparation work has begun. Our eyes are on the ball and we are going to deliver... we are confident we are on time." Add: “Moleketi said the companies that would carry out the majority of the World Cup-related work would be announced before the end of the year and that major construction work on stadiums would begin throughout the country next February”. Continue: “South African police added on Wednesday that they planned to have 192,000 officers on the nation's streets by 2009 and that 30,000 of those would be assigned exclusively to protect athletes, soccer fans and other tourists during the World Cup”. Also Playfulls (Romania) 13/12 “South Africa pledges to ensure safety of World Cup visitors” quotes deputy finance minister: "We guarantee the safety and security of all the fans and teams that will be participating in the 2010 soccer event." While BBC Online 13/12 “World Cup 2010 draw in Durban” writes: “Cape Town has been warned that it would be deprived of a role in the 2010 World Cup if it delays the construction of a new stadium”.
2010: Comments by Fifa-related executives
Coverage of the FIFA briefing following its end of year meeting focused on Sepp
Blatter's comments to Danny Jordaan about the slowness of construction, as
opposed to his affirmation of confidence in South Africa. Cape Argus 7/12 “Get cracking, FIFA tells SA” reports: "Sepp Blatter has told South Africa to get cracking and speed up the pace of building stadiums for the 2010 World Cup". And News 24 7/12 Blatter slams 2010 ‘go-slow’ writes: "The slow progress in building stadiums for the 2010 World Cup…drew criticism from Sepp Blatter. SA has had construction delays and internal squabbles over its 10 stadiums, and Blatter has voiced his concern in the past".
In editorials, Star 8/12 "Use Blatter's spade" thinks: "Blatter spoke for all of us. Our message to the LOC is that we support you, but remember the saying: 'It’s not done till it’s done'". While Sun 8/12 "Slow blow from FIFA" writes: "Fifa have sent out some conflicting messages about the state of preparations for 2010…. [Blatter's] stinging comment probably reflects Fifa’s true opinion that South Africa is behind schedule and running out of time. But in public Fifa are all smiles, even if through clenched teeth".
International coverage showed the same focus, as in AP/Toronto Star 6/12 "Blatter
criticises slow progress on 2010 stadiums" quotes Blatter: "'We still have a few
shovels and few picks here that you can take home so that work really now
progresses so that the stadia will be built on time". Continues: "But Blatter quickly
added: 'Nevertheless, we express confidence in South Africa'". While Nigerian
Tribune 9/12 reports: "Nigerian official Amos Adamu…announced that it is the duty of CAF and every influential figure on the continent to help South Africa 'put a little more fire into the preparations', in the words of FIFA President Sepp Blatter". Quotes Adamu: "It is an African World Cup, not just a South African World Cup. We have a duty to mass behind South Africa".
2010: Safety and security
Security concerns related to the World Cup have resurfaced with the gang-rape of a French swimming team official attending the International Paralympic Committee's Swimming World Championship, and other incidents involving tourists in Durban. Citizen 11/12 "Tour operators threaten pullout over Durban rape" reports "International tour operators were threatening to ‘pull the plug’ on Durban following the gang rape of a French tourist". Adds: "The incident has angered some international tour operators so much that they threatened to put together a file of correspondence to give to the eThekwini municipality showing numerous tour operators stating their intention to remove Durban from their tours unless the problem of crime was attended to". And Pretoria News 12/13 "Rape of tourist sparks call for security zones" reports: "The hospitality industry has called for security zones around the beachfront and the International Convention Centre in Durban to combat attacks on tourists. Reports on a statement by Gerhard Patzer, Fedhasa: "insufficient policing around Durban’s tourism hotspots was the reason why international tourists would blacklist the city’s centre as a 'no-go' area".
2010: Socio-economic aspects
There has been some concern about the economic impact of the World Cup, but
this been limited to a few isolated articles, as in Pretoria News 7/12` "What will SA
do after the 2010 World Cup? Enthusiasm dies down amid fears that the R8.4bn
event could ruin the country" reports: "The 2010 Soccer World Cup is still four years away but South Africans are already worrying about the morning after, when all the tourists have left, and the size of the tab the country will have to pick up. Adds: "Host cities are for the first time beginning to question the advantage of what they once regarded as a privilege, fearing they will be left with white elephants one the crowds have left". Quotes Tony Twine of Econometrix consultancy group: “There is bound to be a hangover shortly after the final whistle blows. It’s more or less unavoidable. We are the smallest economy yet to host a modern Soccer World Cup tournament”. Also quotes Julie-May Ellingson of the Durban Municpality: "No trick has been missed in ensuring that the stadium is a truly multi-functional, hard-working and easy-to-maintain asset to the city”.
