It was a dubious sign when the news conference at RFK meant to promote South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 World Cup started an hour late on Thursday morning. But maybe it just showed that delays happen as frequently in the capital of the free world as they do in developing nations.
It also didn’t dim the enthusiasm of Filike Mbalula, the deputy minister of South African police, when asked about his biggest remaining concerns over his country’s preparation for next summer’s soccer spectacle.
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“Now I’m actually over the moon, over-enthusiastic,” said Mbalula. “I think we are ready. All systems are go, all the stadiums and all of that. Weather would have been a concern, but it has been addressed. I thought we would’ve been behind schedule. I think by December this year most of our stadiums will be up and running.”
It’s not to say that South Africa is short of challenges before June 2010, including not only transportation and accommodation for visiting soccer fans, but also the country’s reputation for violent crime and the perception problems it creates both at home and abroad.
Mbalula called the South African media “unpatriotic” while reminding that increases in police training and manpower won’t completely eliminate the threat of petty crime.
“I’m just saying that if such a thing happens, that it will have happened in Germany and Korea,” said Mbalula. “People have been pick-pocketed and people have been robbed in their hotels. All of these things mean yourselves as people coming into our country must take responsibility for your safety in our country.”
