CAPE TOWN TO LAUNCH ITS CARNIVAL IN 2010

UNCLAS CAPE TOWN 000235 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON SF SUBJECT: CAPE TOWN TO LAUNCH ITS CARNIVAL IN 2010 ¶1. (U) While some are asking the question will South Africa be ready to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup; the Best Mayor in the World is displaying a "bring 'em on" attitude. On a windy, chilly evening, Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille, leader of the newly re-launched Democratic Alliance, hosted a "community event" with full diplomatic corps presence. She used the thinly disguised street fest as an opportunity to announce to the representatives of the world "CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL 2010." ¶2. (U) The atmosphere was already carnival like with feathers, boas, colorful dress, and music and dancing of all types. The newest 2010 invitation to Cape Town will be set between two already popular, big draw events. Set for March 12-14, 2010, Carnival Cape Town will be a week-end long party between the Argus Cycle Tour and the Two Oceans Marathon, and just months prior to the beginning of the World Cup. Three purposes of the development of Carnival Cape Town are: continued branding of Cape Town as a world-class destination; an avenue to display Cape Town's wealth of talent and cultural diversity; and the creation of additional jobs and economic growth. Upon the announcement of the creation of more jobs, the crowd cheered the loudest. ¶3. (U) At that point, Mayor Zille used the microphone to admonish the city's youth to use this new opportunity to stay out of trouble, to stay in school and to resist the drug trade and environment. After Zille's speech, more cheers were heard from the audience. Mayor Zille is known for her anti-drug advocacy in a city that has been dubbed in a recent news article as the "epicentre of two significant public health epidemics - methamphetamine abuse and increasing HIV incidence." ¶4. (U) As the Mayor continued to detail the sponsorship, operation, and contest-like nature of the Cape Town Carnival, most people returned to the food, drinks and to talking amongst themselves. As with most events, the topic of the discussion changed quickly to politics. The Consul General continued to receive congratulatory remarks for the successful, incident-free, U.S. Presidential election. That comment was followed by the equally familiar, "what does this mean for (South) Africa" question. ¶5. (U) Many, if not all, of the 210 City Councilors were present along side the diplomatic corps members. The CG and the Consulate's Management Officer used the occasion to engage several of the City Council members. In a discussion with the Majority Whip (Democratic Alliance) and the Councilor in charge of Safety and Security (United Democratic Front),the question of the success of a coalition government was raised. Both Councilors agreed that Cape Town has been successful governing from a coalition base. They both felt this model could be applied to the South African national government. Asked if the same approach would be used with the new ANC break-away party (COPE),both gleefully said it would probably not happen in the 2009 election. However, they still insisted that the Western Cape example could be the standard for the rest of the nation. ¶6. (U) Comment. Cape Town seems poised to lead the nation's efforts for a successful FIFA World Cup in 2010. The Mayor is courting even more visitors to Cape Town during or shortly before the World Cup event, that some believe will see at least 3 million additional people inundating South Africa. The gutsy move will highlight regional talent, use many of the rooms that are being developed for the FIFA mega event, and create more jobs. Cape Town and the Western Cape Province also seem poised to lead the way to a more QWestern Cape Province also seem poised to lead the way to a more participatory democracy in South Africa. End comment.