2010 Soccer World Cup – South Africa
74South Africa has been upgrading its infrastructure since winning the bid to host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. These upgrades includes its railway and public transport systems and a new high speed train between Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport - the Gautrain; upgrades to the international airport terminals and also to the smaller national airports to an estimated value of R5.6 million.
New stadiums have are being build and others upgraded. There will be 10 stadiums for the Soccer World Cup.
The 10 stadiums for the soccer world cup:
- Soccer City - Johannesburg
- Ellis Park - Johannesburg
- King's Park Stadium - Durban
- Free State Stadium - Bloemfontein
- Green Point Stadium - Cape Town
- Mbombela Stadium - Nelspruit
- Peter Mokaba Stadium - Polokwane or the old Pietersburg
- Nelson Mandela stadium - PE Metro
- Loftus Versfeld - Pretoria
- Royal Bafokeng - Rustenburg
Crime - how South Africa plans to keep you safe:
The South African government has promised that fans visiting South Africa during the Soccer World Cup will be safe. Plans include:
- Gathering intelligence with international agencies
- Securing all borders (land, sea and air)
- Route patrols - specifically those leading from airports into the cities
- Host cities are to be divided into sections by the SAPS (South African Police Service), with teams patrolling sections - focused on FIFA headquarters, hotels, other accommodation establishments, the stadiums, fan
- Technology will be installed into policing vehicles, helicopters
- A fleet of 40 helicopters will be used during the Soccer World Cup to patrol areas in and around the stadiums
- Boosting the number of Police officers in the SAPS
Airports:
There are a number of airports in South Africa, namely Cape Town, Alexander Bay, Bisho, Durban, East London, George, Phalaborwa, Pietersburg, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
Roads:
South Africa has about 7 200km of national roads (or highways) and over 50 000km of provincial roads. Be aware that hi-jacking is a common crime in South Africa and you should therefore always keep doors locked and never stop for anyone.
Health & Medical facilities
If you are traveling to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, comprehensive travel insurance is going to be 100% necessary. Private hospitals are widely available. A major health issue in South Africa is AIDS / HIV.
South Africa:
The democratic republic ofSouth Africa is situated at the southernmost tip of the continent of Africa and has a population of over 44 million. South Africa is partially surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and by the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Bordering countries are Namibia in the northwest, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique in the northeast as well as Swaziland. The Kingdom of Lesotho (small country) surrounded completely by South Africa.
The capital of South Africa is Pretoria. The main financial city is Johannesburg. Cape Town is the legislative capital The judical capital is in Bloemfontein.
English is the most widely spoken there are 11 official languages; these are Afrikaans, English, Swazi, Tsonga, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Tswana, Venda, Zulu and Xhosa.
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Comments
The stadiums are all almost done... whetever the current electricity shortage will be sorted, that is another story.
That's great to hear. This will be a great World Cup and hopefully South Africa will perform well. Does their national team automatically qualify since they are hosting or do they still have to play their way in?
I'm a bit hesitant to answer as South Africa has just crashed out of the African Cup... in the first round. Seems that the newly overpaid coach has not yet brought the SA national team up to par.
Do you have more news of the stadiums' progress?
South Africa still have to qualify even though they are the hosts. It used to be that the hosts automatically qualified (which i think is right as it adds to the atmosphere) but not anymore. I think the weather conditions will suit teams like England because it will be winter there and more like the conditions the english players are used to playing in.
My advice would also be to familiarise yourself with the travel risks coming to SA. Make informative decisions. Remember there are also places of accommodation for non-partying non-drinking soccer fans. Look on the net for sober accommodation.
Visit www.stay-southafrica.co.za for accommodation in South Africa.
Visit www.stay-southafrica.co.za for accommodation in South Africa.
As a medical practitioner who do i contact 2 get involve in emergency services?
kappa022 says:
2 years ago
I'm looking forward to the World Cup in South Africa but have heard rumors they may not have everything ready in time for the 2010 World Cup and could be forced to move it elsewhere at the last minute. Any idea on how ready S. Africa really is for this?