Beckenbauer worried by South Africa’s “African Problems”

Well, the Germans are already sending one of their main 2006 WC organizers, Mr. Schmidt to South Africe to help out. Furthermore, if SA cannot finish the stadia in time, FIFA’s plan B is to host in the only country which would be capable of organzing an event of this magnitude in ver short time: The U.S. of A…..
Source (German only, so far):
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/,tt3m3/sport/weltfussball/artikel/427/86341/

Germany showed the U S howe to
do it. I would love to get same Games to Houston

I am a South African and I think the one thing that many people refuse to understand [not sure why?] is that we have already succesfully hosted several world events and though there are challenges that arise from the size of the World Cup, South Africans will show that the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa will be the best ever. We are in many ways a country of miracles.

Agreed Edwin.

SA did a cracking job on both the Rugby World Cup and the Cricket World Cup and although those are nothing like the FIFA World Cup, they’re good tests.

And as for “”African problems?” Beckenbauer shouldn’t cast stones so freely, methinks. That path leads to some nasty and ultra-sensitive rebuttals.

Thanks Chris. Hope to welcome you and many others [even the sceptics] to South Africa in 2010 or over the next few years. There are still many problems/challenges that we need to address in South Africa before 2010 but we are very determined to address it.

Everyone will surely respect Beckenbauer’s point of view when it concerns the game, but not when a whole continent is insulted and considered so sligthly. As already mentioned by the former comments, I think it’s high time a respected individual of his nature should be questioning how well the german managerial techniques have ever led them to becoming the best leaders from the colonial era to modern times.

Yup, the 2010 world cup will be a failure of epic proportions.

You only need too look at:
http://www.crimexposouthafrica.org/

How could the 2010 world cup ever be a success? Don’t host it in South Africa!

I strongly disagree with the comment posted by John Tweste, the 2010 world cup will most definitely be a ROARING SUCCESS. I stay in Cape Town, and have seen the progress that has already been made. At the moment Athlone Football Stadium (a practice venue) is under construction, builders can be seen working from as early as 7am. The road network in and around the city is being upgraded, Cape Town International Airport has just completed the first phase of its development.

They said we would never beat apartheid, we did. You say we will never host a successful tournament, WE WILL.

Instead of being negative, give Africa it’s chance. We won’t disappoint.

I just had a look at the website provided by John Tweste. Firstly I am not sure how this comment relates to Beckenbauer’s original comment. But then I’m also not sure how you arrive at the conclusion that the challenge of crime [which we have and will do our damndest to continue to deal with] will prevent the 2010 FIFA world cup from being a success in South Africa. Can it honestly be said that there was no crime in all the countries who have hosted the previous FIFA world cups? Remember, we had crime when we hosted the Cricket and Rugby World Cups as well as the African Cup of Nations and other huge international events, but yet these were well-organised tournaments by any standard. I would be interested to understand your logic. But if you are merely an ex-South African trying to justify why you are continuing to live in New Zealand, or you are merely a proxy for friends and family members of the above category, then I am not at all surprised at your comment. I have said before, that we have some big and small challenges in South Africa towards 2010, but despite these, we will pull of the biggest soccer party the world has ever seen. I invite you to be less pessimistic and come and see for yourself.

First of all, I’m really shocked by Beckenbauer’s statements. The audacity of this man to insult all Africans. A man with his stature making comments as such is inexcusable. I personally think South Africa will be just fine. One thing I noticed is the ones who usually bash South Africa on holding a World Cup are Australians. I don’t know why that is but I’ve noticed it. Maybe its b/c they are hoping that South Africa fails and the World Cup would be held in Australia. Am I wrong?

I think someone needs to tell Beckenbauer that he owes the African continent an apology for his comment. There are problems of people working against each other, but to call this an “African problem” is going too far. But [Daniel] let’s not fall into the same trap by accusing all Australians of the same thing. There are SOME Australians in the category you mention, but certainly not all. Please have a look at the folowing article: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/11/11882.html

Which source of imformation is Mr Backebauer using. One thing Im sure of is that it is very much outdated. Keep up with times dont let the world leave you behind. South Africa will host a descent world cup. Mind you i just look around me to see that. I wonder what you base your comments on. Comments earn people respect when they are true or maybe you should explain your comments better because i have noticed that when germans speak English they force the same order of words used in german language and end up giving not intended statements.

