Here’s a weird bit of news that’s sure to affect people’s experience at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in a few months: A company called the Kelp Environmental Learning Project (K.E.L.P) has introduced an environmentally friendly vuvuzela.  Here’s a video about it:

Apparently the group, based in Kommetjie, South Africa, use dried kelp horns to create vuvuzelas which are painted and branded.

I’m still not entirely convinced that vuvuzelas should be allowed at the World Cup matches, but if you insist on bringing one, now you have a cool “green” option. And heck, I bet you can make a nice bowl of soup out of it when your done too!

Posted under 2010 World Cup

We’ve recently launched a “Wall of Supporters” on the website for our 2010 FIFA World Cup-centric initiative, South Africa Project.

A minimum of ten dollars buys you a spot on the wall. In exchange for your donation, your personal avatar is posted and provides some visibility for your online presence including a searchable URL. Via use of rollovers, other wall viewers are able to access your customizable profile, personal website, Facebook page,Twitter feed, etc.

One of the reasons Ubuntu Now launched South Africa Project is our conviction that in addition to enjoying the World Cup,  fans and non-fans alike should use this time of celebration to make a contribution and show their support for the people of South Africa– after all, it would be a travesty to gloss over the country’s issues at this crucial time.

Even the minimum $10 donation to the South Africa Project goes a long way. A $70 contribution provides a community with a rape prevention education and promotion kit, $400 can put a community mobilizer to work, and $1,000 sponsors a comprehensive community workshop on the subject. More information can be found at the website for One Man Can, the initiative spearheaded by sister organization in South Africa, Sonke Gender Justice. Read More…

Posted under 2010 World Cup, Everything Else

The ongoing debate as to whether the sex trade in South Africa should be decriminalised or legalised has gained momentum as the 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches. In this article we take a look at various reasons why this should happen, and ask for your feedback.

The decriminalisation of sex work is recommended in South Africa’s HIV and AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan (2007-2011), and supported by both South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), but the process of changing the law remains under the South African Law Reform Commission, which began reviewing the Sexual Offences Act seven years ago. An initial bill for parliamentary debate is not expected to be ready until March 2010, and any changes in legislation would not be passed before 2011. In the meantime, advocates of decriminalisation have called for a moratorium on arrests of sex workers during the World Cup. Read More…

Posted under HIV / AIDS

The South African government announced today that it will not issue a visa for the Dalai Lama to attend a peace conference meant to deal with Xenophobia and overall violence in hindsight of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

As a result Desmond Tutu and F.W. de Klerk have already pulled out. The move is seen as a way to avoid conflict with the Chinese government even though South Africa denies it. Why else would you not let the Dalai Lama in.

Other countries have been way more diplomatic in their way to deal with the Tibet problem.

The South African government seem to be fairly dependent from trade with China. The peace conference is doomed to fail as a result. Maybe it is better hosted somewhere else.

The signal sent is that non-violence and peace might not seem to be top priorities. The government will give in to threats by powerful forces. That could have implications in South Africa’s efforts to present itself as a safe place for visitors to attend the World Cup.

Keep in mind that China is not the biggest force in World Soccer. No matter how big their efforts. China has maybe won this battle. On the pitch in 2010 they’ll be a non-factor.

Banning the Dalai Lama from a peace conference feels a little like banner a soccer ball from the game.

Posted under 2010 World Cup, Everything Else

In a previous article (see Is South Africa Ready for the World Cup?) we talked about the ceremony at Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium commemorating an important construction milestone. This might quite logically leave you wondering how many stadiums are actually going to be involved with the FIFA World Cup.

The answer? Ten, in nine different South African cities.

Specifically, five of South Africa’s football stadiums will undergo major renovations for the World Cup: Ellis Park and Soccer City in Johannesburg, Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Mafikeng in North West Province and Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein in the Free State.

New stadiums are also being built at Mbombela in Mpumalanga and in the Nelson Mandela Metro (which encompasses Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape. Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane in Limpopo is being completely rebuilt, as is King Senzangakhona Stadium in Durban and Cape Town’s Green Point stadium.

Kings Park and Green Point stadium are being redesigned as part of the project to become multi-sport facilities (cricket? , and Green Point will include a retractable dome to protect the field from the Cape’s unpredictable winter weather.

How much will all this construction cost?  You don’t want to know. You do?  The initial budget was set to 9.8 billion rand (1.28 billion dollars), but as with just about all construction projects, it’s already apparently over budget. So it’s a big, big job and we’re certainly hoping to see beautiful world-class sports facilities that include top-notch video equipment compatibility so that those of us that don’t travel to South Africa can enjoy the games at each of the ten new venues.

Posted under 2010 World Cup