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Hate to be a pessimist but I just can't see what the ordinary South Africans are getting out of this World Cup. These huge sporting events, World Cup, Olympics etc don't really (IMHO) benefit 'ordinary' people. They may benefit the participants, the contractors, the marketeers, the makers of souvenirs and the corporate suits but not Joe Bloggs on the street. I don't think we should even try and make a case for large scale sporting events in any other way but mass entertainment.

Take the London Olympics in 2012. Great for the organisers, contractors, ad agencies ad infinitum. Will it benefit me - not one jot, probably just mean I have to pay more tax in one form or another. Lets not try and polish a turd. Its all about making money out of entertainment, nothing more, nothing less.

Will the South Africans show any less interest once their team are out. Who knows. I'm sure FIFA don't care one way or the other.

As a PS to my last post:

As the world is focussed on SA at the moment, should we not be asking why the lives of average black South Africans have not changed a great deal since the end of apartheid?

FedupwithGovt, if you hate such tournaments why are reading a blogg about it and leaving such misery for the rest of us to read. Of coarse Sport is all about entertainment why make such an obvious point, but these events are unique in the way they can bring people of different class, race and upbringing together. I was disappointed by the result as you need the host nation to do well to keep the excitement levels high...maybe if SA are finished can the vuvuzela be retired as well..would be good to finally hear some singing from the stands...

#1. If you think nothing has changed in the lives of the average black since he end of apartheid, maybe you dont really understand how bad it was.

The atmosphere looked great, let's hope with or without the host nation the excitements levels in SA are maintained!

#1, firstly, I agree with #4. No-one is claiming that the lifestyle of the average black South African is on a par with that of the average white South African in terms of affluence but to suggest that their lives haven't changed a jot since apartheid is absurd to say the least.

In this blog alone the example is used of blacks now being able to go into areas of the country from which they were previously banned. Apartheid was a regime that, under the guise of law, treated people differently - and blacks a great deal worse - because of the colour of their skin. I don't think anyone is pretending that SA is perfect but you really are scraping the barrel of pessimism there.

On your point re major tournaments: you are right to say that they are primarily about entertainment What's wrong with that? Would rather people were entertained by sports than computer games. And there are questions to be raised over the finance involved that haven't yet been fully answered. But everybody who uses the improved transport links in east London following the Olympics will have benefitted. Anyone who moves into the Athlete's village afterwards (much of it will become social housing). Anyone who uses the sports facilities built for it. Anyone who is inspired to take up a sport and sees their health and social life improve. Etc. etc.

Basically, anyone who sees the games as the opporunity that it is and decides to make the most of it. Reading your post, I have to agree that you are unlikely to benefit in any way.

3. At 12:38pm on 17 Jun 2010, Juicys78 wrote:
FedupwithGovt, if you hate such tournaments why are reading a blogg about it and leaving such misery for the rest of us to read. Of coarse Sport is all about entertainment why make such an obvious point, but these events are unique in the way they can bring people of different class, race and upbringing together. I was disappointed by the result as you need the host nation to do well to keep the excitement levels high...maybe if SA are finished can the vuvuzela be retired as well..would be good to finally hear some singing from the stands...

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Where did I say I hated tournaments like the world cup? My point was how do they actually benefit the people of the country they are staged in. I don't see mixing with people of any particular class a benefit. Please pay attention.

I think you are all missing my point. There is nothing wrong with entertainment, I'm all for it. What I object to is that FIFA etc try and justify it all by saying it will have such a positive impact on ordinary people's lives. I would like someone to give me definitive proof that this is what happens. It might be great while the tournament is on, what happens afterwards?

Re London Olympics. Spending billions of pounds for a few miles of railway line and some nice flats does not really do it for me.

This sort of infrastructure improvement should be the least a civilised society should be looking to provide, not as an add on to a major sporting event.

#6

In this blog alone the example is used of blacks now being able to go into areas of the country from which they were previously banned.

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Whoopee - that should make Mandela and all the other activists sleep easily in their beds.

We all suffer from the delusion that soccer success equals solving all the World's problems when patently it doesn't. Just wait until England's exit for all the economic doomsayers here to surface with great vengeance. I blame the media for hyping it up so much - constantly asking 'will football change this....will it change that?'...the come down after is always pretty horrible!

'Football' and 'pain' are common bed fellows and at best only offer temporary release from life's more pressing problems, we just prefer to ignore them.

#9 Surely the longest journey must start with a simple step? I rather suspect that hosting the WC as a united nation (even though there may still be great inequality and many other problems) is just another step on that road.

It's difficult to ascribe a tangible value to such events. For instance what price pride and memory? I for one shall be proud when we hold the Olympics and anticipate remembering them for a long time thereafter (I hope fondly). I'd hazard a guess that many South Africans may have similar feelings over the WC. Fair play to them, win or lose - they can still take something priceless from the event.

12. At 1:57pm on 17 Jun 2010, Quexlia wrote:
#9 Surely the longest journey must start with a simple step? I rather suspect that hosting the WC as a united nation (even though there may still be great inequality and many other problems) is just another step on that road.

It's difficult to ascribe a tangible value to such events. For instance what price pride and memory? I for one shall be proud when we hold the Olympics and anticipate remembering them for a long time thereafter (I hope fondly). I'd hazard a guess that many South Africans may have similar feelings over the WC. Fair play to them, win or lose - they can still take something priceless from the event.

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I just hope that once the WC is over people don't simply forget about South Africa and the deep seated problems that still exist in that country. It is good that SA is currently the centre of the worlds (football) attention. I just get the impression that the ordinary guy is very low on the priority list of not just FIFA but the SA authorities. FIFA is more interested in looking after its advertising rights than whether someone from a township has access to the matches.

