South Africa gets ready for the World Cup

SOUTH AFRICAN President Jacob Zuma was at Wembley last week to reassure UK football fans travelling to the World Cup this summer over safety.  “When we say we are ready, we do not exclude the question of security, we include that.”  He was diplomatic in not answering a question over support for England’s 2018 bid prospect, but like others before him, clearly impressed with the home of football.  Twelve ministers accompanied him to the press conference.  Sadly questions were limited (by time constraints we were told) to the BBC and South African Broadcasting.  Around 450,000 foreign fans are expected to visit South Africa for the World Cup, including 25,000 from the UK.  Agents and airlines are still offering availability.  South African Airways is partnering with MATCH, the official hospitality provider for FIFA, to lease additional aircraft in order to operate a round-the-clock domestic schedule during the tournament enabling fans to select a base city and fly to a match and return the same evening.  Kick-off date is 11 June. www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

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