News

World Cup leaves no quick wins for South Africa’s poor

12 July 2010

South Africa’s image may have changed after it successfully hosted the World Cup but the billions spent on the event had little impact on improving the life of poor South Africans.

Analysts said the real benefits of the World Cup — hosted in Africa for the first time — will only be seen in years to come.

The government hopes that the nearly 40 billion rand ($5,29 billion) spent on infrastructure and new stadia would be offset by the arrival of thousands more tourists as South Africa is rebranded by the event.

But many poor South Africans saw no benefit from the event, which is expected to add 0,4 percentage points to GDP growth this year and bring in around 370 000 or less foreign visitors.

Mary Masipa, a resident of Johannesburg’s Alexandra township which borders the wealthy Sandton financial district, said South Africa’s hosting of the World Cup had not improved her life and that of millions of other poor South Africans.

Zuma said last month that the World Cup would be a catalyst for development in Africa’s biggest economy.

Analysts said improved infrastructure, upgraded roads, airports and public roads would be the biggest legacy of the tournament.

“The clearest short-term benefits will accrue to specific sectors, tourism, retail and construction. But taking the longer view, the World Cup’s greatest legacy will be bigger and better infrastructure,” said Anne Fruhauf, Africa analyst at Eurasia Group.

“There is no question that the degree of unanimity about the World Cup and apparent mutual acceptance of each other by South Africans across ethnicity and creed has surprised much of the international media contingent in the country for the soccer — and delighted many of the foreign fans,” said independent political analyst Nic Borain.

“This is an asset that is banked for the future, whether as a driver of tourism or as a basis for expanded productivity,” he added.

Read more at TimesLive.