FIFA organisers see Zimbabwe as a crisis that has to be “solved quickly”
July 9th, 2008
It was announced today that tickets for Africa’s first football World Cup Finals (to be held in 2010) go on sale on 2 February 2009, a little over six months away. The organisers are not at all immune to the challenge that a despot on the doorstop presents for a successful World Cup – this via Reuters:
Political turmoil in neighbouring Zimbabwe was adding to a long list of problems South Africa faced in its preparation for the 2010 World Cup finals, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday.
“The situation in Zimbabwe has to be solved quickly. What is happening there is definitely terrible,” Valcke told a media briefing in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“It would have been nice for South Africa with all the other challenges they are facing not to have the problem of Zimbabwe on top of it all.” Valcke said FIFA backed various international initiatives to resolve the political impasse following the contested elections that returned president Robert Mugabe to power last month.
“We add our voice to concerns and we fully support what is being done by all international organisations.”
Thabo Mbeki is one of the most unpopular men in Zimbabwe because of his dithering over our crisis and the costs it has had for all of us, but I really wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if he loses South Africa – indeed, Africa – this amazing opportunity.
July 9th, 2008 20:56
Well, let’s hope that football is more important to Mbeki than people, and that this prompts him to finally do something….
July 9th, 2008 21:31
Some real facts about crime in SA. All the football spectators will need body guards to protect them from their rented rooms to the stadia.
There is a potential of day light robbery of some things (as petty) as trainers, warches and cameras to western people. And guess who will be blamed for this Zimbabweans who have been smeared with the grossest accusations ranging from HIV infection to armed robberies.
And Mbeki is not seeing a problem with this population of deprived people who get into South Africa and find a culture of stabbings, armed robberies as the only way to survive.
Ask any ordinary South African to define a Makwerekwere, Grigamba, refugee or whatever they call us and learn of the potential lethal nature these refugees are said to be capble of. It may be imagined but balieve me Mbeki has a lot of security atrategies to think of especially bearing in mind that his police are not lilly white when it gets to briberies and other realted misdemeanures.
July 9th, 2008 21:37
It is amazing that FIFA are hoping the situation in south Africa will change overnight after Mbeki’s dethering on Zimbabwe. What is going to happen to a million and counting Zimbabwean that are neither refugees or residents, the crime that is going over the roof while Mbeki talks to the dead who cannot hear him with his quite diplomancy. There is also the HIVAids and poverty crisis that goes on unchecked its a shame on Africa that such people are allowed to rule africa with all the arrogance and denial of such things as HIVAids and poverty. During the xenophombia crisis of black african against another I could not help it seeing an unending sight of shacks that houses most SAs and that they were willing to kill for such places. This shows why Mbeki will not want Zimbabwe to change because it will demonstrate him as a failure.In Zimbabwe people do not have accommodation/housing proper but not in the scale SA. SA companies are benefiting in the current crisis because they are buy Zimbabwean mines at a bargain and sell their products there too. Tourism has moved to SA and business that Zimbabwe has lost has gone to SA.FIFA wake up or you will preside of a shame of football tournament.
July 9th, 2008 22:01
As a South African, I have given up speculating about why Mbeki does anything, what if anything he cares about, or what his goals may be.
The man is an enigma, but not the interesting kind. All one can say therefore, is that elections are coming, Mbeki is going, and will be replaced by either Jacob Zuma (most likely) or possibly Kgelema Motlanthe. In either case, the policy on Zimbabwe is likely to be different, and there won’t be any more mystery about whatever it may be.
Whatever his other problems (and they are many), Zuma is too much of a populist not to care about Zimbabwe when the general South African population has such strong feelings about the situation there. There’s also the viewpoint that, unlike Mbeki, Zuma was involved with the internal struggle in SA and he knows what it is like to be trapped in a rural village waiting for government paid thugs to come and do their worst. He saw the carnage in KZN for himself and he has the imagination to picture what Zimbabweans are going through. That has got to be good thing, at least one hopes so…
July 9th, 2008 22:23
According to Eddie Cross’s website (see links under Zimbabwe), “There is plenty of evidence that those in power continue to loot the country and take as much out as they can – they are clearly nervous about the future and are trying to lay aside what they can find here. If you are one of the select few who have access to the Reserve Bank you can now buy a luxury car, brand new, for the price of a single cigarette.”
