2010 World Cup Tab: $1.9B

No comments here?

About 10 days ago I predicted the WC 2010 would cost 3 billion. In 10 days South Africa got $400 million closer to what I predicted and that was without a shovel being lifted. I may be a billion or two too low in my estimate. Maybe South Africa will finally realize this will cost them too much and ask Australia to take over WC 2010. Are you Socceroos ready?

Dumb comment. Why would it cost them too much? From what I can see and from the first hand knowledge I have of the country, they have the money. Unless you head the SA Treasury, I dont think you can make such comments.

You know people like Claud are the naive kind that have never even set foot out of where they are, and yet think they know everything about a country like South Africa. Is it because it is Africa, and that Africans can’t host a one month event? W

I really don’t appreciate the comments made by the two of you (Jean and Kahuru). Everybody re-evaluates their priorities. It doesn’t matter if you are a superpower, a third world country, a Fortune 500 firm or Ma and Pa Kettle. Re-evaluating your priorities doesn’t make you dumb or naive. People who don’t understand that principle are the ones who are dumb and/or naive. Why can’t South Africa decide that they might be better off spending $1.9 billion on building up it’s industrial base that will provide year round jobs long after WC 2010 is in the history books? Perhaps providing a great education system might be what South Africa will decide on. I have no idea. Perhaps they will stick with spending billions on stadiums which will be mostly empty after about July 10, 2010. I just hope that we can have a discussion without name calling. You guys are entitled to your opinion and I am to mine.
You also have to keep in mind that this year’s host, Germany, is located in the heart of Europe. Germany and it’s neighbors have a large and very affluent middle class. South Africa and it’s neighbors don’t have that affluent middle class base. South Africa is also at the tip of Africa. Tour packages for WC 2010 will probably be too pricey and reduce the attendance from Europe and the USA. Therefore, I doubt that WC 2010 will give South Africa that great of an economic benefit. You add on top of that the South African crime stats and that will keep some other people at home in front of their TV. Germany, Korea/Japan, France, USA, Italy which hosted the last 5 world cups didn’t have to deal with stories about crime rates in their countries. The only thing mentioned was hooliganism and the European police forces let it be known that known trouble makers would not be allowed to travel to the world cup.
Jean since you don’t head the South African treasury either you can’t say I am wrong. By the way Kahuru I have been outside my front door. I have been to W. Europe and lived there over 11 years and am fluent in 2 languages. I also graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from a university in the USA. Q.E.D.

Claude, I suggest you visit the South African National Treasury website and read the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, that is posted on the site. And there was no name calling….

Just tell me something Claud, what really makes you such an expert on the African, better yet the South African front? Have you ever been to South Africa, are you a member of the LOC that you think you have an answer to all of her problems? From what I see is that you know absolutely nothing about the make up of that country you are just a victim of propaganda the type that feels that Africans cannot and should not have a slice of the pie that is the world cup. The stadiums being built are soccer specific stadiums because of the simple fact that the majority used today belong to the Rugby organisiation; so you suggesting that these satdiums will be white elephants after the world cup is just hog wash. FYI the 2010 world cup is going to create over 150 000 jobs many of which will be permanent long after the world cup has left it’s shores. You and a growing number of people can stand on the highest mountain and scream all you want about the 2010 world cup switched to Australia, but the brutal and hard cold fact is that it will be in South Africa in 2010. You know what’s funny is that many of you misguided fellows also say South Africa will not be ready come 2010, because they are way behind schedule, and yet no one is pointing fingers at the English for always falling behind the deadline of renoivating one stadium (Wembley) which coincidentally is being handled by an Australian constraction company. And lastly don’t preach to me about your intellect – that does not impress me nor is it relevant to the discussion. We also have degrees from some of the best American Universities.

One other thing on the issue of crime, South Africa has hosted world events in the past e.g. the 2003 Cricket World Cup, The 1995 Rugby World Cup, The World Economic summit etc ..etc.. never in any of those events have there been reports of serious crime in other words South Africa know how to handle big events – the FIFA inspection team even pointed that out; South Africa attracted more than 1 million tourists last year alone, and the number keeps increasing yearly, and this is four years before the world cup – so you see your argument is based on nothing really except of course that it is Africans and Africans cannot do anything, and their priorities are mixed up. It is just a one month tournament man, and South Africa 2010 will be one of the best ever. Your aussie brothers will just have to wait their turn in 2018, but I wouldn’t really count on that because the Europeans want it too, and when they want to host the world cup nothing can stop them, just ask South Africa.

Kahuru you can’t even spell my name right or are you just better at spelling my name than I am? The Aussies are not my countrymen but they did deliver the vote that gave my homeland WC 2006. Quit having such an inferiority complex about Africa. Be proud of your heritage. I do really hope that South Africa pulls this off and has a successful event. Well if I am wrong about South Africa being able to handle WC 2010 it is no big deal but if you and Jean are wrong then all of South Africa will look like a JOKE. I can handle being wrong, now time will only tell if you two can handle it if I am proven right.