#11 Paul wrote: Looking at Germany in 2006 and the way the nation got behind their team with a pride and unity that had not been seen before

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We don't really want to go there do we Paul.......?;) Seriously though, I see your point but it was the same even here in Euro'96 when England finally adopted the Cross of St.George over the Union Jack and cultures came together. That feel good factor ushered in New Labour in '97. Similar thing for France'98 with their multi-ethnic side...but did it last? National pride and unity is all well ang good, but it has to make a real positive difference. Interested to know what are 'important effects' and 'lasting legacy' as you speak of for South Africa after the short-term sporting euphoria has gone?

I think this World Cup is great for South Africa and FIFA are doing good things not just for South Africa but for Africa as a whole. Since this World Cup has begun I have learnt so much about the country, the cities, the communities and the history...with such focus on the country the whole world is learning more and seeing more of South Africa.
I have to admit I did not know much about its history and what the country had been through to get to where it is now but now I do and so do millions more people across the world, surely this is a good thing.
The World Cup is entertainment all sport is for the viewers, why not bring this to a country, Continent that is mostly overshadowed in the world.
So many jobs created, so much money invested into the country, surely is good.
FIFA are using money to create football schools across Africa, money to improve sports facilities and education...FIFA always reinvests the money they gain into society.
Not only that the pride and solidarity that has been provided through the World Cup is fantastic.
The media have a huge part in painting pictures for people and they do so most of the time for selfish reasons and so things become very distorted as they are now.
I have no doubt this will be great for South Africa and for its future surely having one world cup in this country is better than none at all. If only they can get through the last 16, come on Bafana Bafana!

I agree with JoC, Football or any sport for that matter does not have the power to change entire countries destinies, governments DO!. If the former were true then Brazil - the most successful country at World Cups would be as rich as the US by now. The fact that they're not, and that there are millions of people living in favelas or on the streets is a painful reminder that football is just an entertainment - that's all it is and ever will be. It is throught the power of good government and a truly inspirational leader that Brazil are now finally making strides economically and are an emerging force. If people seriously think Brazil's turnaround is due to the exploits of their football team rather than their present government then they really are stupid. Similarly with SA it was all started by the politics which dramically changed the image and destiny of the country back in the early 90's...and Mandela was key in changing SA's image not just abroad but there as well.

Back to football, I don't beieve that if SA were to go out in the group stages that everyone there would suddenly lose interest - they're not like the US whose fake intrest in the WC will end once they're out, SA's fans will follow it right to the final.

FedupwithGovt - I'm afraid you are right in your view that big sporting events do not really benefit the people who most need it as much of the money goes out and ends up back in Europe. Some may find this a very cynical and jaded view but its reality. Fifa can't change SA only the SA government can at the end of the day. Juicys78 - you clearly mis-read what fedupwithGovt was trying to say.

Many people have been saying why there are so few goals at this WC compared with previous ones....well I think its down to two things, firstly the ball is much too light and gets carried by the wind too easily therefore often falling short of or flying wide of the goal, secondly, yep its those vuvuzelas....the noise they generate means that players probably can't hear what each other are saying therefore there's a lack of communication running throughout the teams.

Germany seem to have done ok, but then the issue of them having several months to train with the new jabolani ball is a very controversial one, when other teams like England have had little time to get used to it. Not all footballs are the same. FIFA should NOT have launched this particular ball when it did, this was a big mistake as not all the teams at the WC have the same advantage. If they'd waited to just before the WC to lauch the ball it would have made alot more sense as every team would have been given equal advantage.

Three things I take away from the match last night:

1. Uruguay were very solid, they deserve to make it through to at least the quarter finals if only so that we can see more of Diego Forlan.

2. South Africa pinning all their hopes on a bunch of mediocre footballers was never going to solve anything. It's not like Rugby, where South Africa are actually good and the Springboks stormed to victory. Now they've spent 6 years building themselves up, wasting money on fancy stadiums, only for their team to inevitably come crashing out of the World Cup because they forgot that it's a lot more competitive than Rugby is. They still have a chance, obviously, but it requires a very precise set of results in the remaining games. South Africa needed a reality check - hosting the World Cup does not mean coming anywhere close to winning it.

3. Finally we might see an end to the ruddy vuvuzelas if SA goes out. I can't believe I saw Desmond Tutu yesterday essentially forcing vuvuzelas down the throats of a billion viewers - nobody outside of South Africa really wants them, we just have to endure them or watch the games on mute. They aren't a part of South African culture any more than foghorns are a part of American culture when they're blared at NHL and NFL games.

So much negativity...really typical of this country though so doesnt surprise me. You do know that they arent saying they are part of their history its just what they like to do when they watch football...like the foghorns in the US or the drums here at football games.
Seriously its football people who cares about the vuvuzelas or how the balls made...blimey, could we now just concentrate on the teams, games, who wins and enjoy the tournament for what it is.
Whether Bafana Bafana get through or not there is some great football to come.

African teams once again fail to impress thats the problem with the african teams they dont carry spirit or fighting harmony once they concede one goal thats it its like they have lost. As for the likes of cameroon,algeria and south africa they are actually one of the woeful africa teams compared to the likes of nigeria or ghana,ivory coast these medicore.

S Africa has such big problems, the world cup wont effect them at all.

South African football is at a poor level because the country is broken. The crime rate has dropped since the apartheid ended but the average life expectancy has also dropped. Drugs are destroying the poorest S Africans in a big way. The government is weak and self serving ( i know this is essentially the definition of government ), i dont think it even has the guts to say theres a problem.