Crime has dropped in Khayelitsha by 70%, but do people really feel safe? Photo: Michiel van Balen via Flickr
The government recently released the crime statistics for South Africa as was recorded from April 2009 to May 2010. According to the SAPS incidences of crime have decreased in most categories.
The murder rate dropped with 8.6% and attempted murders occurred 6.1% less.
This could possibly be due to more visible policing in the run up to the 2010 World Cup. It is expected that next year’s figures will be even better, because it will include the stats from the period in which the Soccer World Cup was held in South Africa.
Before the stats were released, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that the statistics were not meant for “political point scoring”, according to a report by IOL. This should definitely be the case. What matters most is whether people actually feel safe in South Africa.
Recently, when it was revealed that crime in Khayelitsha had been reduced by 70% in the last five years, News24 reported on some political bickering between the DA and the ANC about which party actually was responsible for the reduction. (more…)
The animals in South Africa are also enjoying the FIFA World Cup, as long as the impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. Photo: Shine 2010 via Flickr
A mega event such as the FIFA World Cup can leave an enormous carbon footprint on the world. That is why South Africa has set out since the beginning of the 2010 World Cup to ensure a more environmentally friendly tournament with the Green Goal programme.
More than 450 000 tourists have already entered South Africa since June 11. More people and more cars in cities mean more carbon emissions, a greater usage of electricity and water and more waste. Resources were also stretched to build stadiums.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme’s website the Green Goal programme initiative is a result of a partnership between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
The initiative includes three major greening projects: renewable energy interventions in six World Cup host cities, an awareness-raising drive on green tourism and a UNEP programme to offset the carbon emissions of eleven World Cup teams.
Green Passport
Also part of the Green Goal initiative is the Green Passport project. The Green Passport is an international campaign to educate tourist on how to contribute towards sustainable development by making responsible holiday choices. It has been specifically adapted to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.
The Green Passport website shares information on where to stay, what to eat, how to get around and what to see and do in the host cities. In this way it “promotes tourism that respects the environment and cultures while triggering economic benefits and social development for the host communities”.
According to this website each of the host cities have their own greening projects for the World Cup.
Bloemfontein:
Pedestrian areas have been created in the central business district and 2000 trees were planted.
Cape Town:
Cape Town Stadium. Photo: Media Club South Africa/Rodger Bosch
The city launched a comprehensive Green Goal programme. The Cape Town Green Map shows the city’s green spaces and businesses that practice fair trade. Two recycling “drop off” facilities have been created to take care of waste from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Johannesburg:
In Soweto 200 000 trees have been planted, including more than 82 400 indigenous trees as part of the programme to green the township.
Nelspruit:
The rural community of the Mbombela Municipality are being educated and empowered to be responsible for the condition of their surrounding environment. Green-focused community businesses are being supported.
Durban's Stadium. Photo: Media Club South Africa
Durban:
Forest areas are being restored and replanted in the eThekwini Municipal Area.
Port Elizabeth:
Tour guides, accommodation owners, taverners, etc. were trained on responsible tourism practices and working with local crafters on the development of sustainable products and services.
Polokwane:
The Polokwane Parks Department has successfully implemented, and is operating a waste composting facility.
Rustenberg:
A pamphlet that provides information on climate change and waste management and what people can do in their everyday lives to make a difference has been circulated in schools throughout Rustenburg.
City of Tshwane (Pretoria):
New parks have been developed with a soccer theme and the city intends to plant a tree for every goal scored in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Fly the South African Flag! Photo: Media Club South Africa
The quarter finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup are here and all South Africans are being urged to take part in a national march to make sure that the second half of this great tournament starts with a BANG!
Some notable corporate companies, as well as the Department of Arts and Culture, Gauteng Province and Gauteng Tourism have asked South Africans to take to the streets tomorrow, 3 July, and wave their flags in what they call the Million Flags March.
Artslink said in a press release: “All citizens of the country are urged to wake up with the same spirit that we showed on 9 June when the crowds gathered in Sandton and other parts of the country to raise the flag for Bafana Bafana two days before the kick-off on 11 June. The benefits of the World Cup in most countries go down in their history books long after the first kick-off. How we treat our visitors, engage with them and ensure their safety in our country is crucial to the county’s tourism efforts.”
Photo: Henti Smith via Flickr
A specific route is planned for the march in Soweto. It will begin at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital via Maponya Mall, then to Jabulani Mall, Dobsonville Mall, Meadowlands to Protea Gardens Mall, then end at the FIFA Fan Fest in Elkah stadium in Soweto.
But in all parts of the country people are called on to wave the South African flag in support of their country’s hosting of the World Cup. The flags of other participating countries are also welcome as South Africans should continue to support the remaining teams in the tournament, even though Bafana Bafana have gone out with their heads held high. And of course blowing the phenomenal vuvuzela is encouraged!
More about the South African flag:
South African soccer fans wave their flags. Photo: Steve Evans via Flickr
The South African flag was designed by State Herald Frederick Brownell and was adopted on 27 April 1994, during the first democratic election in the country. According to Media Club South Africa the flag was first flown on 10 May 1994 – the day Nelson Mandela became president.
The “Y” shape of the flag symbolises the coming together of people from different racial, cultural, religious, political and linguistic backgrounds to form one united nation.
When displayed, the black triangle is meant to be on the left and the red band is meant to be on top. The South African flag is the only six coloured flag in the world and one of the youngest.
