Security Issues at the FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa

Present situationSun City annually since 1981
Many critics are wary of visiting South Africa due toFor the WSSD, which was attended by about 37 000
possible security concerns. Visitors should askinternational delegates, South Africa pioneered a
themselves if they would be prepared to visit the moresecurity model that has been acknowledged as a new
unsavory areas of almost any large city in the world,international benchmark - and has since been adopted
alone, after dark?by the United Nations as its model for large events.
South African cities are no different. We have pettySouth Africa also contributed to the security plan for
crime and we have some violent crime, but overseasthe 2007 Cricket World Cup, with our SA Police
visitors are rarely on the receiving end of theseService being invited to assist with the training of police
incidents as most South Africans make a point ofin the Caribbean.
welcoming visitors to their country. We realize thatReality
tourism is an important component of job creation inThe simple truth is that South Africa will host
our country and this means ensuring that each andsuccessful world class football events during the next
every visitor to South Africa goes home with a goodtwo years that will be free from major crime problems.
impression of his stay. And our police force numbersWith millions of visitors arriving, the country, FIFA and
are growing. Which goes a long way to improving thetheir organisers and all stakeholders in these events
overall levels of safety and security that goes hand inwould certainly not be prepared to commit their
hand with more visible policing.reputations or their investments if any event was
Track recorddestined to fail, because of security issues. We all
South Africa's track record in managing world classunderstand what is at stake here, and as South
events speaks for itself. The country has over theAfricans, we will take whatever steps and do
past ten years hosted several global gatherings, suchwhatever is necessary, at whatever price, to ensure
as:o Cricket World Cup in 2003o World Summit onthat each and every visitor to our land, is welcomed
Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002o All Africaand enjoys a safe and truly memorable stay in sunny,
Games in 1999o Non-Aligned Movement summit insmiling South Africa. We hope you will be here to
1998o African Cup of Nations in 1996o Rugby Worldenjoy the magic, too.
Cup in 1995o The Nedbank Million $ Golf Challenge at