South Africa2010: To Go, or To Watch on TV...

[TheMasterAtCornerKicks]

Here's where the rubber meets the road for WC2010 in SA. If it is indeed held in SA, I wouldn't attend a single match even if given free food, plane tickets, game tickets AND hotel accomodations. Why?? There's nothing to see in SA, (that I know of) and the state of the ecomony does not exactly scream "luxury". Being African-American, I agonized over whether to even post this, as I would love to one day see an African WC. But seeing as I would like to attend the 2010 WC, I have to be honest and say that I really feel they are not ready yet as major tourist destination. I mean, I know so little of Cape Town that it just conjures up images of Superman. And on top of that, It's just a little too close to Antarctica.

Sooo, the big question is, would YOU go to SA in 2010, or would you rather watch it on TV and wait to see where WC2014 is going to be held instead??....

[Asprilla9]

i would go, if i had the money. but i would stay in the cities and take the public transportation, and not go very far away from the city center. i would not rent a car or drive there ... b/c from my understanding, if you take a wrong turn in SA, you could end up in a different world. and that's a world neither you nor i want to be in my friend.

granted, every city in the world has the "if you take a wrong turn" rule (even those in America) ... but seriously, Johannesburg's outlying areas ain't nothin to play around with. that being said though i would still go.

[TheMasterAtCornerKicks]

i would go, if i had the money. but i would stay in the cities and take the public transportation, and not go very far away from the city center. i would not rent a car or drive there ... b/c from my understanding, if you take a wrong turn in SA, you could end up in a different world. and that's a world neither you nor i want to be in my friend.

granted, every city in the world has the "if you take a wrong turn" rule (even those in America) ... but seriously, Johannesburg's outlying areas ain't nothin to play around with. that being said though i would still go.


Then you should have voted "Yes"... The Question is not if you can afford to go would you go; it's if money was not a concern would you go, and you said yes...

Me, I've seen enough Hoods in East Oakland to not want to worry about making any wrong turns in a completely diffrent city or county; much less in a diffrent country AND continent...

[RichardL]

Here's where the rubber meets the road for WC2010 in SA. If it is indeed held in SA, I wouldn't attend a single match even if given free food, plane tickets, game tickets AND hotel accomodations. Why?? There's nothing to see in SA, (that I know of) and the state of the ecomony does not exactly scream "luxury".

I know so little of Cape Town that it just conjures up images of Superman. And on top of that, It's just a little too close to Antarctica.


you might think there's nothing to see in south africa, but have you tried to find out?

Why do people have this belief that because it's africa, it must therefore be just third world shanty town?

This is part of Cape Town's waterfront
http://www.go2africa.com/newsletter/africa-vacation-gallery/2005/november/cape-town-waterfront.jpg

this is Durban
http://www.madriver.com/users/rtw2vt/southafrica/slideshow/Durban2.jpg


And close to Antarctica? It's about as close as the bay area is to the north pole.

[Asprilla9]

Then you should have voted "Yes"... The Question is not if you can afford to go would you go; it's if money was not a concern would you go, and you said yes...

Me, I've seen enough Hoods in East Oakland to not want to worry about making any wrong turns in a completely diffrent city or county; much less in a diffrent country AND continent...i hadn't voted yet i forgot

[lnfected]

raccis people. " ugh oh i wont go, um no money, ya thats it"

[paterfiets]

I would go yes, I think its gonna be a great worldcup full of suprises. But instead of travelling around to different venues to see the matches I would pick a venue near the beach, make it a great holiday, do some sightseeing and visit the matches in that venue...

[Gary V]

There's nothing to see in SA, (that I know of) and the state of the ecomony does not exactly scream "luxury". ... I really feel they are not ready yet as major tourist destination. I mean, I know so little of Cape Town that it just conjures up images of Superman. And on top of that, It's just a little too close to Antarctica. Before you dismiss the place, you probably should learn a bit about it. RSA is the largest tourist destination in sub-Sahara Africa, possibly the whole continent. And yes, there is luxury - you can even get a luxury safari tour, eating gourmet food off china while watching the elephants go by.

[Ali_reza]

Here's where the rubber meets the road for WC2010 in SA. If it is indeed held in SA, I wouldn't attend a single match even if given free food, plane tickets, game tickets AND hotel accomodations. Why?? There's nothing to see in SA, (that I know of) and the state of the ecomony does not exactly scream "luxury". Being African-American, I agonized over whether to even post this, as I would love to one day see an African WC. But seeing as I would like to attend the 2010 WC, I have to be honest and say that I really feel they are not ready yet as major tourist destination. I mean, I know so little of Cape Town that it just conjures up images of Superman. And on top of that, It's just a little too close to Antarctica.

Sooo, the big question is, would YOU go to SA in 2010, or would you rather watch it on TV and wait to see where WC2014 is going to be held instead??....

I would definatley go ! Plus, i've heard it's a beautful country. Great beaches and fantastic Safari's to go.

Would the safari also be for free ? That'd be great.

[red & wite army]

Maybe it would help if some1 from South Africa actually answered...like me - from Cape Town.

Firstly, the place is not cheap, and although your dollars and pounds are much stronger, things are generally more expensive...especially when it comes to shopping..except property. Another thing is the crime. It is continuing to get worse and you will really need to watch you back. Unlike most european countries, walking through the city at night is a no-no. I fit into the wealthiest bracket in South Africa, and people are often getting held up with guns when they are walking their dogs or whatever in the neighborhood. I am not allowed to play footy in my garden without being watched..it is too dangerous. Just last week, my house was broken into and items were stolen. And I even live in one or if no the safest areas in Cape Town...and JoBurg has worse crime! I'm also not sure what they are going to do about transport?! At the moment, trains are too dangerous to travel on, and taxis are out of the question...over-crowded and muuuuch to dangerous.

