In an interview with the BBC Arthur Mutambara......?

Question

...leader of a faction of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (M.D.C.),
said that the Wcup2010 in South Africa will not be a success unless the problems in Zimbabwe are resolved.
What do you think?

Answer 1

Depends on what he means by success. FIFA wil tell you that it already is a success because of the number and value of the Sponsorships they have had. From a pure sporting view I believe that is only one of a number of reasons why it will be a monumental feck up. South Africa is just not capable of hosting a Tournament of this enormity when compared to the Germans or any of the other European Countries. There are so many questions from Stadia to Infrastructure to Ticket prices that the only way they can do it is to lower the standard of the Tournament to a level it has never been at. Despite all the bribery and corruption between FIFA and the ANC I will only believe it is going to happen there when the Teams arrive.

Answer 2

I don't think the two issues are directly linked.

However, if the economic mess and social meltdown continue in Zimbabwe, then - by 2010 - the country will be incredibly poor and people will have left in large numbers; most would have heade to SA.

So, if the problems in Zimbabwe have not been resolved by 2010, then they are likely to have become of such proportions that the world (which currently seems to ignore the travasties Zimbabwean people have to endure) will start to pay attention .... their attention thus partially diverted from SA or the SA 2010 will somehow become "associated with" the problems in Zimbabwe instead of being seen as show-casing SA.

Answer 3

He makes a valid point.
1) Because of problems in the political region,the whole region in Southern Africa are seen as a hot spot internationally and that may prevent potential spectators from traveling to South Africa.
2) The influx of jobless migrant people creates the impression amongst visitors that South Africa is a backwater filthy country where the citizens lives in squalor and that is an image they could take back to their home countries and South African tourism would suffer afterwards.
3) Homeless and hungry people from a neighbouring country sometimes have no other option than to turn to crime if they cannot earn a legal income. The tourists will be a prime target,because as a non South African citizen they may lack the pride to make the visitors welcome and safe.
4) All the extra people do put a strain on South Africa's infrastructure and with the influx with worldcup visitors it could be pushed beyond breaking point.

Answer 4

I guess we don't need for worries mate. At the inflation rate set in Zimbabwe, Uncle Robert is going to have to start selling off some of the provinces within Zimbabwe to get paper to print money with additional zero's, so it will most likely be a 10th province here in SA!

Answer 5

Waiting for the world to get better may be a long wait. The best thing is to go and "live in easy world, where everything is easy." They are living in "difficult world" where nothing ever get's better. They just have to leave it and move into "easy world, where everything is easy" and you all can get on with business. Source: iliveineasyworld.com

Answer 6

Yes, we are affected by our neighbours and all the people who enter our country illegally. I have my doubts about the Wcup, I don't we can handle it...