Churchill’s beginning of the end speech again comes to mind. Already now for the ordinary citizen, survival is only possible by making cross border shopping trips to find essentials.
Soon, not only will all supplies of goods dry up, essential services will no longer be able to be maintained. This, coupled with increasing and escalating violence will inevitably result in Armegeddon.
Is South Africa really going to wait for the complete breakdown of a society before confronting Mugabe with the harsh reality of his position? Or are they going to act swiftly to save both Zimbabwe and their own country, and at least show that African politicians also have the capacity to look forward and tackle crises in a sensible way.
July 9th, 2008 22:52
Perhaps South Africans will start putting pressure on Mbeki if they want the 2010 world cup to stay in SA. I don’t think Zimbabweans can wait until he loses his Presidency, they need help NOW.
July 10th, 2008 02:29
Hi Sokwanele, I am a proud South African – OR used to be!
For the record, Mbeki mostly tries to run this country on his own. Last year, when thousands of South Africans wrote letters to Mr Mbeki, informing him that we are sick of the crime in the country and that something needs to be done (please note that this was organised by First National Bank, You, Drum & Huisgenoot magazines, & many other leading companies, & was in NO way a small event) his reply on national TV to the south africans he supposedly serves was THAT CRIME WAS NOT A PROBLEM, & THAT IN FACT, CRIME FIGURES HAD ACTUALLY DROPPED COMPARED TO RECENT YEARS.
What kind of president does that? Tells the people (of a “democratic” nation) that they are being paranoid?
He then spent millions increasing the security of his house…hah?
Then, the next year, “Xenaphobic” attacks break out bcos impoverished south africans feel the foreigners are responsible for crime etc. when ACTUALLY the blame falls squarely on the government!!!!
The government claims to be addressing poverty, yet while millions are cold & hungry, they are changing street names – AND TO ADD TO THE INSULT, they have the audacity to decide that they are going to change the name of a street in Kwa-zulu Natal (the province bears the name for a reason – it is in honour of the Zulu’s & is densely populated by Zulu speaking south africans), A STREET THAT CURRENTLY HOLDS THE NAME OF A ZULU CHIEF IS NOW GOING TO BE CHANGED. How disrespectful!!!!!!!!
When it comes to Mbeki, I THINK THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE…
Why does he keep backing Mugabe? Why does he keep defending him? Why does he now contradict statements on democracy that he made years ago?
Does Mugabe have information about Mbeki that he is using as black-mail. If Mbeki takes the moral highground, will there be information leaked to the world about him being involved in fraud, illegal arms deals perhaps, causing wars all over africa? Would this perhaps include our police commissioner Mr Selebi, whom Mbeki refuses to fire? Would it include the Brett Kebbles murder, Jacob Zuma, most of parliament & all the other names that always seem to “pop up” in the media together?
I think… that Africa might be really shocked at what might be found out!
P.S. The above is my “Conspiracy Theory” and my opinion only.
I want to appologise to my fellow african brothers & sisters (I’m white, but you are still my family next door). I am so ashamed of my country, I am so ashamed of our government, I am especially ashamed that our president does not feel that it is necessary to save the lives of other human beings. I’m really, really sorry.
Dear Daddy in Heaven, please Bless the beautiful Zimbabwean people, look at their hearts and see their hope, see how they endure even through the suffering, I ask Lord, that You reach out Your Hand, lift them up, and cast the evil one out of their land. In Jesus Name and through the Power of the Holy Spirit I pray. Thank You Father, Amen.
July 10th, 2008 04:20
Good to see pressure from all directions all over the world is working. Let’s hope Mbeki will finally come to his senses very soon.
