PROJECT 2010 - Preparing South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™

Project 2010 - A Twenty Ten Media and Marketing Initiative

PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD

Africa

Tournament boosts revival from civil war – 27/12/09

The arrival of the continent’s premier football tournament is a vote of confidence in a nation once seen as beyond hope but which is now courted by superpowers. Just seven years after the end of a civil war that raged for 27 years and claimed up to million lives while displacing four million people, Angola is booming. Even as the recession has badly affected the value of its key exports, oil and diamonds, economic growth for 2010 is predicted to exceed 8%. The Guardian reports that a comedown from the double-digit growth between 2004 and 2008 – last year Angola was one of the world’s fastest-growing economies – but an impressive rate for any country emerging from such a shadow. ’Angola sees itself as a regional superpower,’ said Alex Vines of Chatham House, the institute for the study of international affairs. ’The number of embassies opening in Luanda attests to its growing influence.’

Full report in The Guardian

2010 World Cup in capable hands – Mutola - 21/12/2009

With her wide experience of participating in global competitions, athletics legend Maria Mutola has given South Africa a big thumbs up to host a successful 2010 Fifa World Cup. ’There is no shred of doubt that South Africa will put on the greatest soccer show in the world next year,’ said the Mozambican , who is now based in Johannesburg. She said the stadiums are now ready, which is a clear indication that Africa is also capable of hosting major international competitions.

Full Sunday World report

Nigeria invited to football for hope festival - 20/12/2009

FIFA and streetfootballworld have announced Nigeria and 31 other delegations that will take part in the ’Football for Hope Festival 2010’, holding from June 28 – July 10, 2010 in South Africa. Search and Groom youth for development centre (an official part of the Football for Hope movement) will be selecting the Nigerian team to South Africa. Other countries that will be in attendance includes Host South Africa, Brazil, England, Germany, Argentina, Senegal, Ghana, Colombia, Australia, United States, an Israeli/Palestine joint team, France etc.

Full Vanguard report

Zimbabwe: SA orders a major clean-up ahead of WC – 14/12/2009

South Africa has told its neighbor, Zimbabwe, to speedily resolve its political crisis saying it would not allow the country to disturb the 2010 World Cup, notes an afrik.com report. There are growing fears that Zimbabwes economic and political crisis could impact negatively on the tournament and thus make the region volatile ahead of the global football fiesta. Jacob Zumas appointed three member facilitation comprising Charles Nqakula, Mac Maharaj and Zumas international relations advisor Lindiwe Zulu have told Zimbabwe principals that it is becoming impatient with their failure to put finality to the sticking points.

Full afrik.com report

Swaziland: Outcry over Zakumi tour – 13/12/2009

E1 million was spent by the Local 2010 Committee to bring over South Africas 2010 World Cup Mascot Zakumi to Swaziland. The Times reports that the famous mascot has been in the country twice - first to kick start the football Friday event in June that was aimed at increasing the 2010 World Cup hype in the country in August. It was back again last month in the count down to the Mini Social World Cup held at Mavuso Trade Fair Stadium two weeks ago. The Local World Cup Committee spent E1 425 000 to bring in Zakumi in the first visit in August and in the second visit the local office only facilitated his arrival and the costs were incurred by the trophy visit sponsors, Coca Cola.

Full report in The Times

Zimbabwe: ZTA warns against bogus WC tourism entities – 10/12/2009

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is warning the general public to guard against bogus tourism entities claiming to be co-ordinating destination marketing ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The tourism body said, ’In this regard the ZTA, as the sole legitimate destination marketer, wishes to advise the public to guard against such bogus entities masquerading as facilitators of national tourism activities.’ According to a report on the eTurboNews.com site, the tourism body also went further to identify such entities that were at the same time trying to hide their identity and core functions and agenda.

Full eTruboNews.com report

Gaddafi addresses 2010 spat – 24/11/2009

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has accepted an Arab League request to calm tension between Egypt and Algeria sparked by their 2010 World Cup play-off matches, notes a report on the News24 site. Egypt and Algeria have each accused the other of failing to protect their citizens and property from attacks by rival football fans. Cairo withdrew its ambassador to Algiers last week and Algeria has demanded an explanation from Cairo. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa called Gaddafi and asked him to intervene in his role as chair of the AU and drawing on ’the high, distinguished position that the leader enjoys’.

