A world for refloat Africa. This is how FIFA conceived the first World Cup on African soil, the first also in the southern hemisphere since 1978. The image that South Africa projected to the entire world was that of a rebuilt country, a place where the past is written in letters of fire so you don't forget. The figure of Nelson Mandela had an iCapital importance, from the first day to the last. It was the Madiba World Cup. Also of Waka-waka, vuvuzelas and octopus Paul. We were all African for a month.
South Africa experienced abefore and after, No doubt. The country's economic development was unquestionable. The tournament left a million jobs, improved highways and airports, promoted the creation of new stadiums and even allowed the first high speed train in africa saw the light, the one who connects since then Johannesburg with Pretoria in less than 40 minutes. They call him Gautrain.
The World Cup spending it was about € 5 billion. FIFA contributed almost a thousand of them, the another 4,000 they came out of the coffers of the South African government and the local governments of each of the headquarters. Compared with the subsequent expenses of World Cups in Brazil and Russia, which were around 10,000 million, It can consider optimal.
More work, more tourism
I also know telecommunications improved and the workers conditions. 44,000 new police officers were trained and tourism suffered a considerable rebound. During the World Cup, it is estimated that there were 400,000 foreign tourists visiting the different host cities where the tournament was played. Their average cost, including airfare, accommodation and food, was around 3,000 euros per person. Best of all, there were hardly any incidents and security, which was of great concern, worked well.
All this meant a profit for the country of 12,000 million in the following years to the World Cup. The challenge is – and continues to be – maintaining good economic inertia despite the economic crises that the African continent continues to suffer.
Through the air yet the hums of the vuvuzela rumbles among the local fans, the same ones who filled the Soccer City of Johannesburg on this day to see the Bafana Bafana debut against Mexico. It was 4 in the afternoon. It was cold. Mandela finally did not come as a sign of mourning for his great-granddaughter. The first African World Cup in history started…