2010 FIFA World Cup Was Never Pledged As A Solution To All Social-Economic Problems
Yes, well, we received the following media release from Cape Town Tourism. Your call:
20 May 2010
“Recent news articles have favoured the sensational rather than the fact in decrying the lack of benefit felt by the poor ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™,” says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariette du Toit-Helmbold in response to media articles that South Africa’s FIFA World Cup project has failed its citizens. But, argues Du Toit-Helmbold, the FIFA World Cup was never offered as a golden solution to poverty: “Despite the fact that segregation was de-regulated decades ago, socio-economic factors have meant that townships are still very much a part of South Africa’s landscape. Government has been rolling out housing redevelopment programmes and building community infrastructures in townships for some time now and this has certainly made these communities more habitable. But poverty is the legacy of apartheid, as is the removal of people from their natural homes and it is something that government, business and community are still struggling to rise above. The FIFA World Cup™ has created jobs across a number of sectors but it is not the answer to all of our problems”
Many of the media stories focus on Blikkiesdorp, which has been labelled as anything from a ‘concentration camp’ to a ‘forced removals solution’. In fact, Blikkiesdorp is a temporary residence for people in housing emergency – including those people that will shortly be given permanent homes. Du Toit-Helmbold acknowledges: “Blikkiesdorp is far from an ideal living space and it does reflect the reality of life for many South Africans. But it is certainly not a comprehensive representation of Cape Town’s townships.”
Township tourism is a vital and exciting part of the Cape Town experience. A township tour was included in 80% of itineraries of the 122 international media groups that Cape Town Tourism hosted between January and May 2010. In Cape Town, tours are available in Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Kayamandi and Lwandle where experienced operators have worked with the resident communities to establish a safe and interesting perspective of everyday life in Cape Town. Interactive and socially attentive, these tours have the buy-in of the community.
Says Du Toit-Helmbold: “Tour operators are very involved in educating residents about the benefits of tourism and do an immense amount of social responsibility work there, negating any notions of exploitation. For many young township dwellers, this exposure to the tourism industry whets the desire to enter the profession. For others, such as crafters, restaurateurs and musicians, the tours are a lifeline to livelihood. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is not the answer to our problems but, in the long run, the continued growth and mindful sustainability of the tourism sector will go a long way towards helping many people rise above their circumstances.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Cape Town Tourism’s PR and Communication Manager Skye Grove, skye@capetown.travel, +27 21 487 6800 or see www.capetown.travel.
Released for Cape Town Tourism by
Rabbit in a Hat Communications
Tammy White
+27 21 447 3197
+27 73 202 5041
tammy@rabbitinahat.co.za
Hi please inform me if there are any initiatives to mass mobilize citizenry around greening the cup.
Thanks a million
Cell ;082 6719 854
cell;084 5889 171
I like the fact that township tours are so popular, but im not so sure that the social responsibility is injecting any change to the circumstances of the people. Some may have the opinion that it is money that changes things and contrary to that, I think its peoples mindset that change circumstances, if we could allow the people who live in the townships to be their own brands(marketing) and offer the tours themselves(business ownership) how much more would they realize the then (tangible) impact of tourism and this making sure they taking care of their surroundings, and owning the spaces which they occupy.
“But we built this and that, and put money here and there…” some may say, But i would like to ask how the community is involved and how are they owning some of the projects. is our social responsibility a charity or is it really having an impact?
Township tours could be so much more than just a human safaris if we could just empower local people to do the job…then we can say that we are doing something towards poverty alleviation.Our fellow South Africans would then have marketable skills and businesses as well. the possibilities for our tourism industry and our communities could be endless…
Just a thought