FIFA says technical experts are working on improving the World Cup ticket selling system. The slow system saw chaos erupt at ticket points where the first over-the-counter tickets went on sale across South Africa yesterday. Half a million tickets are available in the fifth and final phase of ticket sales, but many of the fans […]
World Cup ticket chaos
The final World Cup ticket sales phase, marked by poor organisation and IT chaos, has left thousands of hopeful fans dismayed and angry. Many fans were forced to wait hours to process a ticket application, as Fifa’s booking system repeatedly crashed. The computer failure affected all 11 Fifa ticket offices and 600 FNB branches made […]
South African police stage mock World Cup crowd control exercise
The South African police staged a mock crowd control exercise, demonstrating the skills learnt from the French Gendarmerie ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June. The exercise was focused on testing the police readiness to face violent and unruly football hooligans, who are likely to descend on the country to watch the games — […]
South African icons 'Join the Voice' in bid to boost Bafana
Former president Nelson Mandela, President Jacob Zuma, FW de Klerk and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu have added their voices to a campaign backing Bafana Bafana in the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The campaign aims to attract 10 million SMSes in support of the national team – a feat which will then be entered into the […]
Tourism Minister Van Schalkwyk leads the way to Zimbabwe
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk ’s trip to Zimbabwe this week, where he will conclude a tourism accord with his Zimbabwean counterpart Walter Mzembi, signals a clear change in sentiment towards that country. After years on the sidelines, the trip reflects a new optimism among hotel operators who believe that it is time to re-enter […]
South Africa: still no info on kidnapped officers
Police were still in the dark late about what had happened to four South African peacekeepers kidnapped in Sudan. “I am deeply concerned that no information is forthcoming about their whereabouts and I earnestly appeal for people in the know to please come forward with information,” police Commissioner General Bheki Cele said in a statement. […]
Obama to attend any US World Cup final
US President Barack Obama would head to South Africa to cheer for the US football team if it reaches the World Cup final later this year, the South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister said on Wednesday. “I remember him saying that he would maybe consider coming if the American team goes to the quarter-finals, […]
South Africa: Motlanthe in Eastern Cape for anti-poverty campaign
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe arrives in the Eastern Cape today on a two-day visit to assess launch sites for the War on Poverty Campaign and the roll-out of service delivery at Lubala village in Lusikisiki. The War on Poverty Campaign was launched in Lubala village in September 2008 where commitments on service delivery were made. […]
South Africa, Tunisia can contribute to Africa’s growth – Motlanthe
South Africa and Tunisia, working together, could contribute to Africa’s development, visiting South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told his hosts in Tunis Thursday. Dep Pres Motlanthe, who ended his two-day working visit to Tunisia on Thursday, said the two countries could contribute to Africa’s development through bilateral action and through the New Partnership for […]
Presidents Lula, Zuma joke about World Cup clash
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva joked on Thursday that he expected the hosts to play Brazil in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. “For those who don’t know, this photo reflects what will be the World Cup final,” Lula told photographers during his meeting with South African President Jacob […]