Obviously, this “discussion” is going nowhere. The cat-fighting won’t get you anywhere. I have confidence in SA and I’m pretty sure that they won’t look like a joke because they will pull off a successful tournament. What any of us think is actually irrelevant. WC 2010 is a big thing for South Africans. They are doing it for their pride in their nation and themselves. We must all just back off and let them do their thing. My belief is that SA is a great country and I hope that 2010 shows the world exactly that. It’s all well and great that Australia wants to stage the tournament…they must just wait their turn in 2018 or whenever after that. 2010 is South Africa’s turn and that’s that.

Me have an inferiority complex – you got to be kidding me and I’ve told you NOT to lecture me, what the hell do you know about my heritage? Just keep your hands off the South Africans and Africans, and what do I care about the spelling of your name? Or is it because you got nothing else to say in rebutle? And you are totally misinformed, Australia did not deliver the winning vote for the 2006 WC. The cold hard fact is that you are wrong in thinking that South Africa are incapable of hosting the 2010 WC, and living in a fool’s paradise if you think the event will and should be switched to Australia. And Jean, I think your summation hits the nail on the head.

The Western media is at it again. Since the World Cup 2010 was given to South Africa, there have been reports mostly in the Western media suggesting that the country would not be ready to host the coveted competition.

It is as if South Africa, and by extension the whole of Africa, had to work extra hard to convince everyone that the World Cup could be successfully hosted in the continent. FIFA, the world football governing body has never had problems with South Africa’s ability to host the competition but the pessimism persists. We have no problem with scrutinising the capacity of any country to host such a big event, but we believe that the current pessimism is misplaced.

seems it is motivated by a pervasive negative mentality about Africa among many Western media and citizens. This is sometimes called Afro-pessimism. It is the deep-rooted belief that Africa does not possess the necessary capacity to perform on the international scale. Some could call it a form of racism but we believe it comes from a deep but misguided mistrust of anything that is African.

Recently, South African Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel released a budget to address the financial requirements of hosting the World Cup. We believe South Africa is more than capable of hosting the World Cup in 2010. We think that unfounded allegations and doubts about South Africa should be rejected by all supporters of football and sport.

FIFA has rightly come out and dismissed the doubts. The years of Western monopoly on the hosting of major world events should come to an end. Football is a great sport and it has billions of supporters across the globe many of them in the Third World.

Bringing such a competition to countries in the Third World in general and Africa in particular is very important. The World Cup is truly on its way to South Africa. We urge everyone to work towards making 2010 a truly African experience.

Today’s Thought

No one will improve your lot if you do not yourself.

- Bertolt Brecht

You want some cheese to go with that whine? Maybe the west is pessimistic since Africa hasn’t accomplished much. If you don’t count Egypt or Carthage then Africa has never developed a civilization like Greece, Roman Empire, China, India, Japan, the Aztecs or the Incas. Since getting your freedom from the colonial powers the African nations have failed miserably in governing their people. The leaders have enriched themselves and then gone into exile and lived off their Swiss bank accounts which they filled with the money they made living off their own corruption. The Congo has so many resources and could be a real example to the rest of Africa but their leaders have just robbed their people blind. It’s like that all across the continent. Other than AIDS you haven’t brought the rest of the world anything. If you want the Western Press to stop wondering if you can pull this off, then start the dang preparations. So far South Africa has talked a good game but not delivered anything. Instead of quoting the German Berthold Brecht you should quote the football coach who said “A good defense is a good offense.” Until South Africa takes the preparations seriously the rest of the world will have concerns. Sepp Blatter got you the world cup and if you can’t deliver then he will go down with you.

I think the main concern is not that they don’t have the money, because it’s obvious that a country with such large mineral reserves would have money. The issue is whether or not South Africa as a nation would benefit more if the money was spent on infrastructure improvements, education and fighting the crime problem which has ballooned in the past 4 years.

South Africans in general seem pretty apathetic to the whole thing. There was a buzz for about a week after it was announced the tournament would be going there and then most people seemed to not care anymore. Just last week I was reading how rioting taxi drivers in Johannesburg threatened to sabotage the World Cup if the government attempts to standardize their industry. That doesn’t sound like a proud nation to me.

The fact of the matter is that South Africa lacks many of the things that most Westerners take for granted. Roads? The network is extensive but South Africa not only boasts the highest number of road deaths in Africa (10,000 a year), but much of the network is so badly maintained that it’s hard to drive down a stretch of bitumen without encountering at least one pothole. Public transport does not exist in South Africa, at least not to any international standard. Trains and buses are notoriously unsafe, and as such are foreign concepts to about 99% of the middle and upper class.

A staggering 22% of adult South Africans are affected with AIDS. Thats 1 in 5 South African adults. South Africa has over 53,000 *reported* rapes every year, the highest per capita in the world, and is second in murders per capita only to Columbia. Indeed 50 people are murdered every day in South Africa. Compare with 30 people ever day in the United States (A country 6 times South Africa’s size).

Face it, the money would be much better spent elsewhere. My wife is South African and I lived there with her for 2 years before deciding to return home to Australia. There really is no comparison between the two nations infrastructure wise. I sincerely hope, for my wife’s family’s sake, that the World Cup in South Africa succeeds, otherwise it will undoubtedly be the final nail in the coffin.

