National News
Businesses angry over Cup
2010-05-26 08:09
Email | Print
Johannesburg - A group of Alexandra business people threatened on Tuesday to stop World Cup-related projects in the township because they have been excluded.
The Alexandra Traders' association said in a statement: "FIFA may have bought all of South Africa, but they have not bought Alexandra.
"If you will not deal with us in good faith, we will also show you that it is our township and nothing will happen in this township...nothing will happen in Alexandra without our participation."
The statement followed a protest last week that resulted in talks with the City of Johannesburg.
Backtracked on promise
The businesspeople claimed the city backtracked on a promise made by local councillors to give them contracts for cleaning, catering, printing and providing linen and called discussions a "smokescreen.
"Our conclusion is that the government and FIFA are not dealing with us in good faith," the statement read.
The organisation complained that local minibus taxi companies had been ignored for World Cup transport and outside operators were being used.
They also said they had been excluded from work on the FIFA-related project Football for Hope.
They accused the project's co-ordinator Seth Naicker of "arrogance".
"He is not an Alexandrian and he will not dictate to us what will and will not happen in our township. Nothing will come in and or out of our township for this tournament."
They accused Football for Hope of maintaining a pretence of social benefit while sidelining locals.