Wavin’ Flag
One of the official songs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is “Wavin’ Flag”, sung by Somali-Canadian artist K’naan, who has lived through the Somali Civil War. It was originally written in honor of the victims of the 2009 earthquake in Haiti. K’naan
joined hands with a group of Canadian artists in a fundraiser video called “Young Artists for Haiti.”
You can watch the World Cup Celebration Mix of the song below to get you in the mood for waving your flag tomorrow!
Creative Consulting & Development Works thinks the Million Flags March is an great initiative to sustain the amazing spirit of nationhood that has been felt in South Africa since the start of this tournament. We will be sure to fly our flags tomorrow!
Three fans blow their vuvuzelas at the Fan Park in Nelspruit. Photo: Coca-Cola South Africa via Flickr
For many South Africans, going to the stadium without a vuvuzela is like going to school without your books. The vuvuzela is a funnel shaped instrument that is blown by South African fans during the soccer matches and it is believed by many fans that it heartens South African players, especially when they have the opportunity to score a goal.
There has been some controversy in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa, about this horn. At the beginning of the World Cup there were calls for the instrument to be banned in stadiums, but FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Twitter that he would not dream of suppressing fan culture in any country. Now one sees many tourists walking around in South Africa with a vuvuzela in their nation’s colours.
Where does it come from?
A man at the Khayelitsha fan park blows his vuvuzela. Photo: Coca-Cola South Africa via Flickr
According to Wikipedia, the Vuvuzela, also known as Lepatata (its Tswana name) is an air horn, approximately one metre in length, commonly blown by fans at soccer matches in South Africa.
According to southafrica.info the ancestor of the Vuvuzela is said to be the Kudu’s horn (called ixilongo in IsiXhosa and mhalamhala in Tshivenda), which was blown to summon African villagers to meetings.
The origin of the name “vuvuzela” is disputed. It may originate from the Zulu for “making noise”, or from the “vuvu” sound it makes. According to Wikipedia the vuvuzela was originally made from tin and became popular is South Africa in the 1990s where it was often blown in matches between big South African soccer teams Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Different people claim to be the inventor of this instrument. Wikipedia says South African Kaizer Chiefs fan Freddie “Saddam” Maake claims he made an aluminum version of the vuvuzela from a bicycle horn in 1965 and he has photographs of himself holding this invention in the 1970′s, 1980′s and 1990′s. The Nazareth Baptist Church has also claimed that the vuvuzela is a holy instrument used in their church for decades. The plastic factory Masincedane Sport has mass-produced the plastic vuvuzela mostly used at soccer matches today.
A variety to choose from
Zakumi, the 2010 World Cup Mascot with a Kuduzela or Zazu. Photo: Media Club South Africa
There are different types of vuvuzelas, some made of plastic and others are truly works of art, covered in beads.
According to vuvuzela.com the new Sockzela is a vuvuzela covered with a removable fabric sheath in the colours of a specific team participating in the World Cup.
The Zazu or Kuduzela is a curved vuvuzela inspired by the horn of a kudu and developed into a designer musical trumpet by world renowned South African Industrial designer Brian Steinhobel.
According to Media Club South Africa there are even innovative people who are making vuvuzelas out of kelp found on South African beaches!
Different people have different views about the Vuvuzelas. Some like it because they feel that it is a symbol of support and that it shows unity among the fans. Some people hate it, because they feel it keeps people from paying attention to the game; they only focus on the noise made by the vuvuzela.
Like it or not, the vuvuzela is a part of South African soccer culture, so go to the stadiums or fan parks and show our visitors how to blow that vuvuzela.
Watch this video of a British television station’s explanation of the vuvuzela.
Referees have shown quite a few red cards during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The most memorable for South African fans will be the red card Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune received in the game against Uruguay.
It was France’s turn for a red card in their game against South Africa when Yousuff Gourcuff was sent off. Brazilian fans were upset when their team’s star, Kaka, was given a red card in their game against Ivory Coast. And last night, in their game against Spain, a red card for Ricardo Costa rubbed salt in the wounds of a loosing Portugal.
According to FIFA’s rules a red card can be given when a very dangerous tackle is made, when an opponent is fouled to keep him from scoring, when a player uses his hands to deny the opposition an opportunity to score, or when the player becomes abusive, offensive or violent.
Scrutinize, a national campaign being undertaken in South Africa by USAID/Johns Hopkins University/JHU Program, which aims to educate the public on the risks of HIV/AIDS, is now also using a red card in their campaigns. Just like a referee would produce a red card if a player exhibits dangerous behaviour, Scrutinize is urging South Africans to recognise dangerous sexual behaviour and “give it the red card”. Do not entertain it, simply send it “off the field” and out of your life.
Watch one of the animated Scrutinize TV commercials using the red card metaphor to highlight the dangers of risky sexual behaviour:
Because major events such as the Soccer World Cup creates the possibility for predators to perpetrate human trafficking, Free Generation International is also using the “red card” against forced labour and sexual slavery. Their website gives safety tips to members of the public and tells you how to recognise a victim of human trafficking. There is a toll-free number to call for help. To create awareness about human trafficking, you can download a picture of a red card and paste it to your website or send it to your friends and family.
Creative Consulting & Development Works is a research, evaluation and communications consultancy, servicing nonprofits, government and funders with innovative solutions in a development context.
On our blog, Development Talks, we discuss politics and social development. We are interested in the impact of politics on the ordinary citizen and the political activities of those on the ground.
