Should South Africa be hosting World Cup 2010?

I read with interest Jon Qwelane’s article “Roll out Plan B, Mr Blatter” which is to be found on the News24 website. In it he calls upon FIFA president Sepp Blatter to use the alternative venue they have set aside for the 2010 World Cup, currently to be held in South Africa.

Qwelane sets out a compelling argument to back this call which includes, but is not limited to, the following :

The less than inspiring progress on building the venues and Gautrain, crime, xenophobia, and the billions being spent on the project.

If you have regard to the comments section of his article, he appears to receive a fair amount of backing albeit that this seems to be emanating mostly from his white readers. A couple of the black guys seemed to be of the view that while whites applaud rugby World Cups, they begrudge blacks the soccer World Cup.

On that point, guys, soccer is by far the most popular sport in the country in terms of all communities. Nobody would like to see South Africa lose the World Cup. That said the issues raised by Jon are logical and merit response.

In my mind the issues are the physical and financial as opposed to the psychological cost.

Let’s start with the latter. The mood of South Africa right now is one of doom and despair. The global economy is in crisis at present and economists are predicting recessions both here and abroad. Sport in general and our three majors in particular (soccer, rugby and cricket) are rallying points for our country.

They bring optimism, lift our spirits and cement nation building in a way that nothing else can match.

A World Cup would, without a question of a doubt, give South Africa a real boost of energy which quite frankly we all need right now. It’s something positive to look forward to, and is after all Africa’s first hosting of the biggest event on the planet.

I am, until I am shown reason to think otherwise, one million percent behind our efforts to go ahead.

Let’s look at the negatives:

Financial cost is not something that can be dealt with off the top of your head. The World Cup is a huge moneyspinner for the host nation. The cost of getting there is what drains an economy. At this point in time how much of that cost is already spent? By pulling out now, would it not cost us far more than finishing and recouping our investment by hosting the tournament? I leave that to the financial experts.

Please bear in mind that if the tournament is successful then there is no bigger shop window to sell South Africa than the World Cup. It dwarfs the Olympic Games.

In terms of where we are currently with our building plans and the Gautrain, I’ve been led to believe that we are on track and that this is not what is concerning FIFA or anyone else.

Xenophobia is a cause for concern. There are two areas that need addressing. Firstly educate our people to respect everyone. Not Africans, not Europeans — everyone. It’s called decency.

Secondly stop passing the buck by attributing this to criminals. This is primarily as a result of millions of exiles being foisted upon our poorest communities. Because we have not regulated this properly (or enforced the regulations), we have those least able to afford it competing for limited resources. Criminals and political opportunism are collateral issues which hang with the real cause.

Resolving the problems in Zimbabwe will relieve an enormous amount of pressure as well as attracting investment to this whole region. Delivery to those communities allied to a reduction of exiles through many returning home will produce remarkable results.

Crime is an issue which will benefit from the World Cup. The government will be forced to tighten things up dramatically which may give us a fabulous long-lasting gift from the tournament.

In my mind I believe we are capable of managing a wonderful World Cup that will boost our country enormously.

Roll on 2010!