South Africans Unhappy.

[Andy_Porter]

Thousands protest against FIFA, World Cup excess

 

It's a story that's received virtually no coverage in the Western media, but thousands of South Africans held a march in Durban today to protest against the government's massive spending on the World Cup. They were joined by hundreds of stewards caught up in the ongoing dispute over low wages, which saw riot police break up a demonstration with tear gas and percussive grenades on Sunday, and which has now spread to five of the ten South African World Cup stadiums. From the Mail & Guardian, a South African paper:

 

"Get out Fifa mafia!" chanted the crowds in a Durban park, their ranks swelled by stewards who were involved in clashes with riot police on Monday after protests over their wages.

 

Monday's protests triggered walkouts by other stewards, which have led South Africa's police to take control at the World Cup stadiums in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban.

 

Ever since it was awarded the staging rights, South Africa's government has faced accusations it should not be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on stadiums when about 40% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.

 

Spending on the World Cup has cost South Africa around $4.3 billion, a significantly higher figure than was estimated in their initial bid, and due to a variety of factors, early hopes of a financial windfall for the country have largely been dashed. Ticket sales to foreigners have been slower than expected, and FIFA, thanks to the concessions it demands from any country that wants to host the tournament, is apparently paying no taxes on the event. FIFA expects its own World Cup profits to approach $3 billion from television rights alone.

 

In the meantime, the South African government has asked its citizens to use less electricity to ensure a smooth power supply for the World Cup.

 

"We urge our communities and the public at large to continuously reduce their consumption of electricity, and thus ensure that Eskom and other role-players are able to keep the lights on,” Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said.

 

The minister expressed satisfaction that the stadia hosting the games have not experienced any electricity disruption so far.

 

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Thousands-protest-against-FIFA-World-Cup-excess?urn=sow,248844

 

Good work from FIFA as per.

[Gorgiesaint]

I was reading this article on the BBC site earlier which highlighted some of problems when they built the stadium in Nelspruit. The village next door, which had its main road used to access the back of the stadium during contruction still has a dirt track as a main road - and no mains electricity or water. Shocking but not surprising given the alleged corruption surrounding the awarding of contracts.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/10217817.stm

[Saint_clark]

Completely agree with them to be honest.

[SuperMikey]

Completely agree with them to be honest.

 

+1

 

Went to Africa in the summer and saw the poverty and desolation that some people live in, and while South Africa is one of the wealthiest African countries in terms of GDP, there is still unbelievable amounts of poverty all over the country. While it's good that SA are hosting the world cup, I can't help but think that the SA government need to get their priorities straight and start thinking of the welfare of the South African people before sporting events.

[dubai_phil]

Totally agree. But to the list of FIFA you should add the airlines (Especially Emirates) and the Travel Agencies that block booked the hotels. 2000 POUNDS for an economy class ticket - TBH I totally support the protestors, have said for some time that this is the attempt to rip off fans WC, not just in SA but around the world with many bars increasing their prices.

 

FIFA need to sort their sh1t out or the WC will die for fans, even many of the matches are boring (apart from the Spanish)