There is much to do before 2010

DEPENDING on how big our vision is for 2010, the soccer World Cup may mean a lot more for Port Elizabeth than an influx of visitors and a new R250-million, 50 000-seater stadium.

There are many major projects in the pipeline and if the metro is to capitalise on the excitement of 2010, much will have to be achieved during the next six years. The hype has taken an early hold, and the metro council, to its credit, is in an excited spin about where to start.

To get a clearer picture of the economic tidal wave that is headed our way, consider cricket chief and executive director of the 2003 cricket World Cup Ali Bacher’s assessment. Bacher believes that the projected R21-billion bonanza for SA is way less than we can actually expect. The cricket event, he says, attracted 18 500 visitors and generated R1-billion. But an estimated 400 000 visitors will be drawn to SA in 2010.

The mind boggles. Where will these people be accommodated and how will they be transported?

For tourism here is an unprecedented opportunity, probably never to be repeated. Should Port Elizabeth not fast track spectacular developments such as the Freedom Statue project and all that will ultimately surround it – the peripherals such as hotels and restaurants, conference facilities and commercial attractions.

Madiba Bay is another project that can benefit and the proposed Coega giant “signature bridge”.

Of course thousands of cash-flush tourists could give muggers and criminals a magnificent incentive, but what havoc that would cause the goodwill we are hoping for. It is time to tackle crime in a big way and to launch that much needed municipal police force.

There is work to do. Let’s get going.

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Jake White showing his colours?

ALL rugby coaches seem to have personal player preferences and new coach Jake White is obviously no exception, which must raise questions over the way Springbok sides are chosen.

During Andre Markgraaf’s brief tenure he immediately dismissed captain Francois Pienaar, fresh from SA’s World Cup victory, saying he did not believe Pienaar had a role to play in our rugby future.

Carel du Plessis who followed was too innovative for his own good and did not last long. Nick Mallett dumped Gary Teichmann for injured Bobby Skinstad after Teichmann had led South Africa to a record undefeated run. Then along came Harry Viljoen who experimented continuously to little avail before handing over to dour Rudolph Straeuli, who steered SA down a path of total humiliation.

The one thing in White’s favour is that SA rugby probably can’t fall any further.

White has immediately defined his early career with several puzzling selections, none more so than the total exclusion of young Luke Watson, who was consistently good in the Super 12 series. And back like a ghost from the past comes glamour boy Percy Montgomery after a reasonable season overseas. There are other selections which may be seen as puzzling.

Hopefully White will prove us wrong, but going by the two sides he has named, we may need a little more convincing that our woes are over just yet.