The country's football team is known as Bafana Bafana - "the boys, the boys" in isiZulu - a name that comes from the fans' cry that went up during the squad's triumph at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, hosted in South AFrica. Other than winning that tournament, Bafana Bafana has twice qualified - in 1998 and 2002 - for the FIFA World Cup since the end of South Africa's sporting isolation.
Why South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup
FIFA decided that the 2010 tournament would be hosted by an African country, with five countries - South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya - in the running. In 2004 the organization’s inspection committee announced that South Africa had the potential to organize an "excellent" World Cup - compared to Egypt and Morocco's potential to organize "very good" World Cups, Tunisia's potential to organize a "good" World Cup, and the probability that Libya would "face great difficulties in organizing a World Cup to the standards required".
Economic benefits
It has been estimated that the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010 will create some 129 000 jobs, contribute around R21-billion to the country's gross domestic product and another R7.2-billion in government taxes, with the 350 000 visitors spending a some R9.8-billion in the country.
Use of the FIFA logo
Only accredited FIFA partners and sponsors are allowed to use the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010 logo in their publicity and advertising.
Tickets
Some 3-million tickets will be available for the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010's 64 matches. One third, or a million, will be allocated to South African football fans, another million to international visitors, and the third million to sponsors, teams and the "FIFA family". Tickets are likely to go on sale in 2008.
What is a vuvuzela?
Some would say its South Africa's national musical instrument. It's a big plastic trumpet, brightly colored, and is blown with gusto by all fans at every football match in the country. The sound it makes is something between the bellow of a constipated elephant and the buzzing of a giant swarm of baritone bees, but South Africans like it.
Travelling to South Africa
Time zone
South African Standard Time is two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2). During June and July, when the 2010 tournament will be held, South African time is the same as that in continental Europe, and an hour ahead of the UK. So matches that kick off at 9pm here should be comfortable viewing for Europeans, but will be in the middle of the day in the US and early in the morning in Australia.
Transport
The host cities are all linked by air and train routes, and South Africa has a number of first-rate tour bus companies. The country’s road infrastructure is excellent, so it's a viable option to rent a car.
South African public transport is not up to the standard of New York or London, but there are options. The most popular form of public transport is the minibus taxi. By 2010 a massive recapitalization plan, currently underway, is likely to have replaced the old vehicles with larger and safer small buses.
Most of the host cities have Metrorail train and Metro bus systems, and there are numerous meter cab companies.
Accommodation
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the FIFA inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010, including media representatives and fans from around the world, both in the main towns ... and in the other towns suggested as 2010 FIFA World Cup venues."
Other options are the many bed & breakfast establishments in and around all the host cities, and over 150 backpacker lodges.
Communication
With a network that is 99% digital and includes the latest in fixed-line, wireless and satellite communication, South Africa has the most developed telecommunications network in Africa. The country's three cellular operators provide telephony to over 30-million subscribers - more than half the population.
Safety
Yes, there is crime in South Africa. But you really don't need to do much more than take all the usual sensible precautions. Know where you're going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, and lock your doors at night.
"As long as people attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup ... keep within certain boundaries, they should not encounter any trouble," the FIFA inspection team said in their country report.
"The Inspection Group received an excellent, comprehensive work schedule from one of the high commanders of the national police, covering stadiums, media centers and main hotels, which will doubtless satisfy every requirement for the event."
Water
South Africa’s water is of a far higher quality than that of many developed countries. High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere, treated to be free of harmful microorganisms and both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. Johannesburg's water, for one, is as good as anything you'll get in a bottle.
Health
"On the whole, the health system has excellent facilities and perhaps one of the best private health systems in the world, drawing on modern technology and highly qualified specialists and medical staff," the FIFA inspection team said in its report.
"We have to add that there are fully equipped infirmaries with adequate first-aid facilities to meet every need in the stadiums proposed for the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010."
Currency
South Africa's unit of currency is the rand, which is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. With a favorable exchange rate for many international currencies, South Africa is an inexpensive destination.
Banking
South Africa has a world-class, sophisticated financial sector, abreast of all the latest technological trends. Banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers (ATMs) are widely available. All major credit cards can be used, foreign banks are well represented, and banking can be done by ATM, internet or phone.
Host cities
Nine South African cities have been selected to host the FIFA South Africa World Cup 2010.
Johannesburg
The economic hub of Africa, Johannesburg is a bustling, sprawling city of contrasts, spread across the small but densely populated province of Gauteng.
- Population (City of Johannesburg Metro): 3 225 810
- Province: Gauteng
- Map coordinates: 26° 08’ S, 28° 14’ E
- Altitude: 1 694 meters
- Nearest airport: OR Tambo International Airport
- World Cup stadiums: Soccer City and Ellis Park
- Websites: www.joburg.org.za, www.joburgtourism.com, www.gauteng.net
Cape Town
South Africa's oldest and loveliest city lies in Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, in the south of the Western Cape Province. Beautiful buildings, the nearby wine lands, long white beaches and a rich cultural life make Cape Town South Africa's most favored tourist destination.
- Population (City of Cape Town Metro): 2 893 251
- Province: Western Cape
- Map coordinates: 33° 59’ S, 18° 36’ E
- Altitude: 42 meters
- Nearest airport: Cape Town International Airport
- World Cup stadium: Green Point Stadium
- Websites: www.capetown.gov.za, www.tourismcapetown.co.za
Durban
A warm subtropical place and the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is a major tourist destination and the busiest port in South Africa.
- Population (EThekwini Metro): 3 090 117
- Province: KwaZulu-Natal
- Map coordinates: 29° 58’ S, 30° 57’ E
- Altitude: 8 meters
- Nearest airport: Durban International Airport
- World Cup stadium: Durban Stadium
- Websites: www.durban.gov.za, www.kzn.org.za
Tshwane/Pretoria
Pretoria, in the Tshwane metropolitan municipality, is the administrative capital of South Africa, lying north of Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng. Over 150 years old, it is a place of grand monuments, delightful architecture and lovely open spaces.
- Population (City of Tshwane Metro): 1 985 984
- Province: Gauteng
- Map coordinates: 25° 44’ S, 28° 11’ E
- Altitude: 1 330 meters
- Nearest airport: OR Tambo International Airport
- World Cup stadium: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
- Websites: www.tshwane.gov.za, www.tshwanetourism.com
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Known as the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth lies in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality on the windswept Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape Province.
- Population (Nelson Mandela Bay Metro): 1 005 776
- Province: Eastern Cape
- Map coordinates: 33° 59’ S, 25° 36’ E
- Altitude: 60 meters
- Nearest airport: Port Elizabeth Airport
- World Cup stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
- Websites: www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za, www.ectourism.co.za
