Rhino Africa would like to congratulate Spain on winning the last game, and South Africa for winning the World Cup. Well done South Africa – you’ve done us proud.
We’re now a part of a World elite – only 15 countries have hosted the World Cup. Last night Soccer City in Johannesburg came alive, delivering a spine tingling closing ceremony and a fittingly gritty final. And what a treat to see Madiba’s beaming smile presiding.
The World Cup, held for the first time in Africa, has seen:
– 1 million people pass through the country’s borders since the start of June;
– stadium attendances beyond those of the past four World Cups, at a total of over 3.2 million – second only to the US in 1994;
– more than five million people at the official Fan Fests, locally and abroad;
– at least R12-billion injected into the economy, with SA Tourism predicting each visitor would spend at least R12,000;
– the largest TV audience for a sporting event in South Africa’s history;
– the most profitable World Cup in FIFA’s history. Football’s governing body made $3.2billion from selling it’s marketing and television rights alone;
– the local SA Football Association is set to pocket $77million from ticket sales for soccer development.
There is a charming story in an article in the New York Times about the success of the World Cup and how the scaremongering about crime in South Africa was blown out of all proportion. The World Cup has proven to be the most phenomenal advert for this fantastic country. The criminals in South Africa made an even more indifferent showing than the French players. As South Africans, we all knew how special this country is, now we’ve been able to tell the World. We look forward to welcoming more and more tourists to explore our magnificent home.
