Posted on 01/15/2007 12:57:45 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a "monumental flop" if South Africa does nothing to counter international perceptions that the country is a criminal haven, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi warned on Friday.
"South Africa, unfortunately, is perceived in many parts of the world as a criminal haven. A walk down London's Regent Street or Sydney's Oxford Street will, sadly, provide ample anecdotal evidence to support this perception," he said in his weekly message.
Once a perception id cast, it can prove almost impossible to shift.
The 2010 World Cup is expected to attract 450 000 visitors to South Africa.
"But if prospective international visitors judge our country not safe enough to travel to, the event could turn out to be a monumental flop, and any economic gains hoped for will vanish into thin air."
Buthelezi said it is totally unacceptable that tens of thousands of rapists, murderers, paedophiles, vehicle hijackers, drug dealers and thieves, as well as national and international criminal syndicates, "strike every hour and everyday in South Africa -- usually with impunity".
The country's criminal justice system is on the verge of collapse.
"The government's inability to identify, combat, isolate and successfully prosecute and incarcerate criminals is a national disgrace."
However, the reason for this is not because government is soft on crime, despite perceptions to that effect.
"The problem is ... that in many ways the South African state is weak and ineffective. The fight against crime is another reason why we must win the political argument that the decentralised state is more effective than the unitary state in delivering essential services.
"Policing in South Africa, for example, remains highly centralised, while countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Germany have a multiplicity of policing agencies at the national, state and local levels.
"The recent appalling crime statistics illustrate that the highly centralised system of policing much favoured by the African National Congress alliance is an abject failure.
"Policing must be decentralised as a matter of urgency with a new and competent leadership," he said.
Buthelezi noted it would be necessary to identify and remove "unhealthy, unfit, semi-literate police officers untrained in detective work and forensics" from the South African Police Service.
He said crime is sometimes "glamorised" in the country's townships.
"This culture must be condemned and citizens must accept the truth of the saying that 'he who profits from crime commits it'. The purchase of stolen goods, for instance, must be seen for what it is: a crime."
Buthelezi also called for tax rebates for the many South Africans who had been forced to pay private security firms to safeguard their homes and families. -- Sapa
2010 is shaping up to be a disaster inspired by the politically-correct crowd.
Move it to Harlem, or New Orleans.
Fricking geniuses!
I'll pass. (snicker)
The World Cup is a draw card that shapes the perception of your country for the next 20 years. If you look back at South Korea and their World Cup...it gave a huge positive picture of the country...modern...high quality...safe with almost no crime...and a place that might be interesting to visit. Germany accomplished an awful lot this past summer...doing the very same thing.
South Africa...could very well accomplish the very same thing. It has the tourism potential...it can demonstrate a modern society. But currently...when you add up the murders and robberies per day...this is not the place to bring 400,000 visitors into. I'm already predicting over 40 World Cup tourists killed during the games...with the bookies keeping track and offering odds. This is not the atmosphere that the organizers were planning...and its up to the national government to put its foot down...to settle this mess.
No offense, but why did they pick South Africa? If they wanted someplace exotic, why not Dubai where they can build air-conditioned domes for the teams to play in?
Whats the Over and Under (Six Feet) ?
I've attended the last 5 World Cups. Had a great time at all of them. Right now, I'm leaning towards missing the 2010 Cup.
1990 Italy
1994 USA
1998 France
2002 S.Korea
2006 Germany
If you look back at South Korea and their World Cup...it gave a huge positive picture of the country...modern...high quality...safe with almost no crime...and a place that might be interesting to visit.
I agree. I was able to go to a few games and it was great. I really enjoyed the experience even though I am not a huge soccor fan.
Where is the World Cup in 2014?
It's happened before, originally the 1986 WC was supposed to be in Colombia, but got moved to Mexico.
"It's happened before, originally the 1986 WC was supposed to be in Colombia, but got moved to Mexico."
You're right, Columbia were broke and couldn't afford it.
"No offense, but why did they pick South Africa?"
European post-colonial guilt (and I am not being sarcastic).
Where is the World Cup in 2014?
The site hasn't been chosen yet but the smart money is betting on Brazil.
Hi,
I LIVE in South Africa, trust me STAY AWAY from the 2010 games, things are becomming REALLY bad here. I say this absolutely sincerely to warn those of you wanting to come. The crime at the moment is insane, we live in fear and constantly have to look out and wonder if were next. My neighbour was shot in cold blood this year after an attempted hijacking, every morning the news is filled with new headlines of it. Local gun law prevents us for keeping a gun for self-defence, the police are few and OVER taxed, criminals are reported constantly to walk away from crime scenes and talk/laugh.
Visit some news sites locally daily for a week and decide if youd like to come:
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Home/0,,2-7,00.html
http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15
Then move to the USA, we could use more educated professionals like you.
A vast group of the educated professionals have left SA. My wife among them. She is a nurse practitioner. She came to the US to escape the crime in SA. I have visited SA three times in my five year marriage to her. I acknowledge the level of crime is SA is horrible, but I do enjoy my visits there (mind you, I do most of the time sleep with one eye open). No matter where you travel there are the detractors, but following some basic personal security practices can make traveling to SA enjoyable. Taking a large group tour is a option that could suit most. I personally prefer the more intimate approach, of course I have my wife and her family to guide me and keep me out of the most unsafe scenario's. Crime aside SA has some wonderful things to do and see. I have met some incredibly wonderful and beautiful people on both sides of the racial divide. I would not recommend everyone traveling to SA, but for those willing to look beyond the headlines, they'll find SA an amazing place and have an eye opening educational experience. (Who in the general American public know the ANC is a communist organization?) I bet most FReepers do, but I think most Americans do not. Bottom line is, I will continue to visit SA.
Soccer? YAWN... Could there bea more boring sport? EVER?
Just curious, did you notice any improvement in the economic conditions since you visited South Africa the first time?
Yes, most definitely. I see a lot of money being spent in building projects. My father in laws company has expanded, and he has signed about 9 million Rand in contracts for this year. He does kitchen and bathroom remodeling, custom metal and wood work. Africa time is killing his productivity, I think I should go over and run his factory! I do not think the labor force would be too pleased with an American running the show! No more slow strikes!
Where's the money coming from if White South Africans are leaving Africa in droves?
Minority, I do not know if white South Africans are leaving in droves. I know there was a time when many were leaving. The so called "brain drain". I know my wife has approximately 50 South African ex-pats friends in the Central Valley California area. All have been in the US less than 10 years. The vast majority of this group are health care professionals, nurses, respiratory therapist, and the like. I do not know enough to make a guess about the origins of the money. My father in law(a white South African) is spending money, he has completely remodeled his home, and expanded his factory. He has purchased all the most advanced cutting and finishing tools for his cabinet making business. He is doing a tremendous amount of work in the high end apartments popping up in Jo-berg. I personally went with him to estimate a complete building renovation. A seven story building just outside one of worst locations in Jo-Berg. I know two of the plots next to his, owned by Chinese families are spending allot of money. I seen money being spent by all races when I was there last April-May. I think international investment may be behind it, China making the largest contribution, but then again, you live there, so you would know more than I. I only travel there every other year.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.