Full report on the News24 site

Botswana: 2010 WC fever strikes – 19/11/2009

From the start, South Africa has positioned the 2010 World Cup as an African event. One country that is taking its involvement seriously is Botswana. FIN24 reports that High Commissioner to Botswana Ngconde Balfour, who was part of the organising committee which won the bid to host, describes the country in which he is posted as ’very clued-up on the tournament and opportunities around it’. Tshidi Mahlangu, South African Airways Botswana country manager, pointed out that construction at Gaborone’s Seretse Khama Airport was being accelerated to accommodate the visitors expected due to the soccer spectacular.

Full FIN24 report

Nigeria: Kanu looks to quit post-2010 – 17/11/2009

Captain of the Super Eagles, Nwankwo Kanu has said that he will hang up his international boots after the 2010 World Cup. The Nigerian Tribune reports that the Portsmouth of England forward made this known immediately after the Nigerians booked a place at the finals of the 2010 mundial with a 3-2 victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Kasarani. ’I will quit after this World Cup. I cannot play when I am 50. I have reached the heights and my aim is to go to World Cup. I thank God that finally after all the fight, all the struggle, all the hard work, we are there,’ said the former Arsenal player.

Full Nigerian Tribune report

Partnerships vital for growth – 05/11/2009

The African tourism economy stood a good chance of growing and achieving its full potential if African countries work together, according to Tourism Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk ’I firmly believe that we have only scratched the surface of truly unlocking the benefits of tourism on our continent,’ he told a hospitality investment conference Africa in Johannesburg. Citing trade shows as an example, Van Schalkwyk said there was nothing preventing the continent’s tourism industries from working in partnership to showcase their tourism attractions. Business Day reports that the minister told conference delegates to use the 2010 World Cup to showcase what African countries could do.

Full Business Day report

Namibia: Calls for SA to ease border crossing restrictions – 03/11/2009

Visiting Namibia, South African President Jacob Zuma was told that progress was too slow when it comes to build new infrastructure links between the two neighbours and removing border crossing restrictions. Namibia fears for promised 2010 World Cup benefits, notes an Afrol News report. Zuma was welcomed in the best way by his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba, and the two immediately sat down to sign new accords that would deepen ties between the two countries, including increased trade and new infrastructure projects. The thorniest issue discussed during the meeting was that of the movement of tourists between South Africa and Namibia during the 2010 World Cup. Pohamba conceded that the benefits to South Africa’s neighbours during the tournament were hindered by restricted cross border movement.

Full Afrol News report

Nigeria: President rallies behind the Eagles - 28/10/2009

President Umaru Yar’Adua’s optimism that Nigeria will not only qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, despite its precarious situation in the qualifying series, but will one day win the most coveted prize in world football, is expected but can be realised only when all concerned play their roles properly. The Daily Champion reports that Yar’Adua said, while performing the symbolic unveiling and lifting of the FIFA World Cup trophy in Abuja recently, he looked forward to being in South Africa to support the Super Eagles. ’One day by the grace of God, the World Cup will come to Nigeria, if not for keeps, at least for a year,’ said Yar’Adua.

Full Daily Champion report

Namibia: Abedi Pele promotes trophy tour – 10/10/2009

Three times African Footballer of the Year, Ghanaian Pele arrives in Namibia Sunday to parade the 2010 African Nations Cup trophy in the North, exactly a month before the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy jets into Namibia. Pele, the Standard Bank ambassador for the African Nations Cup 2010 set for Angola, heads for the North where a hive of activities will be held following the bank’s eight-year deal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 45 year old, ranked the third best African Player of the Century after George Weah and Roger Millar was in Namibia in 2007 with the inaugural Trophy Tour of the Ghana Nations Cup where he visited seven countries.

Full Informante.web

Immigrants not a threat – 06/10/2009

The South African government is embarking upon a new policy of treating immigrants as a development opportunity rather than a threat. Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba outlined the new policy in Johannesburg at the regional launch of the United Nations Development Programme 2009 Human Development Report. The Cape Times reports that Gigaba said the Department of Home Affairs had taken three aspects of this policy shift to the cabinet to seek its approval. He said that, starting with the 2010 World Cup next year, Home Affairs would focus on how to use immigration to help development rather than treating it as a crime.

Full Cape Times report

Guinea: 2010 qualifier moved to Accra - 05/10/2009

Guinea’s 2010 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso on 11 October has been moved from Conakry and will be played in the Ghanaian capital Accra, notes a Peace FM report. The general secretary of the Guinea Football Federation (Fegafoot) Fode Capi Camara confirmed the change of venue and cited security concerns. FIFA and the continental body Caf have decided that Conakry is not safe to host the match because of the current political tension in Guinea. The move comes six days after more than 150 people were killed at the 28 September Stadium, where the game was due to be played, during a demonstration by opposition supporters against the ruling military regime.

