Welcome to the FIFA 2010 SWC, or should I say the FIFANC 2010 SWC?

As wonderful as the FIFA 2010 SWC is for our country and the African continent as a whole, it’s less than a week into the tournament and our country has to face the embarrassment of security guard strikes and seemingly co-ordinated protests that potentially threaten the image of our country’s ability to host this amazing sporting event.

So what’s all the fuss about anyway?

Stallion Security guards, who have been contracted to provide security services to several stadiums, are apparently unhappy with the wages they have been paid to date, although the exact details of their agreements with FIFA and the associated remuneration, remain in the dark.

At the same time, we have new protests from groups who are complaining about FIFA’s “World Cup profiteering” and their belief that FIFA seem to be the only winner. The protesting voices continue their complaints by adding that they feel the billions of rands spent on World Cup stadia could have been better utilised for education, housing and poverty alleviation for distressed South Africans.

The bottom line is, there’s no turning back now. According to several reports, the South African government was required to sign no less than seventeen guarantees with FIFA before being able to secure the rights to host the biggest sporting tournament in the world.

Why does it surprise people that billions of rands have been spent on stadia instead of housing and education? Why does it surprise people that FIFA seem to be calling all the shots in our country for the next month?

Deals have been made, agreements have been signed. We can safely presume that not one senior member of the ruling party, or the 2010 Local Organising Committee are surprised. They signed the contracts and all of the current “concerns” were very well documented in the “fine print”.

I for one am proud of our country for so far, putting on a show second-to-none and delivering on all of FIFA’s requirements.  When all is said and done however, the people of South Africa who need questions answered, should lay all their queries directly at the feet of the ruling party.

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