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So You re Coming To Africa For The FIFA World Cup
b>Here's what to expect
when you get off the For starters, President Thabo
plane... in the year Mbeki plans on kicking around at
2010... least 100 billion Rand in honour
of the beautiful game. Thirteen
Well for one thing, get used to stadiums have been proposed, with
the "Vuvuzelas"; you're going to venues located in key cities
be hearing a lot of them. Come to around the country, five of which
think of it, you might as well are in the process of being
get one for yourself. As the old built, another five are being
saying goes..."if you can't beat renovated and a further three are
em, you'd better join em". almost ready.
What is a Vuvuzela anyway? Making sure transport is up to
Roughly translated it means scratch, 700 dedicated World Cup
"noise maker", which describes buses are expected to operate
exactly what these elongated between the venue cities. At
indigenous trumpets do. least 250 coaches, dedicated to
Recognized as a popular symbol of the World Cup, will offer
our soccer crazed culture, Nelson long-distance links between the
Mandela ordered hundreds of venues. In addition, special rail
Vuvuzelas to be taken to Zurich services are ready to transport
in support of South Africa's bid fans to the thirteen
for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. So state-of-the-art stadiums across
far, they seem to have worked the country.
like a charm.
A quick profile of the three
Now that South Africa's got major host cities:
the ball, what are we going to do
with it? First stop! Jo'burg's Soccer
City Sandton, with games being played
between the two venues, Ellis
Your first World Cup destination Park and Soccer City. It might be
will in all likelihood be in a good idea to find accommodation
Johannesburg, where the opening between the two stadiums, namely
match will be played. The city of Sandton if possible, this will
Johannesburg has already hosted ensure you have convenient access
several large sporting events. to the venues.
The Rugby World Cup final, played
at Ellis Park and the final of Which city hosts the next
the African Cup of Nations, which game?
took place at Soccer City. You
can expect modern venues with all Although nobody knows for sure at
the trimmings. this stage, it's highly likely
The first matches will be played that Cape Town's Newlands Stadium
between both of these world-class will be hosting the first and
venues. The opening match at second round matches of the World
Soccer City, otherwise known as Cup. Cape Town or just the
the FNB Stadium, will mark the "beautiful city" is no doubt a
start of the tournament. The venue that has it all. The city
other venue is the 94,000 seat sports a vibrant array of
Ellis Park Stadium, which is a beaches, mountains, wine estates
mere 15 minute walking distance and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
from the City Centre.
The Newlands Stadium has been
Here's a tip on where to around since the mid-1880s and
accommodate yourself on World Cup has hosted the 1995 Rugby World
kick-off day: Cup. Its security, parking and
FIFA's headquarters are going to administration capabilities have
be based in the suburb of regularly proven worthy of many
major sporting events. opening ceremony in 2010 and the
Kings Park Stadium, which has won
The Newlands area is central to critical acclaim from visiting
the best pubs, sports bars and officials and the media, has been
restaurants in Cape Town. The nominated as the location for the
stadium is literally just over semi-finals. The stadium stands
the tracks from a major brewery. less than a kilometre from the
Capetonians are known for their Indian Ocean allowing matches to
festive spirit and the atmosphere be played in the luxury of warm
is expected to be anything but Durban evenings.
bland.
Kings Park Stadium is roughly ten
Finding a place to stay won't minutes drive from the main
pose any problems. Most areas are hotels and the railway system is
within 30 minutes of Newlands, linked from the city centre to
including the airport. As outlying residential areas.
mentioned earlier, the stadium is
next to the train tracks and Although Durban has been
directly opposite the train mentioned as the favoured host
station, so you can catch a train for the opening ceremony and
from Cape Town Station to match, Johannesburg has received
Newlands, which is only 8km away, the same kind of attention. At
in less than 20 minutes. Plus you this stage there is stiff
don't have to do the driving competition between host cities,
after the festivities. which is a good thing as this
will make sure the best venue get
Durban is to host World Cup picked.
opening ceremony
Get ready for an African World
Durban will be hosting the Cup: Sun block, Passion,
Vuvuzela...
South Africa is a country in
As kick-off time draws nearer and transformation and we have come a
South Africa gets ready for a long way since the changes began.
global sporting festival of Preparations and renovations are
gigantic proportions, the blast already underway, ensuring
of the Vuvuzelas can almost be everything will be running
heard resounding through the air. smoothly and ready come 2010. Now
50,000 of them are now being sold the only big question left to
every month. answer is... will you be?
About the Author:
Icon Villas & Vistas (http://www.icape.co.za/) provide some of the best self catering and vacation rentals Cape Town has to offer. Locations are a stone's throw away from the city centre. Choose between the skylines of the CBD, the rocky coastlines of Camps Bay, or the quiet,
suburban avenues of Fresnaye.
Source: www.isnare.com
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