I see that Mr Beckenbauer has now apologised. Let’s accept it and move on….

As a Greek who lived in SA for many years and now residing in Greece, I think most of you are deluded if you think SA is remotely close to being ready to host the World Cup. Many reporters all over the world gave Athens such a hard time while we were preparing for the 2004 Olympic Games, especially the South African white community. What was Athens doing in the meantime though? One of Europe’s largest airports was being constructed, a massive underground metro line connecting most of the city was being developed, tram systems were put in place, new busses were purchased, hotels and buildings were renovated, huge roads and freeways were being constructed and apart from all that, 16 new venues were either being built from scratch or being renovated. An Olympic village the size of an actual small town was also built. That is the point of applying for such games and getting them, the upliftment of the country’s infrastructure, economy and long-term benefits. Besides all that, Rogue even admitted that those were amazing Games, forcing the international community to apologise for their earilier comments. Most of you think that if SA has 16 stadiums and good roads, thats more than half the work done. Thats not even one quarter. SA itself admits it does not have enough accomodation at the moment, the transport system is a disgrace (only kombi-taxi service and an abandoned Gautrain project). How will the tourists travel? Are they all expected to either squeeze in a mini-bus taxi or rent a car? Is the crime being contolled at all? I’ve heard of so many Europeans refusing to go to SA in 2010 purely based on what we hear everyday about the crime. Comparisons were drawn between the FIFA world cup and the rugby and cricket world cups. There is no comparison that can be drawn between a giant such as the FIFA world cup and the other two minor sporting events, on global scales. The biggest sporting event is the Olympics, followed by the FIFA world cup and in third place is the Euro Cup. It takes a great deal of organisation to prepare for all of these competitions. SA had the chance to initiate massive development and upliftment programs 4 years ago, in order for the country to reap the benefits in years to come. Thats the point of getting games such as these, not to make a childish point to the world that yes, we can host the games. If thats the mentality, then the games will be average and over within a month but security, economic and social aspects of SA will not change. I notice that a great deal of you posting messages here are white and living abroad. Tell me, will these games benefit the 70% of Africans living below the breadline in the years to come? They cant even afford tickets to watch their team play in their own country. Before coming to a conclusion on the ’success’ of these games, consider all the options, the real point of the games and how unique SA’s position is when compared to every single previous host of the FIFA world cup.

I still dont get your point.

Do I hear the Greek point being that South Africans can’t do what Grecians were able to do and that we have not even begun to think about how to deal with the challenges? I have news for you: FIFA has already given the thumbs up for the planning process thus far, in many respects way ahead of where Germany was 4 yrs prior to 2006. I do however think you make a good point about those South Africans who are living below the bread-line and how they will benefit from the FIFA world Cup. It might be constructive if you had some suggestions about how we can ensure that the poorest also benefit significantly?

you dont get my point because for most of you, these sporting events are just that, thats your problem. You want suggestions? Whatever I say or you say changes nothing. You cant compare an economic power house like Germany to SA, they already have transport sytems, 1st world accomodation and media facilites. SA does not and anyone who has studied politics and economics in SA knows that. Tha fact is not whether SA can do what the Greeks did, the fact is that they have not. Greece was already a first world country to begin with, whereas SA is not and thus needs much more work. FIFA obviously gave the thumbs up, what where they to say, we made a mistake and we’re sorry. That will not only be bad for SA but make them look ridiculous too. I have read in at least 4 articles that Australia and the USA have been told to be on standby as the Cup could be taken away a few months before kickoff. They have the infrastructure and security that can cater for the Cup, with even a mere 4 months prior warning. The suggestions are that the government should have got cracking 4 years ago, renovating roads full of potholes, renovating train lines, introducing efficient taxi services, introducing bus services that will be there after the cup too, perhaps even implementing an efficient train system throughout the country(safe trains too, ones people arent afraid to use). The Gautrain does nothing more than go from Joburg to Pretoria and back, via the airport. Secondly, they should have begun building new stadiums and hotels ages ago. Thirldy, renovations should have begun in the CBD’s of major cities. And finally but most importantly, done something about the crime. Everyday it seems to get worse by what I read on the net and hear on the news. Thats why the Rand is falling again (lack of faith in the country’s security) and that was one of the conditions that needed to be addressed when they were given the Cup. Has it been addressed? No. The point I was making is that most of you are arguing over rubbish. The point of getting such an opportunity is to create long term economic and social benefits, by using international investment for the Cup to bring money into the country to develop infrastructure, media services, etc. Its not to prove to the world that SA can host it, no one will care by 2012 whether they could or could not host it. The thing that will be remembered by the locals however will be how did that opportunity change our lives? For the better or for the worse?

