The 2010 World Cup is bringing jobs to South Africa, that’s for sure. Because South Africa is hosting the biggest sporting event on the globe, the country is benefiting from the construction of new stadiums, hotels and other structures, jobs are being created specifically for the tournament, and massive amounts of tourists will visit the country next year, bringing in revenue the likes of which South Africa has probably never seen.
This means great news for South Africa’s abysmal economy. During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the economy was boosted statewide in preparation for the games. Likewise, the 2008 Olympics in China created vast structures, such as the Water Cube, provided countless jobs for Chinese citizens, and, perhaps most importantly, offered the world a more positive view of the communist country.
Rail System and Infrastructure Improvements
Cities that have previously hosted global events are still benefiting from the prestige and recognition attained from being on the world stage. Although there have been concerns in the past year as to whether or not South Africa’s infrastructure could handle such a giant event, the nation’s tourism chiefs say Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium, the biggest stadium in the country after completion, is almost done and roads and transportation systems are being improved.
According to a TradeInvest South Africa report, it is estimated the World Cup will bring in over 20 billion additional rands (one U.S. dollar is roughly 8.5 rands today) and create over 100,000 jobs. The country is also building a sophisticated rapid rail system called the Gautrain that will run from Pretoria to Johannesburg to Tahmbo International Airport, with stops in between. On the official website for the system, the main objective listed is “enhancing and supporting economic growth in the Gauteng Province and generating employment.”
Tourism Boost in South Africa
Ten stadiums in nine cities will host World Cup matches. The elite teams in the world will play for the most prized trophy in all of sports, and with the teams come the fans. Thousands and thousands will come to watch, and South Africa is busy building stadiums, hotels, restaurants, and all they can to accommodate the masses.
As the country with the highest percentage of AIDS infected citizens in the world, there is some concern for the welfare of tourists. But these concerns can be turned into AIDS education and can offer solutions to help South Africa contain the deadly virus.
South Africa’s Diski Dance
Now, South Africa is hoping to not only impact the economy, but to leave their footprint on pop culture as well. The Times, a South African news agency, reports that the country’s tourism office is promoting a new dance called the “diski” and hopes it becomes the next Macarena, in a good way.
2010 World Cup Can Save AfricaThe country will run television ads featuring the diski, with ads also running around the world on such esteemed networks as CNN and BBC. Officials are hoping the dance becomes a craze and will be performed during next year’s World Cup.
South Africa has large shoes to fill after the success of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. If all goes well, South Africa can help convince FIFA and the world that the World Cup, and other events, can and should happen in Africa.
Most questioned the choice of South Africa as the host of the most watched and loved sporting event in the world, but the choice sends a message: Africa is no longer the forgotten continent. A great 2010 World Cup can open doors for all of Africa, bringing much needed infrastructure, tourism, and money to a continent that needs it more than any other.
Article Source : http://south-africa.suite101.com/article.cfm/world_cup_2010_in_south_africa
by : Katy Burtner
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