As South Africa readies for the 2010 World Cup - spending nearly $2 billion on the preparations - some critics are speaking out against the spending decisions. According ot a Nyu News report, those funds could be better used to further AIDS prevention and research, they say. The country’s finance minister, Trevor Manuel, announced the country would allocate $1.9 billion dollars to the completion of 10 stadiums by the end of this year. He added that the government would also set up a grant to assist the host cities for this year’s Confederation Cup as well as the World Cup. But opponents of the spending protest that some of South Africa’s problems deserve more funds than soccer.
It’s time to get on the 2010 bandwagon – 28/03/2009
The 2010 World Cup is right around the corner, so to speak, but Swaziland has not been seen active enough in ensuring that the country maximises the benefits of being in close proximity to the host country. The Swazi Obsever reports that in 2007 when the 2010 Technical Committee was appointed, the main focus was on trying to get the national team, Sihlangu, to qualify. However, since that goal has not been realised, only now are efforts being intensified to shift the focus to other areas, which should have been given priority right from the beginning.
The Gauteng taxi association behind this week’s upheavals in Johannesburg remains adamant that it will not participate in the negotiations over the new bus rapid transport system (BRT), which have been under way for two years. But the city has slammed opposition to the BRT, which it says, comes from a minority of the region’s taxi operatives. According to a Mail & Guardian Online report, responding to fears that the taxi industry was threatening to disrupt the 2010 World Cup, chairman of the United Taxi Association Forum. Ralph Jones, said taxi drivers had been integral to the cricket, rugby and soccer world events held in South Africa in the past. ’Why do they want to throw us out now? Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza (members of the 2010 LOC) need to come to the party and consult us. They cannot wish us away.’
The Gauteng tourism industry is undergoing a major upgrade as the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) joins its partners in assisting tour operators across the province. Bizcommunity.com reports that together with Wits University, the GTA is offering a series of lectures designed to upgrade the skills and knowledge of tour guides, ensuring further growth as well as responsible and sustainable tourism. Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province, but it is no secret that it is the country’s largest contributor towards the national GDP. Being a top contender for attracting tourists is one of the province’s lesser-known successes. As 2010 draws near, Gauteng is getting ready to receive the influx of visitors to the country.
Hyundai sees football sponsorships as a core element of its marketing strategy and as an efficient way to communicate with customers by sharing their passion for football and building an emotional connection. Through its football sponsorship, Hyundai aims to position itself as a brand bringing the excitement of the world’s greatest game to football fans all over the world. According to a SA Men report, Hyundai remains deeply committed to supporting and furthering the development of the beautiful game. Ground transportation is critical to the successful staging of an international event like the 2010 World Cup. Without a large fleet of modern vehicles that offer reliability, comfort and safety, the smooth operation of such mammoth scale event is unimaginable.
Taxi operators across South Africa are still up in arms against the soon-to-be-adopted Bus Rapid Transit. The taxi industry feels that the BRT system, which is expected to be an integrated system to accommodate visitors to the 2010 World Cup and beyond, will threaten their livelihood. According to a report on the iafrica.com site, the BRT is aimed at upgrading South Africa’s public transport. It will feature dedicated and segregated bus-only lanes and safe, weather-protected bus stations equipped to deal with disabled passengers. It also has the added advantage of being easier and faster to build than a light rail transport system.
2010 accommodation under the spotlight - 12/03/2009
FIFA’s first-time decision to allow non-hotel accommodation facilities to be made available during the 2010 world cup has prompted many South Africans to consider renting out their homes in an effort to cash in on the expected 500 000 visitors. This unique opportunity to make money does not, however, come without certain risks and proprietors-to-be should be mindful of these. Insurance Gateway reports that with hospitality being an integral 2010 industry, accommodation, transportation and tourism services have benefited from an increased focus. Many of the larger hotel groups have undergone anticipatory ’facelifts’, road and transportation infrastructures have received large upgrades and tourist packages extended to include a more comprehensive range of facilities. ’2010 income opportunities being offered to ordinary South Africans has, of course, sparked great interest,’ says Helen Szemerei, director of insurance services at the IntegriSure Insurance Group of companies. ’But the need to conduct any form of related private business responsibly cannot be over-emphasised.’