Thanasi, you make a few good points but you lose it by all the other rubbish you write. I live in South Africa and can tell you that you do not know what you are talking about. Let’s deal with the facts: why do you think our tourism figures are jumping each year by leaps and bounds if your claims are true? There must be many stupid tourists and businesspeople out there. How could we host all these international [admittedly smaller] events if we did not have the media facilities? Do you really think the FIFA people are stupid to have given the country and the planning thus far the thumbs up? I think the sooner you admit how ignorant you are the better. If FIFA has a plan B, good for them. But you are deluding yourself if you think we will not plan this to the best of our ability. There is nothing wrong with criticism and if you really want to read a good critique I suggest you look at http://allafrica.com/stories/200610050293.html
But maybe you are the kind of person who says: “My mind is made up…don’t confuse me with the facts!”

Edwin, I lived in SA till 2005, studied my honours there and am now doing master in Politics and economics in europe. If anyone is ignorant to the state of affairs in africa, its you. You miss the point, which is typical. Tourism, business people, all this means nothing. I’m saying this once and not replying again becaue chatting to you is a waste of my time and an insult to my intelligence. The point of bidding for the FIFA cup was to give SA the chance to develop, to make a difference for its people and Africa as a whole by lifting the market through the African super-power. Has SA taken advantage of that opportunity? NO!!! No infrastructure changes to roads, transport systems, CBDs, media system and most importantly, NO EFFORT IN CONTROLLING CRIME. Building stadiums means nothing to the average south africa. His/her life will not change after the games, it will just get worse as they will be paying for the expenses of the games through taxes for the next 20 years and getting nothing in return. No stable security, no transport system, no clean streets, no city centres that compete with other states SA should be competing with and hence, no real economic growth. That my friend was the point of the Cup, to enhance the country’s future role in the global economy, not to give them the chance to make a childish point that they can host a stupid competition that lasts one month. The facts are all over the international community, no matter how well the SABC tries to hide them. We outside can all see the problems and it doesnt matter what anyone thinks or says, its all clear to anyone who understands what the real purpose of these games are.

You have now made the point how intelligent you are and how you are studying…I too am studying for a Doctorate degree. I will repeat that you make some good points about the REASON why 2010 was awarded to South Africa [and I agree with you on that] but as far as the reality on the ground in South Africa, you are wrong. Two weeks ago I travelled to Namibia and back to Cape Town via a different route and I saw and experienced the excellent roads myself. I had a small accident a few months and called the police and they were there within 5 minutes. OF COURSE there are challenges and no-one is denying that. But who is leading the African Rennaisance movement and NEPAD? South Africa is. Whose economy is growing steadily? Ours! Just yesterday it was announced that R64billion will be invested in the rail system. I see the changes at the ports and airports with my own eyes. So you are factually wrong. I repeat: you are right on the reasons why the Cup was given and to some extent those are happening but you are wrong if you say nothing is happening about building South Africa. On the crime question: I also do not believe that crime is being tackled as effectively as it should be but I am confident that at least SOMETHING is being done and more will be done over the next few years. As a South African who struggled against apartheid and who was jailed for it and who now continue to work for its development on all levels, I will not simply sit back and allow people to write rubbish about my country without getting a response.

SA may be able to launch the Cup in the end, but the end result will be an spectacular failure that will look small next to the Challenger shuttle disaster in the USA.

Tourist increase?

Internal increase is at an annualized 4%, which is on par with other african nations.
Much more significantly, this is concentrated in “safe” tourist zones in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
Anyywhere else, it’s basically every tourist for himself.
http://www.wttc.org/publications/pdf/06South%20Africa.pdf

Truths:
The leisure and hospitality infrastructure is working and should be ok, but only in 4 or 5 of the host cities.

Transportation:
Terrible. No safe light rail or bus system to speak of. Distances are great, and some terrain is completely inhospitable for driving along broken roads to some of the smaller venues. The main roads are world-class, but extremely unsafe at night.
Commercial airlines have international capacity, but they are expensive for the average african and the 23 daily frequencies are barely adequate for a match day movement of 50k+ people. Cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town (and this is by far the best-serviced route).
will struggle but perhaps manage, while the others have no commercial airliner viability, as they are military airports.

Income: 50% of all africans are poor. They will not be able to afford a)tickets b) merchandise, c) transportation.

Ticket prices, as stipulated in their FIFA bid submission, target ticket prices that are similar or marginally higher than in Germany.
http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/congress/IG_Report_FWC_2010_EN.pdf

For the average african, this will be impossibly expensive. FIFA has even considered a two-tier price-fixing that will undoubtly explode right in their
faces.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/comment/story/0,,1816117,00.html

Furthermore, According to their Budget presented to the FIFA, their total budget was 825B, of which over 60% has to be produced by local governments.
http://www.fifa.com/documents/fifa/congress/IG_Report_FWC_2010_EN.pdf
The committee has reportedly been having trouble getting funding of 2% of that to even begin work.
Only 3 stadiums are targeted for renovation, while the remainder have to be build from a scratch.
All of the tenders have start dates ranging from September of this year until Jan 2007. This means that, in exactly 2.5 months, with no work being done, every single of the new stadiums will start construction late.
Not to mention that most are terribly underbudgeted and spiraling cost overruns.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=278182&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/
http://www.kicker.de/wmspecial/wm2006/startseite/artikel/352755/

Crime: I am not even going to go there. Just follow this link.
http://www.crimexposouthafrica.org/?q=/taxonomy/term/10

I could go on and on…my point is, if (and that is a big IF) SA manage to hold this Tournament, it will have a hard time breaking even, it will certainly be hard pressed to avoid a ‘legacy’ disaster, and almost certainly be a financial disaster for the african taxpayer….

This will leave SA with either the lowest attendance rates in history, financial stagnation, or simply remembered as the “forgettable tournament”.

I think I need to leave a brief thought with you and others, Kurt, because no amount of argument will convince you. Many of the sceptics’ arguments I hear about South Africa and our hosting of 2010, reminds me of the comments I heard before the elections in South Africa in 1994….as far as the commentators were concerned then South Africa would never have made it! The opposite is true….we are a thriving democracy, probably the best on the African continent and we are proud of this. We have proven you wrong before and we will do so again in 2010.

Posted from South Africa by a very proud South African….

