by Siyabulela Godwana 

 

On Wednesday, 03 December 2009, BBC Radio visited IkamvaYouth branch office in Makhaza Khayelitsha with purpose of hearing views on Township side of how we feel about the upcoming 2010 soccer world.  IkamvaYouth director (WC), learners and tutors responded positively saying 2010 soccer world cup will boost our economy and government will provide and deliver services to the people and improve and others responded negatively saying government has spent so much money in the soccer world cup which was introduced to us four years ago and so much billions has been investment on stadiums but education was existing for almost 15 years since democracy but still we are struggling resource wise in our schools and to obtain funds which can support us in getting properly qualified.  

Others said that development such as road maintenance, tight security, marketing activities and other development activities are only happening on the urban areas of Cape Town and other urban areas in South Africa but not on the townships, if you can walk or drive through Landsdowne Road from Makhaza at the moment there are some street lights that are not working and tourist will visit Khayelitsha in a little bit of darkness, this impression will negatively affect Khayelitsha because in the dark bad activities can happen.  The Government needs to also focus in all townships and make them ready to welcome the tourists with warm hands. 

On Friday, 04 December 2009 BBC Radio DJ Victoria Derbyshire and Paul Stanworth invited four Ikamvanities learners and tutors to where they were going to have live broadcasted in Long Street in Cape Town inside the restaurant for broadcasting pre-activities such as people coming in to Long Street to watch and support businesses around the street while waiting for the withdrawal of 2010 soccer world cup groups which was going to take place in evening at CCV hall. 

BBC radio is a worldwide media source which has billions of listeners worldwide. Victoria posed a question to four ikamvanities namely Phillip Mcelu, Nokubonga Ralayo, Ayanda Sawulisi and Siyabulela Godwana including the well known local and international and successful Bafana Bafana player who recently retired from playing soccer Lucas Radabe.  

The question was “How the soccer world cup impacts the economy of South Africa?” Phillip said that the soccer world cup will boost our economy because of the massive tourist market that will bring different massive currencies in South Africa and that will enable government to provide more services and enhance the educations and other systems of South Africa.  

Nokubonga said that rich people will always be richer and poor will always be poorer referring to the fact that soccer world cup has been introduced in last 4 years and huge amount has been used to in building the stadiums while their schools are lacking resources and much needed financial support. She concluded by saying government should start with basics. 

Ayanda said 2010 soccer world cup will change perceptions of many around the world about South Africa and bring the world into one unit He also said that after the 2010 the market will be diverse while increasing size and stability of the South Africa economy because of the unity between countries and South Africa. 

Siyabulela said that 2010 soccer world cup will positively affect the South African economy because of the high market, job creation as a result of new businesses opening. He said that it should be used as a tool of marketing strategy and communication which will result on more tax that will be paid to government but he concluded by saying businesses should use the 2010 soccer world cup as an marketing and communication element so that the tourists can remember their service and come back again to support them. 

Siyabulela asked a question to the government which says “What is the strategy implemented to keep the jobs and business which were opened for the 2010 ten world cup”? 

Lucas Radebe said that 2010 soccer world cup brings an opportunity to South Africans to explore the country in all different activities and categories and sustain the economy and prove that although they are still a developing country they have competency of handle such an international events with care, success and proudly.  He said that 2010 soccer world cup is not only about soccer, its enhancing the relationship between locals and international partnerships and an improvement of the government image.