It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s going to be the greatest show in the world. When you do get here, watch out for those taxi drivers – even when they’re not trying to sabotage they’re menaces on the road.

Marianne did you take your midol before you spilled that bile, and Daniel you truly are a victim of propaganda. So here is something to alliviate a desease you both suffer from – ignorance…
It is quite interesting that three weeks after a reputable international construction company had failed to meet the deadline to finish renovations at the hallowed Wembley Stadium in England; no one has raised the alarm or an eyebrow about the incompetence of Europeans.
Yes, Wembley Stadium, the home of British football and venue of their finest hour in the history of football when they defeated then West Germany 4-2 after extra time to win the World Cup in 1966, was supposed to have been completed during August 2005 to enable the English to stage the 2006 FA Cup final there.

But now it seems construction will not be completed even next year, which means the embarrassed English will not be able to stage the 2007 FA Cup final there and, most importantly, the building construction company will be more than two years behind schedule.

I am not rubbing my hands in glee but merely pointing out that the British, the Amricans, the Marianns, the Daniels, the Claudes of the world etc. etc.. and some sections of the local Afrikaans media in South Africa are conspicuous by their silence on such an embarrassing issue that has left the Pommies fuming while the Australian company, tasked with rebuilding the stadium, can no longer come up with excuses to hide their failure to meet the deadline.

In case you are wondering why the hell do I have to go on blabbering about the holier-than-though Pommies and their Australian chommies, please hold on, I promise you are in good company.

Some of us are not surprised by the deafening silence from the hypocrites who stood on top of the highest mountain and claimed South Africa was an unfit host for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

They advanced ridiculous reasons (the pre mentrural Mariann and her chommies included) as to why this country was not ready to stage the Fifa World Cup such as the lack of adequate stadiums, crime, winter cold, lack of transport and, wait for it…. the HIV/Aids pandemic.

We are informed that our stadiums are not up to scratch and not even impressive architectural designs that are expected to be completed by 2008 and 2009 for the event, seem to matter as the prejudiced zealots go on a crusade to undermine this country’s abilities to host the event. Even Africa as a whole.

They even have the temerity to haul out such pitiful excuses like the rampant HIV/Aids virus as something that will scupper the country from staging the event. Now, will somebody please stand up and explain to me how does a person contract this dreaded disease called HIV/Aids?

I was under the impression that one was exposed to the disease if you had sexual intercourse with a person suffering from the disease. Now, if that is the case, then surely those Brazilian, Argentinean, German, Italian, British and Dutch football players cannot be exposed to the disease, unless of course their sole purpose in South Africa would be to shag every local woman they bump into.

But if they would be coming here to play football and enjoy the rich and cultural diversity that this country has to offer, other than matters sexual, then they have nothing to fear as far as contracting the killer disease is concerned.

We are aware of the traffic snarl-up and bottle-neck along the N1 motorway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. We are also aware of the crime wave that is a daily feature of our lives and many other shortcomings.

But who said crime is confined to Africa and the southern tip of the continent only? Can somebody stand up and tell me they can stroll down the Bronx in New York and the other side of Manchester in the dead of night without fear of being mugged or even killed?

I am not trying to pretend there is no crime in my country, but the government is fully aware of it and doing something to combat this scourge. It has also budgeted huge amounts of money to build stadiums and improve the road infrastructure.

So, why can’t those zealots (like the pre menstural Marianne) come out clear and admit that they only want to share the profits of the World Cup finals among the filthy rich European countries and, to a lesser extend, with a few of their South American chommies!

Thankfully, Fifa are standing by their promise that it is Africa’s turn. Yes, our time has come and why, South Africa has endless possibilities, just ask bra Thabo!

Sorry, but as FIFA categorically stated plan A the world cup will be in South Africa in 2010, Plan B the world cup will be in South Africa in 2010, plan C the world cup will be in South Africa in 2010. Sayonara, and oh as for Australia 2018 – forget it England will host it. You just might have a chance in 2022.

Lastly Marianne, AIDS is not an African problem it is a WORLD problem … you bitch!!!

Great reply Kahuru. You have no reply to Marianne so you have to call her a female dog. She didn’t state AIDS wasn’t a world problem just that the disease originated in Africa.

Oh really … Anyway this is not an AIDS issue,anyway FYI the first symptoms OF aids were found among homosexuals in New York in 1982 – so your ingorance is magnified. Typical, the west pilages Africa and then wants to pile her problems on her, and here you go Claud and co. dodging issues. You know you’ve been beat and thus are desperate to paint Africa with your dirty fingers. The 2010 World cup will be in South Africa … and man will it be great!!!!

I have been following the postings on this blog with interest. Much of the views expressed are interesting and accurate, but some are not. There are still many misconceptions about South Africa and the 2010 World Cup. My site, http://www.project2010.co.za, provides the most comprehensive data base of reports relating to the 2010 World Cup from around the world. The idea is reduce the number of inaccurate and damaging reports on SA as it prepares for the biggest event in its history.

As a SA citizen, I cant help wonder if the world has any idea of what is happening here?

