South African President Jacob Zuma delivered his state of the nation address last month, and his words about last summer’s tournament echoed the overall consensus of visiting teams, fans and spectators from afar.
“The experience of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup taught us the need to appreciate all that is good about our country,” he boomed.
Nine months after the horns of the iconic vuvuzelas fell silent; a new sporting focus is on the horizon. The race to become the Olympic city of choice for 2020 will get underway later this year. Officials say that Cape Town, Johaanesburg and Port Elizabeth have all expressed an interest, but Durban has emerged as the front runner to put in a bid.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been keen to publicly endorse such a notion. "If a country is able to organise a FIFA World Cup it can also organise the Summer Olympic Games, because the Olympics are mostly confined only in one city,” he stated.
"I would fully support such a candidature from one of the cities here in South Africa for the Olympics of 2020."
The legacy
Before debating what this could hold for South Africa, it is worth taking a closer look at the legacy the World Cup has left behind.
There is no doubting that South Africa’s image was much enhanced thanks to the month-long spectacle. Millions across the world who had visions of a country struggling to free itself from the shackles of the apartheid oppression became enchanted by the spirit of a nation enjoying its 16th year of freedom.
But in the business world, much talk before the World Cup focused on how it would benefit the country’s economy and create thousands of jobs in the process, with massive stadiums being built and infrastructure improved.
The reality
Zuma’s government spent R33 billion on the world’s most famous tournament, while 310,000 visitors flocked to the country and foreign spending in the economy reached R3.8 billion.
A closer look at the figures suggests that the financial return was perhaps not as successful as the 3 percent economic growth predicted. It slowed from 4.6 percent in the first quarter of 2010 to 3.2 percent in the second and 2.6 percent in the third, the periods covering the summer World Cup.
However, analysts believe that the spending boost from the event halted a steep decline in the rate of growth in the country, acting as a “saviour” for many businesses last year.
Public opinion
The government shelled out R19 billion on improving infrastructure in preparation for the World Cup. But while some citizens acknowledge the introduction of Africa’s first high-speed train and a brand new public transport system as direct benefits from being given the nod as host nation, others argue that the money would have been better spent elsewhere.
A chronic unemployment rate of almost 25 percent, poverty and even problems with access to basic amenities in some regions has left a sour taste in the mouths of some natives, particularly when some of the 10 massive stadiums now stand empty and largely unused.
Results of a survey from consulting firm KPMG were also slightly concerning. It asked 100 of its top clients whether they thought the World Cup would have a positive impact in 2009, and 45 percent said yes. After the event, this number more than halved to 22 percent when asked if they felt they had benefited.
Durban 2020?
The Moses Mabhida Stadium would be a major feature of the city’s potential Olympic Games. The capacity of 63,000 could be increased to 80,000 and a running track could be added.
Michael Sutcliffe, Durban’s city manager, believes that an Olympic Games in Durban “could be one of the most cost-effective ever”.
The city has a range of features that lend it to hosting the Games, including a new airport, King Shaka International; a world-class convention centre and various types of accommodation. A tried and tested public transport system and a station next to the stadium are two further plus points.
Advantageous position
Durban will also hold the International Olympic Committee (IOC) annual meeting in July this year - a massive boost for the bid.
More than 100 of the IOC’s members will descend upon the city for the event and the city’s bid team will be able to take full advantage of presenting the city’s delights without the usual restrictions applied to bid cities, which cannot be imposed until the bid is officially launched later in the summer.
If successful, a Durban Olympics would provide a welcome economic boost for the city’s 3.5 million inhabitants as well as the country’s economy as a whole with the tourism and profile boost that inevitably comes with it.
But perhaps more importantly, Africa would have its first Olympic city and continue a legacy ignited by the World Cup, taking its place among the world’s elite sporting destinations.
For related stories, click on the links below:
South Africa the real World Cup winners after R3.6bn tourism boost to economy
Business tourism could boost economy by over R1bn - SA Minister
