Public Forum: “The 2010 FIFA World Cup and its impact on South Africans”

INVITATION TO A PUBLIC FORUM

“The 2010 FIFA World Cup and its impact on South Africans”

Date: 2 July 2010
Venue: Elangeni, Southern Sun
Time: 09:00 am – 12:00 am (Morning Session)
RSVP: No later than 25 June 2010 to Ms. Nondumiso Makhathini via fax at (031) 306 2261 or e-mail: nondumisom@ddpdurban.org.za
NB: Refreshments will be served on arrival. Doors will be closed at 10:00 am

The long wait from 2004 on, when South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup was successful, has finally come to its end. In the period leading up to the tournament, high expectations for South Africa’s development have been raised, most notably by the government; and it is hoped that the World cup will lead to an improvement of the country’s and continent’s image in the world. At the same time, numerous instances of criticism have been put forward against the project and how it was handled by government and the FIFA. The Democracy Development Programme invites you to discuss this timely topic during our upcoming Public Forum.

We are pleased to welcome two speakers to our forum who will be able to provide qualified input:

• Sam Sole: Journalist, Winner of the 2003 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award, Author of the chapter “Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium: Arch of Hope or Yoke of Debt?” in the Institute for Security Studies’ publication “Player and Referee – Conflicting Interests and the 2010 FIFA World Cup”
• Dr. Orli Bass: Senior Project Officer at UKZN’s Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity, co-editor of the HSRC publication “Development and Dreams – The Urban Legacy of the 2010 Football World Cup”

We would like to address the following issues, among others, during our forum:

• What are the socio-economic impacts of sporting mega-events and specifically of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for South Africa and for Durban? Do the poor benefit?
• Was there citizen participation in the planning process, e.g. for stadia design, accessibility and location?
• What kind of legacy will the World Cup leave behind both for the country and locally, in Durban?
• Does the World Cup provide a new push for South Africa’s nation building and does it facilitate inter-racial relations?
• Will the World Cup strengthen the KZN Government’s programme for African Renaissance? Will this enhance sense of a common identity amongst diverse foreign nationals and SA citizens?
• How will the 2010 World Cup change the image of the continent, South Africa, KZN and Durban in the world?

Engagement

Recent estimates suggest that the total cost of the World Cup to the taxpayer has ballooned to what is now R117bn, including expenditure on related infrastructure projects. At the same time, the number of tourists expected to visit South Africa during the tournament fell from 485,000 to 373,000. Furthermore, the strict regulations imposed by FIFA have been a constant source of criticism and many claim that the only entity that is actually sure to gain from the tournament is FIFA, while the poor are once more sidelined.

Still, as FIFA World Cups are probably the most popular event on the planet, maybe only rivalled by Summer Olympic Games, this year’s edition also presents a unique opportunity to showcase South Africa to the whole world – which is quite certainly going to impact tourism positively and may make the country more attractive to foreign investment as well.

On the 2nd of July, right before the climax of the tournament, you will be given the opportunity to discuss the 2010 FIFA World Cup not just on the basis of cost estimates or newspaper commentary but also based on personal experience of the event.

We are looking forward to your positive response!