We have passed the fifty day countdown point for the World Cup. There are certainly still concerns. Crime, of course, including worries about human trafficking being exacerbated by the presence of thousands of foreign tourists, remains a major concern, though general violence is far more of a worry than any other sort of crime. All has not been sunshine and roses for locals on the way to the Cup, as displacement of those living near the game venues has reminded people a bit too much of forced removals during the Apartheid years. The government seems to be struggling to come up with cash for the opening and closing ceremonies. And there are the probably natural fears that the event will somehow fall short.
But there are lots of signs that things are going to go well. This is especially true from the perspective of those selling tickets and hoping to lure tourists. The organizers rolled the dice a bit by spreading out ticket sales, embracing long-range planning over short-term cash infusions. But there has been “massive demand” for tickets to matches. Local fans have “turned out in droves” for over-the-counter sales. And the influx of foreign football fans is expected to be a boon to the country’s economy. Now it seems fair to as whether ordinary South Africans will be the beneficiaries of this wealth, and whether or not it will last beyond July 12. But there are enough positive signs to make at least one local cry “enough” to the naysayers.