Shortage of engineers a cause for concern - 11/03/2009
While progress had been made in a number of areas in the South African engineering profession, a number of challenges also remained, with South Africa’s ratio of engineering professionals to citizens remaining much lower than that of other countries. A newly released research report entitled ’Engineers in a developing country: the profession and education of engineering professionals in South Africa’, by authors Renétte du Toit and Joan Roodt, highlighted that South Africa had only 473 engineers for every one-million citizens. Engineering News reports that this was in comparison with other FIFA World Cup hosting countries, like Japan which has 3 306 engineers for every one-million citizens, the report, published by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) showed.
With thousands of television cameras and three million pairs of eyes focused on Africa, the 2010 World Cup will offer a unique opportunity to change the image and perception of the continent internationally. Bizcommunity.com reports that South African President Kgalema Motlanthe highlighted this in his State of the Nation address earlier this year, saying the true legacy of the World Cup ’will be in our ability to showcase South African and African hospitality and humanity - to change once and for all perceptions of our country and our continent among the peoples of the world’.
The LOC has come under fire over the last few days for failing to promote the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup effectively enough. This is after the normally mild-mannered Jerome Valcke lashed out at the lack of signage for the Confederations Cup, at a press conference in Johannesburg last week. According to a Shine 2010 report, LOC marketing chief, Derek Carstens, argues that this all just a matter of timing, with Confederations Cup marketing campaigns planned to become more visible towards the end of the month when the impact will be strongest. ’The question is do you want to create a good impact at the right time or just to whittle your budget and have a diluted impact over an extended period of time. I am more in favour of the former,’ he said. But is advertising the real issue here?
Beitbridge Border Post is the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa with a huge traffic volume, both human and vehicular, passing through everyday. It is estimated that about 10 000 commercial traffic passes through it every month. The Sunday Mail reports that with the volume of human traffic that passes through the border post, demand for ablution facilities is also very high. With the 2010 World Cup around the corner, one would expect serious facelifts to be taking place at Beitbridge town and the border post itself as the country spruces up its image in anticipation of visitors that will move between Zimbabwe and South Africa for the tournament. Sadly, the country’s dreams of salvaging some spin-offs from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup seem to be shattered as infrastructure at the town and at the border post is in a deplorable state.
Plastic money critical for tourism sector - 07/03/2009
International credit cards are critical in capturing revenues from tourists and the country must make elaborate measures to restore the system, according to Zimbabwe Council of Tourism president Emmanuel Fundira. Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Fundira said tourists use plastic money in 90% of their transactions ’as they are secure and dependable’, indicating that there is a positive correlation between the use of international credit cards and revenue generation. The country is currently making efforts to strategically position itself in order to benefit from the human traffic that is expected in the region for the 2010 World Cup.
Laying floors and making chemical cleaning products is not glamorous, but it is proving to be profitable for Accéntuate. Some construction supply companies are starting to struggle in the slowing economy, but Accéntuate has yet to experience a tapering off of demand for vinyl and wooden floors. The Financial Mail reports that the Alberton-based group joined the AltX in November 2006 and has made a habit of not disappointing the market. But as difficult as it was, Accéntuate still had a lot going for it. The build-up to the 2010 World Cup and government’s refurbishing of state buildings have resulted in Accéntuate laying floors in stadiums, hospitals, schools, shopping malls and universities.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) says that the City’s investment into public environment upgrades in the inner city is paying off, and acts as a platform for significant private sector investment in the central business district (CBD). Engineering News reports that the transformation of the Ellis Park stadium and the surrounding precinct in the Johannesburg inner city will be ready for the Confederations Cup kick off in June this year. The stadium itself was to be completed by the end of February, and the stadium surrounds are also experiencing a major overhaul. This work falls under the auspices of the JDA.
SA looks to put its best foot forward - 05/03/2009
With the Confederations Cup almost on us and the 2010 World Cup just around the corner, South Africa is looking to put its best foot forward when it comes to tourism.
Especially in light of the massive increase in revenue the country derives from the sector. ITWeb reports that in 2007 the country received over $8 billion in income from foreign tourists. According to the third annual Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, released by the World Economic Forum, the country isn’t doing too badly in many areas. But there are some significant hurdles to overcome. Out of the 133 countries surveyed, South Africa comes in 61st and is one of only two Sub-Saharan African countries (Mauritius is the other) in the top half of the overall index.