Thanasi , put all your doctorates degrees and politic aside. Thansi it is easy for you to sit in Greece and comment on what is written in your books or what you hear in the press. I work in the construction Industry and deal directly with the developers, government construction companies, Investors in fact the entire supply chain . South Africa has good strong plans and partnerships that are being executed . Regeneration schemes that are being funded.South Africans have brought out architects and advisors for Germany to assist .There is a great sense of collaborating to assist and make this work . They are in fact not behind in terms of the actual stadium building and regeneration the stadiums are at the same stage as Germany where. Secondly we have some of the best road systems in the world. ( wonder how London will cope) There is transport issue, I will admit that but they are dealing with it. There will always be a critic in the camp and fair enough !!. But from a construction perspective there is major confidence . Some of the biggest contractors like Group Five who have built masses in half the time in Dubai and aba Dhabi are the leaders among other top players .The stadiums by the way are being made sustainable by ensuring that after the games they can be used again as educational facilities or sports, health facilities. So once again I have to wonder how much you really know. South Africa has also received the most sponsorship in place than any other FIFA world cup.. mmmmmmmmmmm that tells me without my “political degree” that their is investor confidence.Finally when banks like HSBC, Barclays start opening offices that is a good sign. Their is a belief and understanding that we WILL do this. The last thing South African needs is some critic hiding in Greece! Give me a break . I am totally sick of people like you who have such a negative attitude.
I would also like to mention and quote from one of the biggest developers and middle east investors who have completerd the largest transaction for development in South Africa. I dont think they will shut down the waterfront after the world cup .. so yesssss there will be benefit and not just a one month game!
“Dubai developer Nakheel and London & Regional Properties will invest $1-billion in improving a popular Cape Town waterfront as South Africa prepares to host the soccer World Cup in 2010, Nakheel said on Thursday.
Government-owned Nakheel and Britain-based London & Regional will add more hotels, resorts and shopping malls to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Nakheel said in a statement.
The developments may also include a yacht club, a cruise ship terminal and a train station, Nakheel said.
Our vision is to create the Riviera of South Africa, developing a resort that will become a global attraction,” Nakheel Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive James Wilson said in the statement Istithmar Chief Executive David Jackson told Reuters this month he was considering more ventures in South Africa to tap the country’s growing economy, and may make an investment as early as the first quarter.”

I will remain with Edwin on this one and be proudley and confidentley south African!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I truly fail to understand why some people are so negative with South Africa hosting the world cup, saying that we will not be ready. That is being really shallow. As I speak, people are at work making sure that infrastructure is ready. The construction of the Gautrain (underground train) has started, renovations and improvements are being made to the JHB international airport, the construction of the main stadiums has begun. Now, it makes me wonder what could prevent us from reaching the deadline when we have a very supportive proudly SA business community and government. Everything will be ready in time and this we will ensure because Africa’s time to shine is long overdue. The whole country is behind the world cup and we are all playing an important role in making it a reality. It’s one thing to be concerned and offer assistance where one can assist and it’s another to sit back and hope that all fails. South Africa is a wonderful country and I love it here!!! Viva 2010.

For those of you planning to visit South Africa in 2010.
I am a South African born and bred (1960) and I have had to recently emigrate because of the horrific crime situation. I narrowly escaped death a number of times. The South Africa of today is a nightmare of robbery, murder and rape. The violence used in these criminal acts is terrifying and done with real racist hatred of whites. If you come to the 2010 world cup in South Africa there is a real chance of your wife or daughter being raped in front of you and then having your throat slit.
My friends have all immigrated to Australia, NZ, Canada or like me to UK. There is an ethnic cleansing of whites taking place in SA, over one million whites have been forced out since Mandela came to power in 1994. The international media is uncomfortable in exposing these atrocities in this country because it is black on white hate crime and this causes tension in the USA and Europe, SA is the hidden killing field of the world. Unspeakable atrocities are being committed against whites by blacks. South African blacks have the highest standard of living in Africa and the rest of Africa is trying to get over the borders yet the blacks in SA have a racist hatred of whites. Big financial institutions and the government control the South African media and they want to protect the investments of the big financiers of Europe and America.
The government has launched a massive bulls**t campaign for 2010.
They have massive wealth behind them to fund the lies and spin, and this will result in many deaths. Have a look at these videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO4_kVlHjOE
STAY OUT FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
If you don’t believe me go ahead and find out the hard way.

I see that Sabelu Mthembu claims that he is in South Africa “I love it here” yet it is showing UK. (British flag)
It is also not true to say that all South Africans are behind the world cup. Many South Africans are unhappy that the corrupt ANC government is profiting from the blood of ordinary South Africans.

I took a look at that site Anton! Very hard hitting. I suppose we could also post some pics of what happening all over the world and they would be just as shocking!! I do appreciate that there is a huge crime issue and I hope they can sort that out because there will be now hiding when there is a spotlight on south Africa. I am still going to remain positive that this will be a success. Proudly south African!