However, Business Day 13/12 “Under construction” comments on statement from Eskom on the upward pressure of capital investment projects because of shortages of steel and cement”. Relates this to the major capital investment by the state and private sector, also in the context of 2010. But thinks: “Business may have left it rather late to invest in the capacity expansion and skills required. But faced with the magnitude of opportunities ahead, they will no doubt find resources they need to take advantage”. And, Star 13/12 “Construction boom signals definite win for team SA” Webber Marais, CEO of Top Fix, writes: “prospective spin offs from the R400 billion spend [state capital expenditure including on 2010 World Cup] are not confined to entities directly involved in building and construction. Equally blessed are the industries that service building and construction”. Adds: “If there was any realistic possibility South Africa could fail, building and construction shares would have behaved very differently”. Also Star 13/12 “Record steel sales shape the future” reports: “South Africa is set for record annual local carbon steel consumption of up to R5,7 million tons this year, beating the previous best level of R5.26 million tons in 1981”. Adds that some manufacturers have been caught off guard by the increase in consumption”.
2010: Stadiums
There has been some coverage of progress with regard to stadiums in various host cities.
Cape Town
In this regard, the objections and possible delays to the Green point stadium have been evident. Citizen 12/6 “Green Point residents resist soccer stadium on common” quotes David Polovin, Green Point Common Association: “We don’t want the common to be covered in concrete…. There’s no soccer interest in Cape Town as compared with Joburg; why build a stadium this big?” Also quotes Lynette Johns, Office of Western Cape MEC for Tourism and Development:
"The MEC (Tasneem Essop) is considering the objections, and she
cannot say when she is likely to make a final decision, but it will be soon". While
Cape Times 12/6 “Green Point set to score in 2010” quotes Mike Marsden of the
City of Cape Town: "Nothing like this amount of money to upgrade would take place in Green Point without the World Cup, so it is puzzling that these people are opposing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". And Cape Times 7/12 "Green Point 'or nothing for 2010" reports "It's Green Point Common for the stadium or Cape Town will lose 2010, the city council has warned". Quotes Cape Town Mayor, Helen Zille: "The provincial and national governments have said we must host a semi-final or we lose 2010. This is the choice we face as council". Further Citizen 7/12 "Rezoning of Green Point site gets nod" reports "The city council unanimously approved the rezoning of the Green Point Common to allow the building of the planned 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium". Adds: "the city is still negotiating with the Green Point Common Association in a bid to find a compromise that could avoid lengthy litigation that could delay the start of the work on the site".
Mbombela
There was coverage of the sod-turning ceremony at the Mbombela stadium site, with SABC 11/12 "Construction of 2010 Mbombela Stadium underway" reports: Sepp Blatter's...call has been answered, soon earthworks will begin at the site for the R920 million sports facility". Adds: "But it is not expected to be a smooth ride. A shortage of cement and other building material could slow the process, but the people of Mpumalanga will strive to deliver on their 2010 promise". Also Sun 12/12 “Mbombela gets the ball rolling” writes:"The Mbombela municipality has heeded the call to kick-start the construction of stadiums". Quotes Danny Jordaan: "The turning of the sod is proof that things are starting to happen. I will take a spade and sod turned from the event to Zurich to show Blatter". And Sowetan 13/12 “Let the real work begin” thinks: “There is no reason to entertain any doubts now that the work…for the venue is underway”.
While Sun 13/12 “Work starts in new stadium” comments: “The R40000-seater stadium is costing the tax payer R920 million – the equivalent of 25000 RDP houses. Quotes Desmond Golding, Mpumalang’s director for the 2010 World Cup: “It does sound like a lot of money, but the stadium will be a massive boost for our tourism industry and will create thousands of long-term jobs for local residents”.
However, Mail & Guardian 8/12 "World Cup 1 Wetland 0" reports: "A wetland has been bulldozed in Nelspruit as part of plans to construct a new stadium for the 2010 soccer world Cup. The wetland was not bulldozed to make way for the Mbombela stadium itself but for a school that will have to be temporarily relocated. No environmental impact assessment was done before the bulldozers moved into the wetland".
Johannesburg
For Johannesburg, Star 12/12 "Deal paves way for building to start on Soccer
City" reports "The City of Johannesburg has taken ownership of Soccer City paving
the way for the Rl,5-billion upgrade of the stadium". Quotes Soccer City General
Manager Dennis Mumble “The issue has been resolved, and although it is premature to make a full formal announcement, the ownership of the stadium has been transferred to the state, so it becomes public property now".