On the positive side, we do live in a beautiful country. There is lots to do for a tourist, and for a tourist, with our national parks with wild animals and diverse cultures, you would love it. We are on the same latitude as Buenos Aires, where i have just been for 2 weeks. The weather in the summer is generally warm, like 27 degrees celcius, while in the winter, now, the time you would be here for the WC is is cooler. The temp will probably be around 20 degrees celcius and it can be as warm as 28 or so.

[Dragonlord]

I was in japan for 2002, in germany 2006 and i fully intend to be in africa for 2010. I won't take that back even if they move the tourney to USA or antartica...i will be there...football is my religion and the WC is my Mecca....

That being said, the general feeling i get is that i will have to choose one city from the start and 'stick' with it....as there seem to be no methods of safe transport atm. that really sucks because one of the best experiences in the WC for me was riding the trains and doing some major tequila and singing!

It also sucks that i won't be going out as much, i think i generaly returned tomy hotel around 4-6am in germany and japan, now with the crime that's like asking to get killed...really a shame.

SA should ask all the qualifying countries to lend them soldiers or police or something.

[red & wite army]

SA should ask all the qualifying countries to lend them soldiers or police or something.

I don't think that would help at all...if anything, it would probably make it worse with all the corrupt police. I think it would be safe to go to the matches, but socalising by walking around the streets afterwards is out of the question atm.

[Douai]

you might think there's nothing to see in south africa, but have you tried to find out?

Why do people have this belief that because it's africa, it must therefore be just third world shanty town?

This is part of Cape Town's waterfront
http://www.go2africa.com/newsletter/africa-vacation-gallery/2005/november/cape-town-waterfront.jpg

this is Durban
http://www.madriver.com/users/rtw2vt/southafrica/slideshow/Durban2.jpg


And close to Antarctica? It's about as close as the bay area is to the north pole.
Beautiful pictures.I never knew parts of SA were that nice looking.

[The Wisdom Cube]

Check out this thread (especially Thomas Flannigan's excellent posts) for further info on the pros and cons of South Africa:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374661

I am planning on attending, and looking forward to it, but it really tells you a lot about FIFA that they would put the tournament in a place where it is apparently downright unsafe to travel on the trains or walk anywhere at night.

[Jay510]

Beautiful pictures.I never knew parts of SA were that nice looking.


no wonder Chappelle disappeared to Durban. Nice beaches, easy to get crack etc....

Considering S. Africa is the only non 3rd world country in Africa, it has a chance to impress if it finish on schedule. And they'll want to to break down the stereotypes we are hearing around here

[Asprilla9]

And they'll want to to break down the stereotypes we are hearing around heredude, these aren't stereotypes. the guy from Cape Town 5 posts earlier just said:

-- walking through the city at night is a no-no
-- I am not allowed to play footy in my garden without being watched..it is too dangerous
-- trains are too dangerous to travel on, and taxis are out of the question
-- socalising by walking around the streets afterwards is out of the question


and then he said Johannesburg is WORSE.

i don't know what makes you or anyone else think this country is a suitable venue to stage a WC. the guy friggin said you can't go out after the matches!! although on one hand I would love to see the newest UFC fighting matchup: English hooligans vs. the South African crimelords .... this is absolute insanity holding a WC in RSA.

again ... these are not stereotypes, this was straight from a South African resident.

[red & wite army]

again ... these are not stereotypes, this was straight from a South African resident.

Yeah, I am not trying to be negative, it is just a fact. My sister was suntanning in the privacy of our garden, and we see this dodgy guy peeping over the wall...nevermind the fact that my neighbour's gardner was watching my mom hang up the washing. My granmother's neighbour's house was broken into this week and she woke up to a man in her house. It is just really dangerous everywhere nowadays...and it has been for years.

[arigato]

no wonder Chappelle disappeared to Durban. Nice beaches, easy to get crack etc....


Thats rediculous. Your listening to people who have no idea what Dave does. I just saw him last night on Bravo talking about how the media was saying that he was doing crack and starting all kinds of rumors which also drove him further away from the spot light. Unless you have a quote where Dave admits he does crack dont believe it. After all, Dave would probably be the first person to tell you he did crack in S. Africa.

[Ali_reza]

Yeah, I am not trying to be negative, it is just a fact. My sister was suntanning in the privacy of our garden, and we see this dodgy guy peeping over the wall...nevermind the fact that my neighbour's gardner was watching my mom hang up the washing. My granmother's neighbour's house was broken into this week and she woke up to a man in her house. It is just really dangerous everywhere nowadays...and it has been for years.

Thanks for the info. I've changed my mind. I'm not going even with free everything.

Fifa sucks, and it's not new.

[red & wite army]

Thanks for the info. I've changed my mind. I'm not going even with free everything.

Fifa sucks, and it's not new.

Well I'm not saying that you wouldn't have a good time, I'm just saying that you would need to be ultra careful which may restrict you. I think that South Africa may be a nice place to visit, but not during the WC. I would wait to go to another WC. TBH, Egypt would have been really cool, but their stadiums and stuff was not up to standard. I think thr reason we got it was because of Mandela and his persuasion:rolleyes: