The response from South Africa’s neighbours has been overwhelmingly positive about the direct benefits to the region of the successful bid to host the football World Cup, the largest single-event sporting activity in the world, in 2010.

President Thabo Mbeki’s commitment to make this an African World Cup was received enthusiastically, as it will raise the profile of the region and the continent as a mature and stable investment destination, and add dignity to the perception of African people and countries.

Southern African leaders meeting in Dar es Salaam on 15 May, the same day that results of the bid were announced in Zurich, warmly congratulated the South African government, through Deputy president, Jacob Zuma who was present at the SADC Summit.

The SADC chairperson, President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania said he was “delighted” at the awarding of the bid, describing it as “a great achievement for us in the Southern African Development Community.”

A spokesman for Alpha Oumar Konare, who chairs the African Union commission, said “the whole of Africa has much to benefit” from an event that “will also help to change the image of Africa from that of conflict to peaceful activities such as sports.”

The SADC region expects to benefit directly as well as indirectly through the potential strengthening of the South African economy and its proven track record for sharing the benefits through increased investment in neighbouring countries and elsewhere on the continent.

Afirm of accountants has estimated that the games should generate direct income for South Africa of R21.4 billion, and that millions more would follow in long-term investment and tourism benefits.

National sports and tourism bodies in the region predicted a surge in sporting links and long term economic benefits, while the same accounting firm worried that the overall financial flows could be negative for the region if too many fans go south for the games!

The President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa announced plans to build three modern stadiums ahead of the 2010 World Cup, saying the event would also benefit his country’s economy. “It is very likely that some teams will consider camping [training] in Zambia.”

National sports organizations recognize the potential for sporting contacts as well as income flows. Rafiq Khan, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Football Association, which is bidding for the Africa Cup of Nations for 2010, said, “We are going to feed off South Africa’s preparations for the World Cup.”

Khan predicted that, “A lot of teams will come and camp this side, maybe for a month on their way to South Africa and this will greatly improve our standards.”

The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana has projected economic spillover benefits in tourism, the hotel industry and other service providers including transport and tour operators, predicting that foreign visitors will be attracted to its world-famous wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Okavango Delta.

The President of the Botswana Football Association, David Fani, noted the challenge to Botswana footballers to take advantage of opportunities offered by the World Cup competition to improve and develop the local sport.

In Namibia, the permanent secretary of Trade and Industry, Andrew Ndishishi, predicted economic benefits in tourism, transport and service provision, due to Namibia’s proximity to South Africa. “We will definitely market our services as a package.”

Tulimeyo Kaapanda of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce called on businesses to prepare themselves well ahead of time, saying that “six years in reality is not that long to go.”

Mozambique’s Maria Mutola, known as ‘the Maputo express’ for her prowess on the athletics track, said this is a “real vote of confidence in South Africa’s growth over the past 10 years of democracy.”

The chief executive officer of South African Tourism, Cheryl Carolus, reinforced this point, saying that winning the 2010 bid means that previous negative perceptions could be reversed and tourism would be one of the many winners.

“This recognition will have an enormous impact on the perception that potential visitors will have about South Africa as a world-class destination and on our increasing reputation as a major tourism leader,” Carolus said.

Surpassed only by the multiple events of the Olympic Games to be hosted this year in Athens, the football World Cup is the next most prestigious and lucrative sporting event in the world.

The President of the International Football Association (Fifa), Sepp Blatter, delivered on his commitment that the World Cup would be held in Africa in 2010, and then it was left for South Africa to battle it out in the bidding with four North African countries of Morocco, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. Blatter said he was thrilled at the quality of the presentations from Africa, describing them all as “intelligent and elegant”.

The South African technical presentation was sound, most of its stadiums are already in use, and there was full backing for the bid from an enthusiastic government as well as business, sporting and community leaders, including former President Nelson Mandela. The South African bid team included football stars such as Kalusha Bwalya from Zambia, as well as Abedi Pele, George Weah and Roger Milla from west Africa.

President Mbeki delivered a strong and impassioned presentation of his government’s support for the bid in Zurich, and during celebrations back home following the announcement, his main message was that South Africa will do its best to ensure involvement of other African countries, including those who bid and lost.

He called on all Africans, including those in the diaspora, to play an active role in making this a truly African event. His second message was that the work would have to begin now to ensure success in six years time.

The event is also expected to give a boost to a number of high profile infrastructural developments, including the rapid transit railway between Pretoria and Johannesburg, and the Statue of Freedom in Port Elizabeth. ?