Just a little taste: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2025616,00.html

Craig, I have been to your website and find the security story interesting where government promising that parks will be safe, bla, bla….FACT: there are 55 murders per day and 150 reported rapes per day in SA.

The fact is South Africa and Africa will host the 2010 World cup, and zealots (like claud, marianne and co.) cannot accept it. Too bad, because they are all a bunch of nobodies whose rhetorics will change absolutely nothing.

Kahuru is that Zulu for “S**t 4 brains”? The Wembley fiasco was a dispute over fees and had nothing to do with the Aussies not being able to get the job done. Instead of worrying about Wembley you should be concerned about your country’s lack a dasical approach to preparing for 2010. Tell us how many foreigners came to the 2003 Cricket World Cup and to the 1995 Rugby World Cup? How many stadiums were required to hold each of those events and what was the stadium seating capacity for these events. Now compare that to the WC2010 requirements?
It was interersting reading on those websites that Craig and SA posted. Let’s see there is currently a cement shortage in South Africa that will stop during the December Holidays. I wonder what the cement requirements for WC2010 will do to South Africa. Then there is the story of the National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi being accused of running a crime syndicate. Then there is the story of some armed forces units taking part in the Burundi peacekeeping mission losing vehicles and heavy weapons. I would assume the South African soldiers sold those to some Burundi militia units.
Kahuru quit trying to blow smoke up our butts because all we’ll do is fart in your face. All you can do is play the race card and blame the white Europeans. The fact of the matter is most European countries didn’t have colonies. I guess that is because the British Empire got most of them. Your much hated whites will get rich off WC2010 whether it is held in South Africa or not. You need the stadium building expertise of the Europeans, Americans and Australia (they did have a very successful Olympics back in 2000). Since the end of apartheid enough white South Africans have left the counrty because of the rampant crime. Who you going to rob a black South African or a white one who has some money? Doesn’t take Werner von Braun to figure that out.
Keep on spewing your racists crap it won’t carry the day. We have better racists here in the USA. You want us to send you Rev. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton to give you some pointers?
Sometime in the Summer of 2009 FIFA will have to make a decision on WC2010. I sure hope for your country’s sake that FIFA won’t be forced to pull the plug on you and transfer the cup somewhere else.
England is not a lock on WC2018. The Europeans don’t have the votes to decide where the world cups will be held. Neither does Brazil for 2014.

Claud, it just hit me … you are infact a Nazi aren’t you? … Your grand parents were, your parents are, and so is your sister Marianne. And you are always at the forefront of the latest attacks on blacks in your country :) Well, we are made of the toughest material and chracter known to men that is why we are always the target – even when it comes to hosting a one month tournament. UP BAFANA BAFANA, UP SOUTH AFRICA 2010, AND OF COURSE UP THE BUCS!!!!!!!! One idiot even went as far as tallying South Africa’s crime rate when a homicide in America happens every 10 minutes, a car theft every 10 seconds, a rape every 30 minutes, a mugging every 6 seconds, a house breaking every 12 minutes etc… etc… Like the greatest and at times the lousiest empire in the world the USA, (who incidentally want the 2010 just as badly as Germany, who want to host it by default and hiding behind Australia) we are not shy to reveal our statistics to the world. Name any of the other countries, including the US’s cheifest enemies (the Arabs), who are willing to do that.

Was South Africa not nominated by people with much knowledge and well imformed people than the above critics? We should realize that in this world everyone things he is better with knowledge than the next person. But still there is reality which many people want to be reminded of now and again and i am willing to do that right now. people who studied the bids that were presented said South Africa is capable of hosting more than a good world cup. Please before anyone say anything find out about the requirements of hosting the world cup and post your sugestions acordingly.

Well Rode, not quite. Sepp Blatter in order to ascend to the presidency of FIFA promised Africa the 2006 world cup. When it came time to vote countries like England were eliminated leaving just South Africa and Germany. There are 24 votes cast. The final talley was Germany 12 and South Africa 11 with the representative from Oceania abstaining. Had he voted for South Africa it would have been a tie and Sepp Blatter would have been able to cast the tie breaker for South Africa.
Next time Sepp Blatter made sure that this slap in his face could not be repeated. So now the continents rotate the world cup. So for 2010 only countries in Africa were allowed to place a proposal to host the world cup. It no longer mattered that a country somewhere else had a better proposal if they weren’t in Africa they were out of luck. It used to be that the world cup would rotate between South America and Europe but that hasn’t happened since 1986. The 1986 world cup was awarded to Columbia but they had to back out at the last minute and the cup was moved to Mexico instead. Having only countries from one continent be eligible every 4 years is like allowing you only to vote for Democrats in 2006 and then in 2008 only for Republicans. It reeks of the old communist election system where you only had one choice of voting for the communist candidate. So when the FIFA representatives had to vote back in 2004 they were presented with Morocco, South Africa and I think a few other countries. Their choices were limited and they had to choose not the prepared country in the world to host but who they felt would be best qualified in Africa.
In an earlier blog from Bob, South Africa and FIFA stated that the 2010 cup would cost only $300 million. As you can see that has skyrocketed to $1.9 billion and based on most big projects like this the final figure will be higher.
The 2014 world cup is to go to South America or a Latin American country. Apparently Australia is interested in being a host real soon and the head of the European Soccer Union (UEFA) has come out supporting England in 2018 and Europe getting the rotation every third world cup. That may not sound fair but on the other hand there are many qualified countries in Europe who have the stadiums and infastructure already in place or very close to it. I am sure China wants to see the cup in their country and once they have shown what they can do with the Olympics they will be on the short list. I can even see Russia or teams of countries from the former iron curtain interested in hosting real soon (co-hosts like S. Korea and Japan in 2002).
That’s it in a nutshell. I hope there are no inaccuracies and if there are they were not intentional just a failure of my memory.