July 10th, 2008 09:57
I think it is unfair to say that the World Cup should not be brought to South Africa because of problems facing our neighbour Zimbabwe. If Zimbabweans are mad at Mbeki than that I can understand but why are they saying South Africans should have this opportunity taken away from them because of their problems? We in South Africa have our problems also. The food prices are constantly going up, the transport costs are always increasing and are underpaid and we are expected to produce miracles on Zimbabwe. What about the old ladies that has to feed nine grandchildren on her pension money which is below a thousand rand. She also has to send them to school. What about all those people who have to sleep on hospital floors just waiting their chance to finally see the doctor. I recently went to a supermarket and people couldn’t even buy meat because of how expensive it has become. If the World cup is moved who is going to suffer? nothing is going to happen to Mbekis salary instead that underpaid construction worker who has to feed his family. He risks his life everyday climbing on those tall walls building the stadium and sometimes doesn’t even have lunch to take to work. He will lose his job over a problem that Zimabweans can’t even solve themsleves. Instead they leave their country without and are willing to risk their lives crossing Limpopo river. If they can have the courage to face being eaten by crocodiles I truly don’t understand why they don’t have the courage to stand up for their rights. They go around demonstrating in other countries but never did it in their own country. I understand that they afraid of the harsh militias, but running away from your problems has never solved anything. They the ones who put Mugabe in power, they the ones that can remove him again. I just truly don’t understand why they let him stay in power for so long. We South Africans have our own problems too. I think it is selfish of them to expect us to do something if they can’t even be bothered to try and help themselves. It is so sad that Zimabwean children can’t go to school they are starving and some them dont even have shelter. We can only pray that God delivers them from their misery soon, but that all we can do, pray for them. Mbeki is trying to get the parties to sit down and talk that is a start. Maybe if both leaders were not power hungry and they wanted to help ordinary Zimabweans it would have happened by now. Between both Morgan and Mugabe none of them deserve to be leader, they are both self centred and will never achieve anything if they keep on pointing fingers at each other. If the World cup was taken away, will that remove Mugabe from power? I truly don’t think so Because it is not going to affect any leader, instead Africa will lose the chance to host the best tornament in the world. Im sorry if I sound cruel. but the Reality is i truly don’t know why people keep on calling for the World Cup to be removed from our country. Im South African and an ordinary citezen. We have a lot of problems and our finances are over stretched, As for Zimabweans calling for the World cup to be takens away from us I just wish they can tell me how that is going to help them remove Mugabe. Life goes on with or without the World cup. I don’t even benefit from anything the World cup has brought, I doubt I will even go to the stadium to watch matches. so for me the world cup is still going to be the same as the one in Germany,or Australi if it ends up there. Im going to watch it on tv and wake up the following day and go to work. But people dont have to lose their jobs because of a tyrant leader. Yes we understand the frustrations of Zimabweans but if South Africa was the land of plenty ask the refugees why do we have unemployed South Africans? let alone unemployed refugees. South Africans shouldn’t have to suffer because of what Zimbabweans think is going to help them.
July 10th, 2008 10:55
If mbeki has been in denial about aids, the Zimbabwean situation as well as the evil nature of his contemporary revolutionary, then he has a big lesson to learn from sport.
People should highlight to this myopic man the need for fair play, understanding the rules and abiding by them. This is what is expected in sport. We expect the same in politics.
Please expose, as much as you can, all the negatives about hosting the tournament there. Maybe he can wake frome his slumber.
I for one know that I will not go to SA. I WILL READ THE PAPERS. At least the facts about sport are not distorted.
As for crime let the world come and experience it first hand in SA.
July 10th, 2008 13:21
@ Noehn M
The point is this about the world cup…. To wake you SA guys up to what is your future in respect of Zimbabwe…We are not doing this to hurt you but to try and help you to see that if you all happily sit back and enjoy the fruits of the labour you gain from the having the World Cup then you will allow what is really happening in both Zimbabwe and SA slide…If you don’t get the World Cup maybe you would ask the questions of your leaders why? Answer…democracy is not in SA and you need to get it back too…Contented people rarely become interested in what is politically going on around them…SA has loads of natural resources and should in fact be able to collect enough taxes to cover every vulnerable crisis there and your government does not because they are becoming as corrupt as the Mugabe Regime is and before now we in Zimbabwe tolerated it as you are now and even some of us worked with it saying “Oh that is Africa as long as its not in my back yard: “Or what can I do?” But SA struggle for freedom was a long battle and those who were in it will not allow all that hard work slide into the ocean of corruption under poor leadership and neither should you…If you want the World Cup then you as an SA Citizens living in a democracy should be telling Mbeki to do his job as appointed mediator for Zimbabwe and get things sorted…..
