We’ll score, say South Africans

13 May, 2005

^{Heading to glory: Mayor Obed Mlaba, an avid soccer fan, is confident the city will be ready to host 2010 World Cup games, including a semi-final}

By Siyabonga Maphumulo

If the attitudes of the South African public about the 2010 Soccer World Cup are anything to go by, then the 32-nation extravaganza will bring limitless job and economic prospects to the country.

According to a survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the majority of South Africans believe there will be increased job opportunities and improved economic growth in the country thanks to the World Cup.

The survey sampled about 2 884 respondents nationally. About 85% of the respondents were positive that the event would improve South Africa’s profile in the international arena. Some 47% believed that the benefits of hosting the event would be long term, while 44% believed the benefits would be short term.

The survey probed the expectations of respondents for the country, the city or town in which they lived, and their neighbourhood, and for them personally. Many of the respondents opted for job creation and work opportunities as their predicted primary benefits from the World Cup.

The survey also confirmed that public knowledge and excitement about the event was high. Three quarters of respondents knew South Africa had been chosen by FIFA as the host country, with 93% correctly saying it would be held in 2010.

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