Based on your anylisis Pokemoon then it is only fair that if this indeed is a WORLD CUP then it is Africa’s turn. Why should everyone else get the world cup but Africa, when there is infact a credible host on the continent? South Africa won the bid on merit – remember too that this was a bid that stood toe to toe with the German bid in 2000, and South Africa would have won it had it not been for murky politics. This thing of rotating the world cup is fair practice, it’s just a pity that Europe wants it more than others, but don’t for one second suggest that South Africa do not deserve to host the world cup nor are they fittng, because they truly are -prejudice aside!!!! Costs going up to 1.9 billion should be South Africa’s concern, because they are footing the bill no one else is, and don’t costs sky rocket? Isn’t that a way of life? Why is it a crime that South Africa’s costs soared from 300 million to 1.9 billion?

Hi there, I attended this years W.C Germany and was based in Cologne. I’ve also visited South Africa on business, Johannesburg to be exact. The reason why I would never even consider is South Africa is safety. In Germany I wandered the streets freely and never saw one incident of violence in the 2 weeks I was there. The locals were friendly and the atmosphere was fantastic. Frankly, having visited South Africa I can’t see how they can realistically replicate the freedom fans had in Germany. Who would want to be ‘holed-up’ in their hotel for 7 days and confirm their socialising to the hotel bar? Johannesburg is a scary place at night and no one can say it’s not dangerous.I also fail to see how South Africa could transport the millions of tourists into and out of the stadiums and between cities. They simply do not have the infra-structure that Germany has nor for that matter say Sydney. It appears however the moment anyone critic’s South Africa 2010 they are either labeled a racist or ignorant. For the record I coach in a team with two Arabs, two Chinese, one refugee from Afghanistan plus two Maoris – so don’t try and indicate I am spurting some old imperialistic dogma. Put succinctly, South Africa is not fan friendly.

South Africa has been awarded the WC 2010. It is not in this blogs power to deny South Africa it’s place in the sun. I have the impression that everyone here is willing to give South Africa the chance to show what they can do. I know I am. Quit being so damn paranoid that the whole world is against you especially us white folks. Ciao.

And just who are you addressing by that last statement Pokemoon, Kahuru or PaulNZ, if that is meant for people like me who have been defending South Africa’s case then you have not been paying attention to the previous posts and why this ‘debate’ heated up, and like a yoked donkey your view is parochial … and if that’s the case then it’s just a damn shame and shame on you.

Does anyone know what a yoked donkey is?

http://www.crimexposouthafrica.org

Still want to go to South Africa in 2010?

Proof – you and PW Botha have something in common – you’re both appealing to the fears of the people who listen to you.

Not only am I going to be in South Africa for the few weeks of the Soccer World Cup 2010 – I live here permanently, I travel regularly to Joburg and Durban on business. Hell, I even often drive into the townships and drop my maid off.

I’ve been robbed a couple of times, but then again I was only in Amsterdam for a day and I was robbed there…was only in London for a couple of weeks and a pal of mine got pick-pocketed there.

Stay away if you want to, but I’m not going to miss the greatest show this earth has ever seen.

Hahaha, that website was exposed as being the work of an insurance fraudster and an attention seeker; meant for gullible people like Proof.All you guys who are now sounding like a broken record about South Africa’s crime rate can stay home for all we care – there will still be many more who will be in South Africa 2010 to make it a memorable event. The rest of you succumb to your fear (False Expectations Appearing Real) and let SA 2010 alone.

We have a choice here. We can believe the South Africans here about the crime problem or the bloggers who have been there as a tourist. Since I know former South Africans who left the country permanently because of the crime problem I will believe the impartial tourists over that biased dope Kahuri. The guy is a big wanger but has a small one. He is one of the biggest dopes I have seen here and what a whiner. I won’t cash in any of my Krugerrands to go to South Africa. The teli will be good enough for me this time. I wonder if the US State Department will issue a tourist warning for South Africa in 2010?

You guys are still at it? Lol. Anyway, I’ve been to South Africa…and I’m glad to say that I’ll be going back for the 2010 World Cup with 10 friends of mine!!! We’ve already started saving and are about to reach our target. Early next year, we’re going to be booking our rooms, hopefully at a township B&B like the one I stayed in when I was there. I’m so excited!! Can’t wait! Great place. Great people.

lol @ Jean.

Liar. You sound like a typical South african tourist operator.

Do you want to lure people to their deaths? Shame on you.

