The African Expat

The year has arrived! 2010 is supposed to be South Africa’s year of crowning glory, the country is after all hosting what is considered in most circles as the greatest show on earth – the Soccer World Cup. It is the first time ever that the beautiful game will be showcased on African soil at such a high level and the whole country, and indeed the whole of Africa is united behind making it a success. Everywhere I went during my vacation in South Africa, people were talking about the World Cup 2010, if you ask any South African right now about the prospects for the South African economy invariably he/she will somehow tie the economic fortunes of South Africa in 2010 to the hosting of the World Cup.

Roads are being widened or repaired, hotels are being built or revamped, messages on advertising billboards are mostly related to the World Cup showpiece, street vendors have already begun selling World Cup trinkets and the stadia are well on their way to being completed in time for June 2010. Over the past two years, there were doubts that South Africa would be ready to host the tournament but having travelled around the country in January 2010 and seen what I have seen thus far, I can safely say that I believe that it will be a huge success. Do not get me wrong, I am not anywhere near an expert when it comes to predicting which sporting tournament will be a success or not, but one just gets a good feeling from the positive energy that is being displayed by the country as a whole towards this all important event.

The one thing though that football fans visiting South Africa for the event will need to consider carefully is that South Africa is actually a very large country, as an example the distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town is some 1,200 kms and there are no high speed trains between the 2 major cities. The quickest way to get from Johannesburg to Cape Town would be plane and that is a 2 hour journey. A drive between the 2 cities will take you at least 12 hours (without too many pit stops). The other cities such as Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, although not as far from Johannesburg are still quite some distance for a travelling fan on a budget. So plan your itinerary for the event carefully and make sure that there is adequate transport wherever you decide to stay within the country.