I too am saddened by Anton’s experience in South Africa. But I am trying to work out why Anton did not leave South Africa when there was institutional violence against the majority of South Africans. Part of the reality that Anton and others are experiencing now is a direct result of that violence against black people and it will take time to heal. White South Africans would do themselves and the rest of us a favour if they took more responsibility for the violence they sanctioned and committed over many years. I accept that extreme violence can also happen against me and my family but having studied in the UK and the USA I also saw some terrible things on their newschannels. Rather than complain, my suggestion is that we all work together and do something about the problems we have. Remember, we have welcomed millions of people to our country over the past few years and our tourism figures continue to grow and the reality is that 99% of these visitors go home safely. 1 incident is one too many but we do not unfortunately live in an ideal world.

I agree once again. I am going home soon and will be doing some work on the stadia and will be also very intertes to see the growth and the attitude with the people that are building these satdia

Good stuff, Karen. You are a child of South Africa and more than welcome to return home, particularly since you will be coming back to make a positive contribution. It will be good to hear from you about your experiences.

International tour operators have as recently as last week publically inforned the South African authorities that they will have no option other than to remove Durban from their list of destinations to vist unless safety and security improves immediately and cosiderably. Will FIFA be forced to follow suit if public safety cannot be improved or guaranteed in the short term? They sure-as-anything will have to consider this.

Any new developments from Capetown Karen Neary? Will Athlone really be suitable as a semi-final venue in place of Green Point? And what news of the progress on all the new hotels at the Water Front that you wrote about. Are these on the drawing books yet? Or are we to house our visitors in the cruise ships (proposed) that you speak about. Please tell us if you can, because we are all in the dark here in South Africa (no pun intended). I estimate Cape will need around 200 new and big hotels. And this number seems about right for all the other host cities too. Pitty be can’t bring these liners inland too, because we surely need each of our visitors to have a bed to sleep in.

And how will we get to the matches at Green Point if the new stadium is ever built? Seems like we’ll need about 1000 new busses too – and trained drivers, and everything else that such volumes will need as logistical support. The same applies to all the other cities too.

All good for employment, Karen, if only it could be remotely possible to put these things in place and fully operational in good time.

I am very aprehensive about the reality and practicality of continuing to plan for 2010. We dont have time. We have three years to go to meet completion deadlines.

Holding the World Cup in South Africa was everybody’s dream back when we were awarded the privalege. What a boost it would have been for South Africa, and our continent as a whole. It’s so very, very sad that the reality that this might never happen here is becomming so increasingly evident.

Will somebody in the know, please provide us with site of the planning schedule leading to 2010. We really need, and have the right, to be provided with routine progress reports.

If, however, there are in fact no such plans or updates to report on, then the soccer world as a whole, as well as all other stake-holders both here and abroad, must be told of this immediately.

We have three years ladies and gentlemen. Three very short years!

Pedro, I have a few practical suggestions: (1) Go to Google alerts and ask that you receive daily updates from the Web on South Africa FIFA 2010. This is what I get and I read the good and the bad news about the process leading up to 2010. It is not going to be all smooth, but for once believe in your country and the people of your country. Just as we pulled off the 1994 elections and other big events after that (despite some people believing we are going down the tubes) we will pull off 2010. (2) Someone I met recently (an advocate in Cape Town) decided he was not going to moan about crime but actually do something about it and he became a police reservist. Maybe this is something that more of us should consider doing. 30 000 new police officers will be deployed between now and 2010. I am also in close contact with some people in the private security industry and this is growing and will grow between now and 2010. (3) I think we are being too uncreative about the question of accommodation. All that a visitor to Cape Town needs is 2-4 square meters. Many people I know will open their doors to visitors from abroad and I think we should begin to think in this direction rather than build more and more (probably unsustainable) hotels. Believe me: South Africa will pull it off!

Anton, you again!

The more you scream, the more you sound like and idiot man. You really don’t get it. Initially, you used to post links about crimeexpo south africa. Now that that’s been exposed as a fraud, you bring in youtube. I’m pretty sure you’re one of the gullible people who got robbed by that website because of your anger and resentment towards your country. Grow up Anton. No country in the world is perfect.

Lastly, Apartheid is over, it’s never coming back. No amount of hate against the new south africa is gonna bring it back. Leave us alone because we wanna see this place work. Unlike you.