So all of you who are spouting how great things are will be attending 2010?

I am a South African born and bred (1963) and I have had to recently emigrate because of the horrific crime situation. I narowly escaped death a number of times. I was also poisoned.
My friends have all emigrated to Australia, NZ and Canada me in England.
The South African media is controlled by the big finanacial institutions and the government.
the government has launched a massive bulls**t campaign for 2010.
They have massive wealth behind them and this will result in many deaths.
STAY OUT FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
If you dont believe me go ahead and find out the hard way.

Anton,

What South African media are you referring to that is controlled by government and financial institutions?

Independent Media is owned by an Irish tycoon – Tony O’Reilly.

Naspers is effectively controlled by its directors.

Recently, government has been meeting with business to get “Private Business” involved in fighting crime, yet the minister of safety and security will not get involved in assisting “Private Business” in their fight against cash in transit heists?

Johannesburg – A man was arrested after a visiting tour guide was raped at a remote Mossel Bay beach at the weekend, Mossel Bay Tourism (MBT) said on Monday.

“The woman was accosted as she left the water after she’d had a swim; she was then forced behind some rocks where she was raped. She managed to escape and call for help from her group, who were walking nearby.”

News24.co.za

@ hahaha….why would I be lying? I love the place. Anything wrong with that?

In any case the world cup 2010 will be in South Africa … it has been decided. Noneintities and dead beats like Pokemon won’t change that.

Hey you lazy South African idiot, you better start picking up a pick and shovle and get cranking. The Europeans, Socceroos and Americans are just waiting in the wings to step in and take over hosting WC2010 for your inept country. If you guys can’t get this going it will be a cold day in hell before FIFA will give Africa another chance. As soon as we get finished in Iraq we can send you some troops to keep the tourists safe in 2010. We also have some extra cement lying around since you already have a cement shortage before you even start builting. Don’t count on Santa to bring you five stadiums, hotels, a modern rail system, freeways etc.
You are so insecure and your understanding of the English language is pathetic. I have never said that it hasn’t been decided that South Africa would get the world cup. What hasn’t been decided is how long South Afirca will hold on to it if it doesn’t get moving and show it will be ready on time. That’s a big difference you illiterate township refugee.

So what is FIFA waiting for? If things aren’t happening take it away and hand 2010 to a country that will manage to host this event!!!???

Probably Kahuru got a hold of those funds from the Nigerian Oil Ministry and greased FIFA’s pockets. ROFLMAO

South Africa is a modern day miracle. That with so much diversity we have achieved so much in the face of the worlds greatest evil apartheid. And Peacefully when the world expected civil war. Every leader in the known world was schocked at what South Africans achieved. Yes we have challenges yes we dont deny the crime rate. When peace was needed we did not create wars like our big Brothers and an example of how to coexist and listen and resolve. Not by warfair. We have shown the world what it takes to unite people. We have held many sucessful major events and some of the biggest in the world. Our Cape Argur cycle tour is the largest cycling event onthe world calender and growing every year. A spectacle to behold. Show me another single event anywhere where 30 000 compete in one race and its organsation par excellance. Where all from the professionals to the family are incorporated.
Give credit where it is due.
Our stadiums match and better than most first world standards. Whoever has been to our country will confirm we are a friendly nation and very hospitable. Our governance and institutions rank amongst the best. Did we not achieve the first heart transplant. Do you not know that Kaiser Chiefs soccer club fills stadiums whereever they play.A bigger soccer following than any club in the US and most UK clubs. Did you know that President Mandela is a world icon and still the most humble world leader we have ever had in the history of the world. Want me to continue. And guess what . We are a third world country. With or without your critisms we have built with very little International influence some of the finest structures seen anywhere. Some of them Project managed by previously disadvantaged groups. Our architecture and construction is equal and in instances superior to first world countries. And i talk from experience as a project manager. Our higher education levels surpass most institutions world wide for excellance. Our scientists are sort after.Nurses fill hospitals world wide. IT specialists are in demand. The worlds largest synthetic fuel plant is also found in SA. Is it not strange that China is partnering with us to build the worlds largest synthetis fuel plant.
Guys where were you when the sun rose over Africa and the star in the south lit up. Bet your head was in the ground. Like our ostriches
South africa will make world soccer proud . We have done it against all odds before. Please guys dont over rate this little world cup tournament.

Give us some credit and go and see for yourself.

Mike. Where are you living? SA is at war, crime is out of control, the ANC keep passing the buck, our MEC of safety and security is useless and the chief of police is probably involved in organised crime.

Every day there are stories, the latest is that a guy out of bail for murder kills someone else the day before he is convicted for the first one and gets 15 years. In the USA he probably wouldn’t be out on bail, especially after he hacked his first victim to death with a butchers knife, and would probably get life without perol?

The rest of what you are saying is ANC BS for trying to fool everyone into a sence of how great everything is going. bottom line, things are bad and getting worse. Wait until the 2010 vistors getting murdered.

By the way, yesterday the foreign press walked out of a scheduled meeting with no show from SA’s top delegates?????

Mike here is some feel good stuff

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Home/0,,2-7,00.html

Case in point to my former reply:

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_2033706,00.html

Mike I hate to differ with you that apartheid was the world’s greatest evil. That does a real injustice to the millions of victims to national socialism and communism. I would also say that slavery itself is a greater evil than apartheid.
Mandela is a great man but to put him ahead of Gandhi, Mother Teresa is a stretch. Our Martin Luther King Jr. did many great things for equality and like Gandhi he did it with peaceful resistance. None of these 3 was the leader of a country but they certainly where leaders on the world stage.
In a recent article of the world’s top colleges and universities, I didn’t see one from South Africa. However, the US and Eaurope was very well presented.
South Africa’s world cup organizing committee blowing off the press conference yesterday seems to suggest that your country has lost interest in WC2010. That was a comment made in an earlier blog from a former 2 year residence of South Africa. I just hope that yesterday was just a snafu and not a sign of how disinterest your country has become in WC2010.

Selebi link ‘used as a cover for crime’?
01/12/2006 08:58 – (SA)
Uncensored M&G hits the streets

Selebi using car ‘not sinister’

‘Double standards’ over Selebi

Agliotti: Selebi knew of probe

New Selebi ‘friend’ surfaces

Government backs Selebi

‘Selebi must go’
Johannesburg – Police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi knew four years ago that Glenn Agliotti was being probed for drug dealing, the Mail & Guardian reported on Friday after defeating an attempt to gag the newspaper.

The M&G ran details from a statement made to the Scorpions, after winning a last-minute court battle on Thursday night against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which commands the Scorpions, enabling it to publish the story.

M&G editor Ferial Haffajee said the “ungagged” version was wrapped around the “gagged” version of the newspaper, which had already been printed by the time the urgent interdict brought by NPA head Vusi Pikoli was dismissed by the Johannesburg High Court.

When police seized a R105m mandrax consignment in 2002, Selebi was “informed about Glenn Agliotti’s involvement”, said the statement to the Scorpions.

The M&G reported that the subsequent investigation failed spectacularly – Agliotti remained untouched, suspects caught red-handed were released and much of the haul was stolen back from the police.

Selebi used as a “cover” for crime

Selebi visited the scene, reportedly saying the bust sent a message to drug lords that they had “nowhere to hide from the law”. He could not have been more wrong.

The M&G said it had no evidence that Selebi personally interfered with the investigation, but the incident raises serious questions around his denial of knowing of criminal allegations against his friend Agliotti.

At issue is why he did not terminate the relationship with Agliotti, recently arrested in connection with the murder of businessman Brett Kebble.

The statement compounds evidence that Agliotti and those around him used their relationship with police – and Selebi in particular – as a “cover” for crime, said the newspaper.

The statement was made by Paul Stemmet, who headed Palto, a vigilante group which freelanced for the police.

Stemmet’s statement also described Sandton shopping sprees in which Agliotti allegedly lavished gifts like clothing on Selebi and his family.

Staff at one of the shops named told the M&G that Agliotti was a client and Selebi had an account there but said Selebi paid for himself.

Selebi has previously denied receiving any gifts from Agliotti, apart from a framed T-shirt signed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, which now hangs in police headquarters near Selebi’s office.

Scorpions head Leonard McCarthy submitted an affidavit to the court in support of the gagging attempt, saying that if the story was published it could irreparably harm the Scorpions’ investigation.

“The investigation focuses on the offences of drug dealing, racketeering, money laundering, corruption and murder. Some of the allegations that are being investigated include allegations of targeted corruption of senior law enforcement personnel; laundering of large amounts of local and foreign currency through at least seven destinations worldwide; smuggling of drugs from Europe, through South Africa and on to other foreign destinations; the large-scale [smuggling of] contraband and counterfeit goods into South Africa; and the assassination of individuals who do not subscribe to the code of the criminal network,” said McCarthy’s affidavit.

Draw your own conclusions from the following. Penny for your thoughts, kahuru and thabo.

SAPS hit by racism row

December 17 2006 at 03:30PM

An additional 21 cases can be added to a report of a deliberate campaign within the South African Police Service to get rid of non-black members.

This is according to a statement released at the weekend by the Civil Rights Union, AfriForum, established by the trade union Solidarity.

“Various new sources from all over the country have come forward after the publication last week of AfriForum’s comprehensive report, in which the conclusion was reached that members of the
police trade union, Popcru, are heading this strategy against non-black police service members.”

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson Boiki Tsedu reiterated the standpoint, made previously, that there was no

mpaign whatsoever.

He said Popcru called on Solidarity to “resist the temptation to make such statements”.

Meanwhile, Afriforum chief executive Kallie Kriel said the latest additional examples of “new racism” in the police made it necessary for AfriForum to product a sequel report.

The first report, entitled “New racism in the South African Police Service (SAPS)”, has already been submitted to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), read the statement. – Sapa

Fact One; South Africa has the most rapes (per capita) in the world

Fact Two; has the most murders with firearms (per capita) in the world

Fact Three; has the second most murders (per capita) in the world

Fact Four; has the fourth most robberies (per capita) in the world

Sod political expediency.

The major priority for FIFA should be safety of the players and fans alike, before any consideration is given to stadiums, transport infra-structure etc.

F.Y.I; I coach two South kids in my team and the reason they give,emigrated from South Africa is a safer life.

Speaks volumes.

lazy south africans?
pokemoon get a clue, 70% of americans are fat!! i wonder why…lazy Toss

One child raped every 24 minutes
11/04/2007 10:51 – (SA)

Johannesburg – A child is raped every 24 minutes and every eight minutes one is molested in South Africa, trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday.

Forty percent of rapes reported were of children, said deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann ahead of a conference on Thursday to discuss crimes against children.

“According to a report that will be discussed at the conference, more than three children are murdered every day in South Africa.”

The conference would also discuss the murder of seven-year-old Sheldean Human, who was abducted from her Pretoria home in February.

Her body was found in a stream in Pretoria West in early March.

“Sheldean’s fate has become a symbol of the vulnerability to crime of all South Africans, and of children in particular,” said Hermann.

Other matters to be discussed at the conference were the closing of the SAPS Child Protection Unit, Gauteng Social Development departments, the decision to halt social subsidies for needy whites and the failure of the legal system to protect children.

I called a South African a lazy idiot. In no way does that apply to a whole country. Every country has their own lazy jerks. You really need to get an understanding of the English language.

I bet “South African” you are a hider nick of Kahuru. He has a long history of interpreting everything the way he wants and not understanding what was written in plain English that even a 7 year old could understand.

Fan shot while watching cricket
18/04/2007 11:32 – (SA)

Durban – The Proteas’ emphatic cricket win over England ended in tragedy for a Durban man who was shot by a burglar in his house moments after he watched the last ball being bowled, police said on Wednesday.

Sam Wyer, 55, had been watching the match when he spotted an intruder coming down the stairs into his lounge, Wyer’s son-in-law Shannon Beaton said.

Wyer grappled with the burglar while shouting to his wife, who was in a nearby room, to flee the house.

Police spokesperson Michael Read confirmed the shooting and said a case of murder had been opened.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said Wyer had been shot twice, including one shot to the chest. Wyer was dead by the time paramedics arrived on scene.

The intruder had apparently climbed up a security gate and squeezed through a gap of a little more than 10 centimetres between the wall and a burglar bar.

A handbag and some jewellery were taken.

Wyer’s wife was unharmed and alerted police form a neighbour’s house.

SA’s ‘13 threats to freedom’
27/04/2007 14:30 – (SA)

Johannesburg – South Africans have much to celebrate on the country’s thirteenth Freedom Day but faced the same number of real threats to hard-won liberty, Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said.

“It is a sad irony that after 13 years, there are 13 very real threats to our hard-won liberty, and we need to have a frank and honest discussion about them.”

First on Leon’s list was the state’s continuing attempts to encroach the independence of the judiciary.

Next was an overreach of the executive power with Leon saying that a steady consolidation of authority in the Presidency had usurped decision-making from elected representatives.

Third and fourth dangers were the closing of spaces for civil society and encroachment on press and media freedom.

Next was a lack of respect for democratic outcomes with the African National Congress’ attempts to unseat the DA-led Cape Town multiparty coalition as a warning that government cared about democracy as long as it was winning.

Number six was crime, with most South Africans living in fear.

Next was foreign policy which Leon said had betrayed a legacy of negotiated democratic settlement by supporting or refusing to condemn a “rogues’ gallery of despotic regimes”.

“We are becoming associated with the polecat-club of dictators shunned by most of the world.”

Eighth was the ANC’s determination to rewrite history to privilege its role above others – changing place names, airbrushing individual histories and “generally falsifying history into one, triumphalist, majority-nationalist narrative”.

HIV/Aids followed, and at number ten was worsening poverty and joblessness with failure to implement growth-driven reforms “lighting a powder-keg of resentment amongst the poor”.

“Far too many of our people stand resentfully outside the winners’ enclosure, peering at a small, well-connected elite whose privilege drives home the majority’s suffering.”

Education and skills training was the eleventh listed danger, followed by failure to deliver on promises.

The thirteenth threat subsumed the others, Leon said.

“It is the governing party’s obsession with transformation, meaning political control by the ANC of all levers of power in society as well as the relentless pursuit of demographic representivity at all costs.”

This was “inimical” to the values of individual freedom and accountability, Leon said.

Pregnant woman raped
28/04/2007 23:33 – (SA)

Kimberley – Two men and a 16-year-old boy have been arrested in connection with the rape of an 18-year-old pregnant woman, Northern Cape police said on Saturday.

The three were arrested at Galeshewe near Kimberley on Friday, said spokesperson Tony Modise.

It is believed that the men – aged 18 and 23 – the boy and four others stopped the woman and her boyfriend in a street in Galeshewe while they were walking home at about 23:00 last Sunday.

Three men allegedly assaulted the woman’s boyfriend, while the others held the woman down.

“They took turns raping her and were later joined by the other three,” said Modise.

“The then took the boyfriend’s cellphone and left.”

The three were arrested after police investigations and were expected to appear in court soon, said Modise.

Police were still searching for the other four men, he said.