FIFA 2010 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR

UNCLAS CAPE TOWN 000081 PLEASE PASS TO AF/S, JOHN MARBURG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SA SUBJECT: FIFA 2010 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR PROVIDES UPDATES ON 2010 WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS ¶1. Summary: Fifa 2010 Western Cape Provincial Coordinator Dr. Laurine Platzky discussed a number of key issues pertaining to the Western Cape's preparations for next year's World Cup extravaganza at a brief meeting in Cape Town on March 13. She noted that the province was already organizing sports and various life skills training activities for young people in the townships since provincial schools will be closed during the month-long sports event. She further shared that the Western Cape is aiming to host ten national teams with their base camps located throughout the province. Platzky volunteered that two national teams had already visited the Western Cape to inspect accommodations, practice areas and security requirements for their players. Overall, she appeared upbeat about her province's preparations and asserted that the various projects, including transportation, were either slightly ahead of or on schedule. End Summary. How Do We Keep the Kids Busy? -------------- ¶2. Dr. Platzky met with the Consul General and other Consulate officials on March 13 to provide an update on the Western Cape's preparations for next year's World Cup. Platzky, in response to a question, confirmed that provincial schools will be closed during the entire month of World Cup activities from June 11 to July 11, 2010. She pointed out that the province was already planning to have Mass Participation Programs (MPP) for township youth during the month-long school holiday. These programs will include soccer activities and other life skills training to engage them in constructive activities. Dutch coaches had already begun soccer training in the townships, she added. A Plan to Host Ten National Teams -------------- ¶3. Platzky shared that the Western Cape is aiming to host ten national teams with their base camps located throughout the province. She volunteered that since the province had approximately one third of the high-end accommodations in the country, provincial officials had decided to try to host one third of the thirty-two teams. Platzky also noted that officials from the French and Spanish teams had already visited the Western Cape to look at accommodations, practice playing fields and security requirements. (Comment: A Consulate official following the Fifa 2010 qualifying games predicted that the French team would not qualify to play in the World Cup matches. End Comment). She wondered, somewhat regretfully, why the U.S. team had only looked at one area in Pretoria and had not visited other parts of the country. Note: Consul General Andrew Passen (Johannesburg) put Consul General Mayberry (Cape Town) in touch with U.S. Soccer Managing Director of Administration Tom King. King promised to update Consulate General Cape Town on the U.S. team's plans for the World Cup when he visits here at a later time. Post will report as appropriate. End Note. Sanguine on Transportation Projects -------------- ¶4. Platzky described several initiatives that the Western Cape and the city of Cape Town are undertaking to minimize potential transportation bottlenecks during the World Cup games. She mentioned that officials had decided to hold seven of the eight Cape Town matches at 20:30 in the evening to avoid traffic tie-ups with rush-hour traffic. The eighth match will be held at 14:30. She also elaborated on a reservation scheme for domestic and international fans that Qreservation scheme for domestic and international fans that includes transportation in their travel packages. For example, there are "follow-your team" and five-day city packages available, particularly for international soccer fans. When an individual buys one of these packages, it will contain a ticket to the match, accommodation, and shuttle transportation to/from the event. For the majority of local fans, who can buy tickets apart from a package, they can catch a train or a bus to the train station and then walk the fan mile to the stadium. Incidentally, tickets purchased for the events will include the person's name and ID number to try to minimize scalping activities. Platzky confirmed that there will also be shuttle buses from District Six for those individuals who wish to park their cars there. ¶5. The other transportation projects underway in the Cape Town area are on schedule, she continued. The widening of the N2 route near Groot Schuur Hospital, otherwise known as "hospital bend," is scheduled to be finished by December ¶2009. Another city official indicated that the city's Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system, while still controversial with taxi operators, is also "fairly" on target. The implementation of the inner-city IRT system from Castle Street to the new Green Point stadium has begun and is well within city timelines. This official further noted that about R1 billion (USD 100 million) worth of bus ways are already under construction with more to follow for the new system. He added that the city is going ahead with its IRT plans but will continue to consult with the taxi industry. Other Issues of Interest -------------- ¶6. Dr. Platzky also touched on a number of other World Cup-related issues. -- She asserted that the city and the province have no reason to believe that sex work will increase during the World Cup events although she agreed that young people may try to sell their services. Platzky said that South Africa will not be able to decriminalize the sex industry by 2010. She further maintained that all World Cup literature and advertising makes abundantly clear to fans that underage sex is illegal and that it will not be tolerated. -- Platzky explained the reasons for the increases in the cost of the Greenpoint Stadium. The first estimate, she maintained, was based on the average cost of a seat with 65,000 seats installed for the 2010 matches. She added that environmental considerations had greatly increased the costs from R3.8 billion (USD 380 million) to its current estimate of R4.4 billion (USD 440 million) - an increase of fifteen percent. For example, a double skin must now be put on the roof to cut down on noise levels. Stade de France has also received a thirty-year concession to operate the stadium. -- Besides the fans in the stadium, there will be a fan park with giant screens televising the matches for fans who cannot afford or obtain tickets. The fan park will be located on Cape Town's "grand parade" near the train station. -- Coca Cola has paid USD 2 billion for the exclusive sale of coke products within stadiums for three World Cups, including the one to be held in South Africa. Budweiser will be the only beer sold at the stadiums during the matches. South African wine will be served in the boxes but not in the stands. -- Fifty-seven new Home Affairs officials will be stationed at the Cape Town airport to help process increased visitors. ¶7. Comment: Platzky seemed pleased with the progress to date on the Western Cape's preparations for 2010. She seemed equally satisfied with the progress on transportation projects thus far. Nevertheless, Cape Town has not seen the last of the taxi industry's discontent with the IRT system. The taxi industry's opposition to a similar bus system in Johannesburg led to a massive taxi strike with violence against bus drivers and passengers in that city on March 21. More consultations between government officials and the taxi industry will be needed to deconflict the new transportation system. Until then, uncertainty over adequate transportation for local fans and an additional 150,000 outside visitors may continue to cloud an otherwise sunny forecast for Cape Town's 2010 World Cup. End Comment. MAYBERRY