There is good news coming from MATCH Events, the logistics company engaged by FIFA to co-ordinate activities of the 2010 World Cup. Malawi has been challenged to come up with offers that if convincing, could see her accommodating some of the 50 000 plus delegates to the first world football feast on African soil. Whether due to lack of understanding or mere negligence, Malawi never initiated any serious preparatory projects to cash in on the World Cup as its neighbours and cousins in the region have done. The Daily Times reports that this could be due to lack of understanding on what kind of business opportunities the soccer feast brings, otherwise, by now we would have improved many things in anticipation of such business from the 2010 World Cup.
Steel construction industry remains active - 28/02/2009
The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) executive director Hennie de Clercq says that although the current economic climate is characterised by lower prices and slumping demand, the South African steel construction industry remains active. Engineering News notes that De Clercq reports that Eskom will be using 800 000 t of steel for a number of projects over the next decade. ’This is a staggering amount of steel which will provide work for the larger companies and some of the smaller companies for a number of years,’ he says. Meanwhile, the stadiums under construction for the 2010 World Cup, which required significant amounts of structural steel, are moving towards completion.
The shortage of building materials such as cement, steel and electricity in early 2008 hampered commercial and government spending on building projects. Moneyweb reports that two years ago the South African building industry was the forerunner of our booming economy. The residential market was flourishing, government expenditure on long awaited infrastructure development was flying and plans to get SA 2010 ready were in full swing. The building boom was so exciting and so lucrative that many smaller South African companies with little building experience filled the demand gap for expertise and raw materials. Then demand in the construction industry slowed dramatically in 2008. The steady rise in interest rates and tightening of credit availability dampened residential demand somewhat.
South Africans ’shouldn’t be surprised’ if the R25-billion Gautrain project is not ready in time for the start of 2010 World Cup, which is due to kick off in June next year, Murray & Roberts (M&R) CEO Brian Bruce said. Speaking to analysts in Johannesburg, Bruce repeated the group’s oft-stated position that it had never been contracted to complete the project in time for the international football showcase. He did hint to the fact that there were still discussions around the possibility of completing the project for the tournament, but said he did not want to go into the details. He stressed, though, that the project was proceeding well operationally and argued that, once commissioned, it would ’change the way of life of people of this city’.
The 2010 World Cup is the most watched sports event in the world, and is a prime opportunity for every South African marketer to get their brand message out there.
Bizcommunity.com reports that In 2006 World Cup Germany yielded a cumulative worldwide audience of 26.29 billion people over the 64 games played. Now, only 17 months from the opening kick off, South Africa is at the forefront of global attention. There is no question of the potential the event holds in light of business opportunities and economic development, leading up to, during and beyond 2010. And yet very few organisations have a clear idea how to make their voice heard amid the clamour and net their share of sports-fan spend. Many organisations hoping to attract the massive tourism spin-off expected from World Cup travellers are at the mercy of international giants who have put down billions for the rights to a big slice of the pie.
South Africa&esquo;s been a solid place for property investment since the 1994 elections. But, is this still true in light of the global instability? Well, let&esquo;s look at the positives and the negatives, and see why SA&esquo;s crucially positioned in the property investment arena. In 18 months, the biggest sporting event in the world will be hosted here in South Africa. According to property expert, Gert Coetzee, preparations for the 2010 World Cup have already transformed the infrastructure of the cities where games will be played. Properties around these stadiums will see their value increase. A Private Property report notes that these include Soccer City and Ellis Park in Johannesburg, King&esquo;s Park in Durban, Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
It&esquo;s as if someone was throwing a party at your house, but you can&esquo;t attend - FIFA&esquo;s World Cup entourage has arrived in South Africa and is running the show. The tickets for the 2010 World Cup go on sale today although many football lovers are still waiting for their Confederations Cup tickets. According to a Mail & Guardian Online report, this has sparked questions about the efficiency of the ticket system for the two tournaments. A substantial number of eager football fans who applied for Confederations Cup tickets when they went on sale in November last year have not heard whether their applications have been successful. As things stand, they fear losing out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch a World Cup finals tournament.
Lounging peacefully on the terrace, watching the elephants, leopards and antelopes gather at the watering hole. According to a report on the iafrica.com site, that’s how hundreds of football fans will relax in South Africa’s Kruger National Park on ’soccer safaris’, after taking in 2010 World Cup matches in the nearby city of Nelspruit. With 100 000 people, Nelspruit is among the smaller of the host cities and doesn’t have enough accommodation for the fans expected to arrive here in June 2010. So organisers are tapping resources in the tourist magnet of Kruger game park, just a two-hour drive away.
