’)Will World Cup Benefit South Africa’s Poor?
Don Thomas
The 19th FIFA World Cup tournament is already well underway in South Africa. For years now the country’s image has been marred by insidious poverty, murder, and racism. Apartheid has ended but blacks still remain in shacks without electricity, food, and water while their white masters are accommodated in well fortified houses. The games are expected to generate revenue for the country but many are wondering if conditions will really improve.South Africa spent an estimated £2.9bn on revamping stadiums for the games. The total cost of the World Cup to the impoverished country is probably closer to £5bn. While these eye catching stadiums were being resurrected protesters peacefully held signs, one which read "You build stadiums in a short space of time but you failed to build houses in short space of time." Last year while stadium infrastructure was being upgraded 70,000 workers went on strike in protest of being grossly underpaid. This is only one example of the widespread abuse that critics say still exists in the country. Jobs were obviously created but at the same time not enough was done to decrease poverty.
It will be months or possibly years before we can officially tell if the World Cup improved South Africa’s image and effectively fought poverty. It will be very interesting to see what will become of the country in the near future.