Full Peace FM report

2010 boosts IT spending - 05/10/2009

Would we see a difference in the country’s economy if the information technology industry were to disappear? The answer seems to be yes, since the industry is growing, generates a substantial tax revenue for South Africa and creates jobs. The International Data Corporation’s director Mark Walker said growth in the IT industry is dynamic and will continue in an upward trajectory until after 2013. FIN24 reports that he said IT growth up to 2010 will be driven by initiatives arising from the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament. Up to 2012, the engine will be government infrastructure projects.

Full FIN24 report

Zimbabwe: Calls to improve service delivery - 28/09/2009

The Zimbabwe Council of Tourism wants the Government to improve service delivery at border posts ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The Zimabbwe Guardian reports that council president Emmanuel Fundira recenlty spoke of the of the urgent need to upgrade immigration services to allow fast clearance of visitors. ’We should introduce the latest technology at our border posts to increase efficiency,’ he said.’Computerisation of the systems has become critical.’ Zimbabwe is expected to host a spillover of visitors to South Africa during the 2010 World Cup.

Full report in The Zimbabwe Guardian

Local soccer ball ministry makes its way to East Africa – 28/09/2009

A ministry that sends soccer balls carrying a spiritual message throughout the world has gleaned some feedback from residents of Zimbabwe, East Africa, in a recent visit by Tatenda and Lucia Gunguwo of Zimbabwe, to Kansas City, where Moundville’s Mike Morris heard stories of their experiences with the soccer balls. Morris founded the ministry a few years ago, and in 2006 told the Daily Mail he had already distributed 5,000 of the balls himself and another 15,000 through the help of a friend. He said they are praying for 5 000 new balls to use to minister to their part of Africa during the World Cup in South Africa.

Full Daily Mail report

Zifa Begs hotels to slash rates ahead of COSAFA – 28/09/2009

The Zimbabwe Football Association has approached hotels which will accommodate teams to the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament next month to reduce their rates. Zifa has identified six hotels, three each in Bulawayo and Harare, which will accommodate the teams during the tournament which starts 17 October and ends on 1 November. A survey revealed that three star hotels in Bulawayo were charging between US$72 and US$85 for a single standard room including breakfast while a double standard room was pegged between US$85 and US$114.

Full Zimbabwe Telegraph report

Mozambique: Stadium won’t be ready for WC – 22/09/2009

Construction of Mozambique’s $60 million soccer stadium, earmarked for use as a training ground during the 2010 World Cup in neighboring South Africa, is behind schedule and may only be completed five months after the event. The stadium is now expected to be completed in December 2010, notes a Bloomberg report. The delay in the project, which is being financed by a loan from China, is because of a late start in construction and cost overruns. The Mozambican government was hoping that Portuguese- speaking teams playing in the world cup, including Brazil, would use the Maputo stadium for practices between games.

Full Bloomberg report

Cosatu calls for prostitution to be decriminalised - 14/09/2009

Cosatu has called for prostitution to be decriminalised and unionised in a draft document due to be discussed at the union’s 10th conference in Midrand on September 21, notes a Security.co.za report. The union even went so far as to say that sex work should be ’part of the broader campaign of job creation’. However, in the long run, Cosatu hopes sex work will die a natural death. Cosatu’s national conference on gender in June noted that sex work had a ’devastating impact’ on families and communities. It said sex work was on the increase owing to high ’unemployment and underemployment’ levels, and would become even worse because of the world economic recession and the 2010 World Cup.

Full Security.co.za report

Zimbabwe: World class security for 2010 - 12/09/2009

The Zimbabwe Indigenous National Security Association (ZINSA) says it has introduced a new training curriculum which is expected to equip their staff with skills and knowledge to ensure they provide world class security services to visitors expected to grace the Southern Region during the 2010 World Cup, notes a Newsnet report. Following concerns by potential visitors to the Southern African region for the soccer extravaganza on crime threats, ZINSA officials say they are in the process of upgrading their training methods so to prepare their staff for the challenges expected to come with managing the security of the multitudes expected to descend on Southern Africa next year.