July 10th, 2008 14:42
@ Noeh M: You are of course right to highlight the struggles of many South Africans.
If we help each other, we all grow stronger together. If Zimbabwe was a strong and healthy country again, food prices in South Africa would go down, and the prosperity of all of southern Africa would rise.
Mama is right – please remember the century of oppression in South Africa. Then try and give to Zimbabwe the same deserved compassion.
July 10th, 2008 22:36
I was very moved this morning to read Noeh M’s
brilliant comments regarding South Africa’s loss of the World Cup 2010, should FIFA ever decide to implement a ‘Plan B’ and moves the games elsewhere.
First, let me say that it would be a really devastating move if this were to happen. African football has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years, and the continent truly deserves a first hosting of the games, and South Africa is the perfect venue. not only would the stadium builders benefit, but countless others, including, of course, the tourist industry.
The main point to consider lies in the guarantees that a nation has to make to FIFA when signing up to these games. Apart from natural disasters like earthquakes etc. which nobody can be resposible for, there are other disasters such as wars and social unrest, which would make a peaceful progression of the games either impossible or difficult to manage.
It is true that normally, what happens in a neighbouring country should not be used to punish a host country. But in this case, not only are millions of displaced Zimbaweans pouring into South Africa, it’s very leader has it within his capacity to make a very real contribution to bring the situation back to some normality. The stakes are so high that any world organization with a major influence should use that influence if it involves a humanitarian disaster on a large scale. Thabo Mbeki has a contract with destiny which he and his government must address. South Africa has a contract with FIFA to hold the games. And contracts work both ways.
July 11th, 2008 00:42
This discussion is going in a pointless direction.
There will be no war with Zimbabwe. Crime has always been a problem for us; but as far as illegal immigrants are concerned, we’ve already seen a worrying tendency for the SA authorities to round people up and dump them back in Zimbabwe without even attempting to hear them out or consider asylum. That’s not something we want more of…! South Africa has been through this (meltdown of neighbouring countries) before, only in the case of e.g. Mozambique, it resulted in a flood of cheap automatic weapons. Compared to that, Zimbabweans are no threat, nor likely to be, to the established order here. They beg, they take menial jobs, they’re always on the run, they can’t set up bases over the border as Mozambican crime bosses have done, they cannot get the wherewithal to challenge the crime syndicates we’ve already got or the tough security in wealthy areas where politicans live. Zimbabweans here are 99% sad cases, not criminals, and those that are criminals would probably be here anyway since there’s nothing left to steal in Zim.
The Sunday Times talks about “Zimbodians” – the perpetual victims. I hate that, because I value the courage required to sustain a principled non-violent resistance. And yet… unless Zimbabweans themselves come up with solutions and start protecting their own communities more effectively as South Africans did in the struggle days, the triumph of evil will continue. That’s what we should be talking about, not new ways for Zimbabweans to make enemies out of ordinary South Africans who have invested much in this World Cup.
July 11th, 2008 03:10
@Sally
OK I don’t think any of us believe for a minute that the World Cup will or should actually be moved someplace else barring a social disaster in SA between then and now but I guess, like Beijing, it’s a good opportunity to protest.
But what you said has made me think twice, sally. SA is not to Zimbabwe what China is to Tibet, also because the ways Zimbabweans need SA differ. And regarding the same point, do you also mean the potential for a bit more cohesion in the Zimbabwean diaspora? Sorry, I’m slow and naive, but interested.
July 12th, 2008 20:36
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Zimbabwean in South Africa, both those who have been here for some time and those newly arrived, could join together, help each other, and speak with a more united voice!?
Actually, wouldn’t it be wonderful if anti-poverty and democracy activists in the whole of SADC could work together more. I just watched the BBC documentary “Escaping Luanda” and it brought tears to my eyes…Angola’s exporting more oil to the USA than Kuwait but the average wage is still about a dollar a day and almost nothing is spent on education, the people live in misery but some of them can still dream and make music. What a fantastic continent, what incredible potential we have…
It’s time that the monstrous political elites of Africa were called to order and made accountable, and who’s going to do that, if not us?!