Is S. Africa ready to host World Cup?

With just about 361 days left before the games kick off for the first time on the African continent, there are a lot of expectations and worries.

When South Africa was awarded the FIFA World Cup, naysayers started almost immediately saying that it would not be possible for an African country to host such a huge event.

"But slowly we have proven them wrong," said South African Ambassador Stefanus Schoeman.

He explained that officials from FIFA visit South Africa regularly inspecting the stadiums, infrastructure and security of the country "and they are satisfied with that."

As of now, four stadiums are ready to host the World Cup and the Confederations Cup that kicked off yesterday in Johannesburg.



"Soccer City is approximately 90 percent ready; that is where the opening ceremony and final game will be held," he said. "Then there`s another huge stadium in Cape Town which is about 80 percent ready and we still have a year to go."

That leaves four stadiums which are virtually completed, "only the finishing touches are left."

"So these stadiums will defiantly be ready ahead of schedule," he assured soccer fans.

Just as important are the countries` airports. Oliver Tambo Airport, or otherwise known as Johannesburg Airport, is finished with its alterations and can handle passengers from all over the world.

In addition, South Africa has airports in all the cities hosting the games.

"Before 1994, when we started the negotiation (to end apartheid) between the ANC and the government, people and prophets of doom predicted that it wouldn`t be possible. How can it be possible for a government to relinquish power and let a majority, if they win, rule?

"The world waited with abated breaths and they were so surprised," he said. "So the world will again be so surprised with this World Cup."

Last month, when CNN anchor Richard Quest asked Danny Jordaan, 2010 World Cup Organizing Committee CEO, to name one country that had benefited - particularly in the tourism sector - from having hosted a major sporting event, Jordaan declared: "South Africa."

South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the Cricket World Cup in 2003 and this year`s Indian Premier League. All these events raised the country`s profile and contributed to an increasing number of new visitors.

Travel representatives from around the world turned out in the thousands last month in Indaba for one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three "must visit" events of its kind on the global calendar.

They found that not only is South Africa ready for the World Cup, but that the country has lots more than soccer to offer visitors - with attractions from natural beauty to top-class amenities.

"In and around Cape Town, people can visit those wonderful vineyards and taste wonderful South African wines," said Schoeman.

But it does not stop there.

Visitors to the cities of Nelspruit, Pretoria and Johannesburg can go on a safari at the world-famous Kruger National Park.

To get from one city to another was also a big question mark, but that question has been answered with thousands of luxurious buses available for those wishing to take in the countryside instead of seeing it from an airplane.

There is also a train system linking Pretoria and Johannesburg with the airport and Sandton.

"We have a very good infrastructure when it comes to the highways," he said.

Visitors can also rent a car and take in the sites for themselves. The ambassador highly recommends driving on the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. "It is one of the most beautiful roads on the planet. So you can stop over for one day there and drive again."

The question of hotels was also answered. Tourism South Africa is working with local committees to make sure that hotels do not abuse visitors with high prices for rooms.

"So the prices for accommodations will be reasonable," he said but there is always the exception.

To reserve rooms the ambassador suggests visiting the official webpage at www.fifa.com/worldcup. Everything is available from luxurious accommodations to bed and breakfast inns and guest houses.

Security was also a hot topic of concern for the games.

Schoeman explained that there are over 41,000 security forces above the normal number of police and security officers trained and ready for everyone`s protection.

"We`ve hosted the Rugby World Cup, the Cricket World Cup; we`ve hosted huge events like the Sustainable Development Conference in Johannesburg where 40-plus heads of state attended," he pointed out. "It`s not like it`s our first time hosting a big event." There will be thousands of security personnel in the stadiums and in the fan parks.

"We just hosted the Ms. World competition. It was taken away from another country because that country couldn`t guarantee their safety so they moved it to South Africa. So it says something about our security."

The ambassador does suggest for people to follow the information about which areas to avoid. This information will be provided before visitors leave for South Africa, once they arrive and after they arrive.

"We are prepared for everything," he said.

(yoav@heraldm.com)



By Yoav Cerralbo