World Cup in south Africa. The Refs maybe fair but what about the government?
Its under two weeks till the FIFA World Cup begins. As you probably know, this year, for the first time, it is being held in South Africa and you might have heard of all the preparations which are going on in the country. One of which is disgraceful.
The government is trying to spruce up the image of the urban areas which visitors are going to see. But their plans include:
Moving poor from the streets and from illegal squatter camps into 1,500 corrugated iron shacks nicknamed Tin Town
Clearing the streets of beggars and homeless people
Arresting prostitutes
Up to 8 family members are being housed in the corrugated shacks and there is a night time curfew.
This seems to me to be a breach of people's human rights and freedoms and contradicts everything Nelson Mandela has tried to do in South Africa. It has also angered people campaigning for the rights of street children and the poor in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela has put together a group of international statesmen and women who have said that the World Cup will be of great help to the country. However, how can shutting people away in tin can sheds be of any help to their citizens and their reputation?
Please express your opinion on the matter in comments below. Thank you!
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Comment by Azaan Akbar on June 1, 2010 at 21:38 -
It's interesting you say that - I have a South African teacher who said he doesn't look forward to the World Cup, particularly because it took down a whole school simply for a two-monthly event. An infrastructure that will be used for simply a month or two over a school - which will remain to give an education for generations.
However, in one way, the World Cup is good. It brings together nations to celebrate humanity in a simple platform - sport. The World Cup isn't simply about football - many side projects, particularly 1GOAL, are at the core of the World Cup and many charities work on ensuring that people affected aren't left with nothing. World Cups are important for a number of countries, particularly after they have hosted one - it generates much tourism, and in a country such as South Africa, the money would be invested back to the people.
I believe the upcoming World Cup to be a momentary freeze for people's lives, but a long term investment for the South African nation.
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