Here’s what you can expect when you step off the plane…in the year 2010…
Well, on the one hand, get used to the “vuvuzelas”; you’re going to hear a lot of them. Come to think of it, you might as well get one for yourself. As the old saying goes… “if you can’t beat ’em, you better join ’em.”
What is a Vuvuzela anyway? Roughly translated it means “noise maker”, which describes exactly what these elongated indigenous trumpets do. Recognized as a popular symbol of our football-mad culture, Nelson Mandela ordered hundreds of Vuvuzelas brought to Zurich in support of South Africa’s bid for the 2010 World Cup. a thousand wonders
Now that South Africa has the ball, what are we going to do with it?
To start with, President Thabo Mbeki plans to spend at least R100 billion in honor of the beautiful game. Thirteen stadiums have been proposed, with venues located in key cities across the country, five of which are under construction, another five under renovation and three more are almost ready.
Ensuring that transport is up to scratch, 700 dedicated World Cup buses are expected to operate between the host cities. At least 250 coaches, dedicated to the World Cup, will offer long-distance links between the venues. Additionally, special rail services are ready to transport fans to thirteen state-of-the-art stadiums across the country.
A quick profile of the top three host cities:
First stop! Jo’burg Soccer City
In all likelihood, their first World Cup destination will be Johannesburg, where the opening match will be played. The city of Johannesburg has already hosted several major sporting events. The Rugby World Cup final, played at Ellis Park and the African Cup of Nations final, played at Soccer City. You can expect modern places with all the trimmings.
The first matches will be played between these two world-class venues. The opening match at Soccer City, also known as the FNB Stadium, will mark the start of the tournament. The other venue is the 94,000-seat Ellis Park stadium, which is just a 15-minute walk from the city center.
Here’s a tip on where to settle in on the day the World Cup kicks off: FIFA’s headquarters will be located in the suburb of Sandton, with matches being played between the two venues, Ellis Park and Soccer City. It may be a good idea to find accommodation between the two stadiums, ie Sandton if possible, this will ensure you have convenient access to the venues.
Which city hosts the next game?
Although no one knows for sure at this stage, it is very likely that Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium will host the first and second round matches of the World Cup. Cape Town or simply the “beautiful city” is certainly a place that has it all. The city sports a vibrant array of beaches, mountains, vineyards, and a cosmopolitan vibe.
Newlands Stadium has been in existence since the mid-1880s and hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Its security, parking and administration capabilities have regularly proven worthy of many major sporting events.
The Newlands area is central to Cape Town’s best pubs, sports bars and restaurants. The stadium is literally on the tracks of a major brewery. Capetonians are known for their festive spirit and the atmosphere is expected to be anything but boring.
Finding a place to stay will not be a problem. Most areas are within 30 minutes of Newlands, including the airport. As mentioned above, the stadium is next to the railway tracks and directly opposite the railway station, so you can take a train from Cape Town Station to Newlands, which is only 8km away, in less of 20 minutes. Plus, you don’t have to drive after the holidays.
Durban will host the opening ceremony of the World Cup
Durban will host the opening ceremony in 2010 and Kings Park Stadium, which has won critical acclaim from visiting officials and the media, has been nominated as the venue for the semi-finals. The stadium is less than a kilometer from the Indian Ocean, allowing matches to be played in the luxury of warm Durban nights.
Kings Park Stadium is about a ten minute drive from the main hotels and the rail system is connected from the city center to the outlying residential areas.
Although Durban has been mentioned as the favorite host of the opening ceremony and the match, Johannesburg has received the same kind of attention. At this stage, there is stiff competition between the host cities, which is a good thing as it will ensure the best venue is chosen.
Get ready for a World Cup in Africa: Sunscreen, Passion, Vuvuzela…
As kick-off time approaches and South Africa prepares for a global sports festival of gargantuan proportions, the blast of the Vuvuzelas can almost be heard echoing through the air. 50,000 of them are now sold each month.
South Africa is a country in transformation and we have come a long way since the changes began. Preparations and renovations are already underway, ensuring that everything will run smoothly and be ready for 2010. Now, the only big question left to answer is… will you be?