The eThekwini municipality’s environmental management department, in partnership with the Wildlands Conservation Trust, Durban Solid Waste (DSW) and local communities, has launched a pilot project to plant 62 500 indigenous trees as part of its R21,5-million Greening Durban 2010 programme. Engineering News reports that the project is being funded jointly by the eThekwini municipality and the Danish government. The eThekwini municipality has committed itself to hosting a climate-neutral 2010 World Cup.
2010 bus contracts under the spotlight - 13/02//2009
At least 143 buses of the expected 2 000 buses government aims to procure for projects around the 2010 World Cup will not be assembled in South Africa - this while the local automotive industry struggles to counter falling sales and rising unemployment. Engineering News reports that It is anticipated that this number could rise once Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town announce their winning BRT bidders. Further, government also still needs to release the names of those bus suppliers that will be contracted to provide vehicles specifically for the international football tournament.
South Africa is under the world microscope and the pressure within the borders to perform is reaching new heights. Will they, or won’t they? That is the anxiously asked question on everybody’s lips. It is clear to each and every South African and SA business that the benefits of the 2010 World Cup goes beyond the two weeks and strategies have to be set in place to sustain the efforts that are going into enhancing infrastructures of transport, tourism and security. According to a Bizcommunity.com report, immaculate attention to detail is needed to ensure that everything is spot on for all the different markets that will be coming to the country - football teams, coaches, sponsors, media, fans and supporters - local and international.
Peter Hurst, Head of International Trade at Wesgro, has just returned from seven years in the United Kingdom where he was the South Africa Specialist for the last two years at UK Trade & Investment. Bizcommunity.com reports that among other pointed observations, his speech highlighted the dangers of focusing too narrow-mindedly on the 2010 World Cup. ’The kinds of people who are going to come to the World Cup are business leaders - MDs, CEOs. Their wives have looked at the value of their insurance policies and said, ’Sure Honey, off you go’,’ said Hurst, making light of the over-hyped perception that South Africa is crime-ridden. ’These guys have probably never been here before. But they’re going to get to Cape Town and see this beautiful place, the people, the potential... And then they’re going to look at our businesses and say, ’You guys are asleep. I’ll take that bit of business, thank you very much.’ 2010 could be a knife in the back.’
Sleaze and anger as Africa heads for first World Cup – 01/02/2009
In fewer than 500 days, football’s greatest prize comes to the continent at a cost of £800m. Little of that investment will benefit workers on breadline wages or communities being evicted from their homes. Now allegations of corruption and even murder loom over next year’s contest Stephen Maseko’s mudbrick house in Mbombela has no electricity or running water, but it does have a room with a view. In the distance, a multicoloured structure sits perched in the tropical greenery like a giant trampoline. Without a trace of affection, Maseko calls it the ’playground’. The Guardian reports that Mbombela Stadium, near Nelspruit, will be ready and bristling with 21st-century technology in good time for the 2010 World Cup. Last week posters and logos for the tournament were unveiled across the country as organisers launched a 500-day countdown to the first time the tournament has been staged in Africa.
’Couchsurfers’ set their sights on 2010 – 26/01/2009
Football fans are often glued to their couch - and the common sofa is proving the ticket for many who are broke or seeking a truly South African taste of soccer fever during the 2010 World Cup. Seasoned ’couchsurfers’ are looking to the internet to help them combine a trip to Africa with the world’s biggest football event by securing a local - and free - couch to crash on. According to a report on the iafrica.com site, Anselmo Zacarias Portes, a 29-year-old marketing analyst from Sao Paulo, has already secured his couch for Africa’s first World Cup with a couple from Cape Town he once hosted back in Brazil. A few hundred couchsurfers should take a bit of pressure off FIFA, which is looking to ensure 55 000 rooms are available every night during the event.
Tension between the City of Johannesburg and the outdoor advertising industry is brewing as the reality of newly introduced by laws hits home. The Financial Mail reports that the city introduced new advertising signs and hoarding by laws last year that outlaw certain types of billboards, outdoor signs, copy and innovations such as gantries - framework s with advertising on them that can be put across a bridge. The 2010 advertising by laws tighten the noose further. They prohibit advertising by non event sponsors in demarcated areas such as airports, train stations, stadiums and all routes to and from certain hospitality sites.