Hans is quite correct in his assertions but could have gone much further in highlighting the present setup in that country.

Whilst rugby | cricket have to include % of black players, this does not apply to football, as there are no whites in the teams for the last so many years

S A football is as corrupt as the central government, ask anyonan but wonder why S A was chosen, far away, expensive to fly to, due cartel by a/lines on the Europe/SA route

Expect quite a few killings amongst the supporters/visitors, robberies | attacks will be plentifull, but will hardly be reported in the leftist press.

Please also notify visitors as to the dangers of driving under the influence of liquour, you will be arrested @ LOCKED UP AWAITING APPEARANCE IN COURT, chances of being raped and getting aids are very high, it ocurs daily, so you may consider watching the world cup from the comford of your home

While I am not against the World cup being held in South Africa by any means. I do feel that if the South African government cannot deal with the crime at its present level, how can we expect the government to deal with all the tourists and visitors that will flock to our shores. All South Africans regardless of race or ethnic background should stand up and tell the international community that we are not ready to cope with all the players/supporters who will put their lives at risk visiting our country. No doubt there is no shame in admitting we cannot cope.

Thabo, I dont believe that Antons statements are speaking of bringing apartheid back or hating the new South Africa. I do agree with you that there is no going back and I wouldnt want it any other way.

I dont believe either that we should look over our shoulders and keep on talking about what happened in the past. Why dont we talk about the crime that is in South Africa now and how can it be fixed. There is crime in South AFrica and it is affecting everyone regardless of colour.

Edwin Arrison, your explanation about whats happening being a direct result of violence against black people is absoloutely daft. You dont seem to know much about the country at all. you dont speak like a South African at all. If you are, then you most likely have lived a pampered and sheltered life.

I was a police reservist for a couple of years from 2001 onwards in South Africa which I spent a great deal of time doing, while engaged in full time employment and working as a volunteer for a rescue organisation. I saw murders, rapes, theft, hijacking, etc, none of them were linked to apartheid.
Let me ask you why you are in the UK like me, instead of in South Africa seeing it for yourself. I left because I saw enough and I realised there is only so much one person can do.

Now I have the priviledge of sitting in a safe country behind a computer looking on saying everything will work out great like you do. Lets just say you are right and I am wrong? Then we will all be smiling in 2010, proud of South Africa. But if you are wrong? Then what? How many people could loose there lives or worse.

How are FIFA going to deal with the ANC politicising sport when they so clearly state that all sport should be non political.

Nobody on here has mentioned a thing about our sad state of telecommunications or power supply in SA, it’s not going to be funny when the lights go off.But i suppose if they are all day games should sort out that problem.

What about the pathetic state of power supply and telecommunications lets hope the lights dont go off.

Edwin you mention how well the 1994 elections went pity we can’t have the same poeple that organised that event organise the 2010 world cup, you know with affirmative action being the in thing and all.

regarding the 2010 ciup in SA, did you know that funds earmarked for the day to day running of hospitals budget has been drastically cut so that funds can be diverted to the 2010 campaign also in Durban householders have to pay levy on utility bills to pay for the 2010 circus of glorification of the ANC Comrades, it is disgusting, FIFA & Blatte couldn care less puts a terrible blob on what should be a happy event;

The SA people will have to pay to satisfy FIFA, hospitals & patients are already suffering & dying due lack of care & medicine,,we should all call for a boycott of the games in SA

regarding the 2010 ciup in SA, did you know that funds earmarked for the day to day running of hospitals budget has been drastically cut so that funds can be diverted to the 2010 campaign also in Durban householders have to pay levy on utility bills to pay for the 2010 circus of glorification of the ANC Comrades, it is disgusting, FIFA & Blatte couldn care less puts a terrible blob on what should be a happy event;

The SA people will have to pay to satisfy FIFA, hospitals & patients are already suffering & dying due lack of care & medicine,,we should all call for a boycott of the games in SA

Have almost forgotten about this blog! Can’t believe that some of you are still peddling untruths on here. Let me (again) please ask people who write about South Africa to do so as truthfully as possible. John Johansson states that there are (or were) no whites in SA soccer teams. You clearly have not watched SA soccer over the last few years. Ever heard of Mark Fish, Delron Buckley, Hans Vonk, Neil Tovey (who was our captain, nogal!), Emile Barron, etc? Jason Matthews questions whether I’m writing from the UK…sorry Jason, I love my country too much to be sitting in grey UK…; Hayden completely misses my point about the 1994 election: some people then said that the country was going up in flames and it did not, just as some people continue to say that 2010 in South Africa will be some kind of disaster. We’ve had several elections and other major international events since then so we know how to organise. Let me not give you the impression that there are no challenges, because there are. But at least we are trying to deal with it….