Full Newsnet report

Angola: 2010 readiness under scrutiny – 08/09/2009

Angola’s readiness to host the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations will come under scrutiny on Wednesday. According to a BBC News report, the tournament is just four months away and intense preparations are continuing in the country. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will consider the plans at a meeting in Cairo. ’I am flying to Cairo, to meet my colleagues, receive the reports and then make an assessment,’ said South Africa’s Danny Jordaan. Jordaan, LOC CE for the 2010 World Cup, is a member of CAF’s Nations Cup committee as well. ’As yet, no decision has been taken that Angola is in danger,’ he said.

Full BBC News report

Zimbabwe: Locals eye 2010 role – 04/09/2009

Nearly 500 Zimbabweans are among more than 67 000 people from across the world who applied to work as volunteers during the soccer World Cup tournament in South Africa next year, FIFA said last week. ’There was a strong response from outside of South Africa with Nigeria producing the highest number of applications outside of the host country with 750 in total. The USA followed with 554 applications and Brazil was close behind with 489,’ the FIFA 2010 LOC said in a statement.

Full report in The Zimbabwean

Nigeria: Word of warning for fans - 02/09/2009

Ahead of Sunday’s 2010 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Tunisia in Abuja, FIFA has appealed to Nigerian fans to be orderly, urging them to respect every security arrangement made by local football authorities to ensure a hitch free contest. The Nigerian Tribune reports that FIFA Chief Security Officer in Nigeria, Chief Superintendent of Police Gideon Akinsola, made the appeal while restating the world football governing body’s crowd control guidelines to be observed in all its organised matches around the world. Akinsola reminded the fans that they are important stakeholders in Nigerian football in the country and, therefore, should strive to remain so, noting that they have a huge role to play in ensuring that FIFA’s expectations at match venues in the country are fully met.

Full Nigerian Tribune report

Zimbabwe: One of Africa’s best destinations - 31/08/2009

Hotel group, African Sun has said Zimbabwe remains one of the best tourist destinations in the region despite years of very little investment and an almost decade-long economic instability. The Herald reports that African Sun chief executive Shingi Munyeza last week said despite the current challenges, the country could profit immensely from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup. Munyeza said Zimbabwe’s strategic position in the region, its infrastructure, varied wildlife and well-maintained conservancies kept it head and shoulders above its regional peers. He said it was in this regard that concerted efforts should be made to vigorously promote the country to reap the full benefits of the football tournament to be hosted by South Africa.

Full report in The Herald

Angola: SA to lend a hand - 29/08/2009

South Africa has been asked by Angola, hosts of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, to provide logistical support and advice. The minister of sport and r ecreation, the Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, confirmed this on his return from a state visit to Angola with President Jacob Zuma. There were fears that the spectacle could be taken away from Angola after reports that they would not be ready in time, with SA rumoured to be the ideal replacement candidate. Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspectors will make the final decision in November on whether Angola will host the tournament (scheduled for January 2010).

Full Sunday Times report

Zimbabwe: $60m expansion on the cards - 27/08/2009

Africa Sun plans to spend $60m on hotel capacity expansion in light of the expected huge demand for accommodation when South Africa hosts the 2010 World Cup. The Herald reports that the capacity expansion initiative would raise the hospitality group’s capacity to 8 500 rooms by 2012 from the current 3 000 rooms. African Sun also recently indicated it would spend $15m on face-lifting its local hotels ahead of the soccer showpiece. African Sun CE Shingi Munyeza said 75% of the expansion would be in the region and the remainder in Zimbabwe.

Full report in The Herald

The 2010 RICA conundrum - 27/08/2009

Cellular operators do not seem to be clear on what information the estimated 450 000 tourists entering SA for 2010 World Cup will need to provide if they want to purchase prepaid SIM cards. Defence Web reports that the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA) requires people with SIM cards to register these, providing proof of residence and an identification document such as a passport or an ID book. The amended Act, which was published in January, defines an address as the place ’where the person usually resides’, or ’where the person is employed’, or ’where the business of the person is situated’.

Full Defence Web report

Uganda: 2010 malaria campaign launched – 27/08/2009

’Today marks another milestone as “United Against Malaria, “ a campaign to kick out malaria by 2010 is launched.’ These were the words of Ugandan Health Minister, Dr Steven Mallinga, during the official launch of the anti-malaria campaign this week. The campaign is a partnership of footballers, non-governmental organisations, foundations, governments and corporations who have joined forces ahead of the 2010 World Cup to unite in the fight against malaria through football. The Daily Monitor reports that youth groups and Fufa will hold matches around the country between October and November to show solidarity with the campaign.

Full Daily Monitor report