SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY BERN

2010 WORLD CUP – MIRACLE IN CAPE TOWN

 I thought, whilst fresh in my mind, I would like to verbalise the extraordinary “miracle” period of grace the 2010 brought to Cape Town and environs.

 It was no secret that to hundreds and thousands of Capetonians the news that South Africa had been awarded the World Cup 2010 event was met with major concerns and much scepticism as to the ability to deliver.

 The proposed building and location of the multi-billion rand Green Point stadium became a political football in itself.

 Elsewhere in South Africa there were similar grave misgivings as, one by one, the new stadia and transport upgrades ran into problems and overran budgets.

 However by Xmas 2009, FIFA expressed themselves “satisfied” that everything was on track and we sat back and awaited, still with big reserves of doubt, the event. In South Africa, soccer (football) is very much a sport followed by the African members of the communities, Rugby being by far the game with the “white” support base.

 I was overseas the last 3 months prior to the opening and even in the overseas press one picked up concerns.  None of the FIFA countries had taken up their full quota of tickets etc etc. Who was going to fill the costly seats?

 My  friend and ex-Boss wrote me in great excitement to tell me how “beautiful” Cape Town was looking and, as for the newly completed Cape Town airport , that was becoming a local “outing” for families to visit!!!

 On the 30^th May I flew back into Cape Town and saw for myself the new airport at International Arrivals.  Very impressive.....

10 days later, my son and son-in-law flew in to attend 4 of the opening games – 3 in Cape Town and 1 in Durban.  They were blown away by the efficiency shown at the airport with the issuing of the tickets.

 The Games were on and everything and everybody clicked into gear like someone had turned on a switch.

 The little mostly unused Scarborough Hall was set up with 4 large screens, a mini bar and food outlet so that residents could experience their own Fan Park.  This enterprising act in itself was a small miracle for Scarborough.  Television and radio reception is a huge problem.  People got to meet each other, talk to each other. Dogs, children, parents, loners all converged under one roof to enjoy and support their teams.  Within days, people were overheard saying “we need this togetherness and somehow something must continue after the World Cup is over”...

Meanwhile, in Cape Town itself the bigger miracle was taking place.  Despite the bitterly cold (and wet) conditions surrounding  the opening couple of games, the suburbs of Cape Town emptied out and converged on the city.  The trains were packed to capacity with many commuters admitting that this was the first time they had been on a train because of the “unsafe” reputation public transport has enjoyed for the past 15 years or more. The special bus shuttles experienced similar capacity usage.

 The Fan Park set up on the Grand Parade, under the watchful eyes of the Old Town Hall (all cleaned up) and Table Mountain looming behind, was packed to capacity on game days and so efficiently run and free to all.

The Fan “Walk” – a 2km walk from the Cape Town Railway Station to the Green Point stadium and V & A waterfront was something else.  “You HAVE to do it” was the message resounding and repeating over telephone lines, SMS and other communication media.

I did it twice – once on the worst weather night but who cared, I had a ticket to the game... That evening we came in on the UCT shuttle which offloaded us opposite the Civic Centre.  Immediately we were caught up in the “gees” – the spirit that was the “miracle”.  Everyone was happy, talking to strangers, hundreds of volunteers were on hand to guide, answer questions, not to mention the patient, ever vigilant police personnel and security officials in evidence everywhere.

 Once we joined the main crowds pouring out of CT  station it was like an ever widening river of humanity on the move through town to Green Point.  Street entertainment, vendors brought a vibe second to none. Pavement cafes, the inviting lights and music emanating from the Bars and Restaurants drew one in for a brief fill-up en route.

Eventually one reached the perimeter of the magnificent stadium glowing with light like a massive Japanese lantern.  There one stood in queues for the security checks, deftly handled by members of the police.  It turned out 1 hour earlier the Security staff had walked out on strike but the takeover by the police was so smooth, no one realised anything untoward had taken place!!!

Such was the organisation behind the scenes.  Well done....

The stadium itself – magnificent.  LOTS OF STEPS.  I presume there must be “lift” facilities but I did the major staircase climb to the top stand – under the roof.  This proved to be a blessing as the rain came pelting down in the second half..... Not that this fact had a single person running for cover.  66 000 people loving and enjoying every second and most of them coming from the South African “white” sector NOT expected to support the games!!. Vuvuzelas blaring out their dronelike noise somehow did not annoy.  I sipped at a Budweiser beer throughout the game and quite enjoyed it – another first...

 After the final whistle blew and we left the stadium, we again joined the happy crowd as they made their way back to the public transport which faithfully and safely took us back home.

On the last Saturday there was a game played in Cape Town, Walter and I caught the train  from Kalk Bay station – another experience.  The game was a 16.30 kick-off so we left at about 1.00.  Already standing on the station were passengers dressed up in colourful wigs, with flags of their team.  We got a seat easily as the train had started its journey in Fish Hoek BUT by 3 stations later, there wasn’t  a seat to be had and by the time the train left Retreat there wasn’t even standing room!

 We waved and yelled at all the crowds waiting in vain at all the 9 stations  en route to Cape Town.  The trains were running at 20 minute intervals so hopefully ticket holders made it to the game – Germany & Uruguay.

This time there were hordes and hordes of people, mostly coming, like us, to experience the Fan Walk – the word had spread.  There were old people, mothers with pushchairs – so many that the walking pace became little more than a shuffle forward and at times a complete stand still!    But what a vibe.  We were walking next to ex-Springbok rugby captain Bobby Skinstad and his family and friends.  Bobby and his mate had tickets to the game and his friend was verbalising his anxiety on getting to the stadium for the Anthems!

 We then peeled off and joined others making their way to the V & A Waterfront.  We had hoped to watch the game in the Paulaner Brauhaus.  Well the queues stretched round the block so we opted for a small restaurant opposite that also had screens.  After the game we headed back to the station, pausing to admire the new “Eye” – a small edition of the London Eye.  It looked stunning – like a jewel.

We managed to get seats in a third class carriage with a great crowd from a Fish Hoek Walking Club.  They started up a sing-song that had the whole carriage joining in.  Our carriage was very mixed but noticibly missing from the group were Africans.  Maybe if we had been on a train doing the Pinelands run it would have been different.  I do know there were major Fan Parks in the Townships but somehow I would have expected to see more.  A complaint from the start was that the FIFA set ticket prices were out of the reach of Township people – perhaps the biggest football population.

We got off at Kalk Bay and, still being on a high, went to the Brass Bell Pub to watch the start of the 20.30 game.

 Safe and clean, efficient public transport, being able to walk around the streets of Cape Town after dark and catch late night trains home.  Something unknown to a generation of Capetonians.

 As I said a miracle in Cape Town.

 
General Information

Match Timetables

Private Public Viewing

  Fact Sheet 2010 preparations

 Security Information

   Security 2010

Hospitality and Tourism

 20090303-Adopt-a-Nation-Campaign.ppt 
 20090310-2008-South-Africa-Fast-Facts_3.pdf
 20090311-FFH_Official_Campaign-Final.pdf
 20090311-TV-operation-Facts-and-Figures.pdf
 20090311-FIFA_Broschure_E.pdf

Transport

 Transport during the World Cup

 South African Department of Transport