There are always apologist for the communist cause, well, to each his own, Edwin, the names you quote as players WHERE ARE THEY NOW are in the main coloured people & 1 was import from Holland, yes, we do watch bafana play & if there is 1 whitey in the team its plenty, others have observed this as well & is open to scrutiny .

The BBC,s panorama program showed us the inner workings of FIFA & the possible corruption, well that explains why SA was given the games , birds of a feather etc. compliments the corrupt & rotten regime in the once peacefull SA

If sensible we should boycott the SA games as punishment for the SA commy govt. blatant interference in SA sport …

John, there is clearly no point in arguing this matter with you and others who think like you, since (a) you are ideologically driven, which makes you blind to the facts and (b) you are simply ignorant of what’s happening. To say that the names I mention are “coloured” is complete ignorance. Whatever corruption there is in FIFA cannot be blamed on South Africa. By your logic the Germans, French, Americans etc who hosted the games are all corrupt. You are more than welcome to boycott 2010 in South Africa….your level of ignorance is simply not wanted or needed here.

Edwin; we note your comments, but very obvious you apologist for the Reds ruling SA, would adise any level hearded person reading this blogg to sensibly ignore Edwins Arrisons comments as he tries to justify the murder of hundreds of farmers & thousands of others of all colour?

Edwin, many criminals are today sitting in parliament representing the ANC, anyone visiting SA in 2010 do so at their own peril and should be encouraged to stay away & thereby shouw their abhorence of the SA govt. inspired/encouraged farm murder gangs, or would Edwin deny that farmers, the poeple that feed the black masses are systematically being exterminated

I am a South African citizen that has lived in this country all my life and I truly am in shock of the way people have blown things out of proportion to suit their cause! To say that it is probable that your wife and daughter would be raped in front of you is not only ridiculous, but slandorous in the vilest of manners!! Yes, rape and crime are an issue, but there is not a country in the world that can statistically say that it isn’t. Even one rape is a rape to many, and having worked extensively in rehabilitating prisoners who have commited serious offences behind bars, I’ve also discovered that there are an alarmingly increasing number of young white perpotrators of rape and murder- so please get your facts straight before you start pointing fingers. Secondly, if there is a problem with black on white crime, do not presume it’s caused by hatred and racism- it’s caused by people who have nothing and aren’t empowered enugh and educated enough to make changes the right way, it’s decades of frustration- Oh how quickly we expect black people to forgive and forget and recover from a system that was implimented to cause the kind of mental degradation it has resulted in today. these peoples humanity was deprived and distorted- how do you expect them to have turned out?

So your answer was to up and leave after having raped and pillaged as much as you possibly could, don’t expect sympathy from anyone. Good riddance-South Africa is a country of hope, and once all the faders have run to the hills it will be us- the ones that are willing to make changes by giving and actively making a difference every day will reap the reward of OUR country’s true potential, as will those who have shown enough faith in it and in us to invest in us through events such as the 2010WC. I emplore you not to show face when the tide is turned because South Africa is a happy place, and we’re working hard to keep itthat way.

If you are planning to visit S.A. for the 2010 World Cup ,here are some tips.

1)Make sure your life policies are up to date.
2)Bring your own body bag,
3)Make arrangements to fly your corpse home before you arrive.
4)Bring own AZT,there is a waiting list for rape victims.
5)Check with your GP about T.B. treatment packages.
6)Bring your own blood incase you need a transfusion.
7)Bring your own bullet proof jackets.
8)Bring lots of money,you are sure to be ripped off.