World Cup pros and cons

Commenting on Patrick Bond's article , Pat Stevens argues that both Fifa and the South African government deserve credit.

Loss of large chunks of government’s sovereignty to the world soccer body Fifa. This is not a permanent situation but measures put in place for the World Cup, Fifa could claim that given the fact that the World Cup was successful, these measures were necessary. The soccer cynics prophesized that the World Cup would be an unmitigated disaster, they have been proved dismally wrong, so both Fifa and South Africa deserve credit for the success of the tournament. Rapidly worsening income inequality and future economic calamities as debt payments come due. It is a fact that the World Cup has assisted in attracting foreign investment, which may help to alleviate this situation, but I would agree that closing the income gap appears to be an unattainable dream. Dramatic increases in greenhouse gas emissions (more than twice Germany’s in 2006) That’s the price you pay for industrial development, unless like Germany you have the money to put emission controls into place, we’ll just have to learn how to breath more shallowly. Humiliation at becoming the first host to expire before the competition’s second round. Nonsense, the people responded magnificently, and remain proud of Bafana Bafana Soon, it seems, we may add another dose of xenophobia from both state and society. We certainly will, if the press keep reporting that it is going to happen. The 120-year old exploitation remains, Johannesburg companies rip off the region’s resources. This is very true, I addressed it forcefully in British Tribes of Africa, as you may recall. I also covered it in Hero of the Struggle, which goes to the printing press in 4 weeks, I will see you get a copy Professor Bond.