Cold Leaves Fan Parks Empty

Due to a cold streak rushing across South Africa, fan parks in Johannesburg and other cities have seen lower than expected attendance rates.

[O]ne week into the tournament, a cold spell of weather added to a disappointing defeat by South Africa to Uruguay on Wednesday have left only a few dozen die-hard believers, wrapped up warm and huddled together braving the outdoor parks where temperatures have hovered around zero degrees.

Fan zones frozen out
June 18, 2010

Weather Not Likely A Delaying Factor for Green Point Stadium

Despite concerns over a wet and windy winter, construction on Cape Town's Green Point Stadium is expected to complete on time.

Contractors building the multimillion-rand Green Point Stadium are bracing themselves for a few months of heavy rains and gale-force winds, seven-and-a-half months ahead of the deadline to complete the World Cup venue.

That's according to Andrew Fanton, project manager of the Green Point Stadium construction site.

...Parts of the 68 000-seater World Cup stadium's glass roof were fitted on Thursday and it is expected to be completed by September.

Thereafter, the grass pitch, which is being grown on a farm in Stellenbosch, and the stadium seats will be installed.

Fanton said the stadium's internal finishes, which include the VIP suites, boardrooms, change rooms and bathrooms, will be completed by July, and the external facade by August.

Source:
Winter threat to Green Point stadium
Cape Argus
May 1, 2009

A Discussion About the Problems and Potentials for SA

This podcast features a discussion about the challenges facing South Africa as it prepares to host the World Cup (the relevant discussion begins around 17 minutes in). Crime and murder are highlighted as specific concerns facing the country, though there is some feeling that concerns are overblown. One panelist discounts concerns over low ticket sales for the Confederations Cup and what many are calling a lax marketing effort within the country. But on the positive side, the weather is going to be nice!

We will also talk about the positives that will undoubtedly make South Africa 2010 a huge spectacle and we even discuss the baboon breakout that threatens to cause carnage at the World Cup!

Among the topics discussed with Gary Andrews and Daryl Grove were:

* The international sides set to make an impression at the World Cup
* World Cup 2010 ticketing issues
* South Africa’s crime rate and how this may affect travelling supporters
* The positives of holding football’s premier competition in Africa

Source:
Soccerlens Podcast - South Africa 2010
SoccerLens
March 27, 2009