World Cup it is here!
2010-06-10
Lise Beyers
FEEL it, it is here! Yes, tomorrow the long awaited 2010 Fifa World Cup kicks off at Soccer City in Soweto with an hour long lavish opening which starts at 15:00. Thereafter the national side, Bafana Bafana, take on Mexico in the first official clash of the World Cup. During the past few weeks soccer fever has truly hit the Drakenstein area, with hundreds of cars flying the national flag, as well as adorning side-view mirrors with flag socks. Proud supporters are seen daily wearing South African football shirts and are not shy at all to show where their loyalties lie. During the next five weeks, productivity is sure to decline, as avid football enthusiasts watch the greatest show on earth. Those setting off to Cape Town Stadium to watch live matches must however take note that strict regulations are in place concerning what is allowed and not allowed in stadiums. Regular flags and banners of no larger than 2m by 1,50m are allowed. No bags exceeding 25cm x 25cm x 25cm will be permitted. Cameras are allowed, as long as photographs taken are for personal use only. Vuvuzelas must be unbranded and no longer than 1 metre. No umbrellas, motorbike helmets, weapons, prams, laser pointers, hammers, bottles, cups, cans or jugs, fireworks, megaphones or gas horns will be allowed inside the stadium. Those who think that they can pack their own snacks and drinks for the match, can also forget about this. All food and beverages must be purchased inside the stadium. And don’t try and hide your banana or your wors between your legs - there will be body searches. Commuters must plan their trips very carefully. Access into Cape Town will be limited with countless road closures and there will be no possibility of getting your car anywhere close to the stadium. But do not fear. Millions of rands have been spent to upgrade public transport and additional train services will be available, up until 02:00 in the morning. Thus from Paarl it will be the easiest to take a train to Cape Town, and from the station shuttle services will be available to cart spectators to and from the stadium. Train rides on match days are free to those who are in possession of a World Cup ticket for the day. For train schedules, contact 0800-65-64-63 (toll free). There are also many park-and-ride areas around Cape Town, one of them is at Canal Walk. From here shuttle services will do the rest. Stadiums will open their gates three hours before kick-off and it is recommended that spectators be seated one hour before kick-off. So, hang on to your makarabas and vuvuzelas and enjoy this historic event.
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