Much ado about nothing – Confed Cup branding bungle

Been to OR Tambo International Airport in the last week? What would you expect to see right now, during the much-feted Confederations Cup? Why banners, of course, welcoming much-needed tourists to our country and the event.

You'd think the roads would be lined with kilometre upon kilometre of branding on the soccer, South Africa and all its glories - not to mention flags of the competing nations.

What do you see? Nothing!

As of writing this - three days into the event - there is not a single piece of fabric or plastic blowing in the wind. As you drive into town there are frantic gardeners trying to put together verges that show soccer balls and 2010 in stones. Well, at least those will be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Is there a company out there who was employed to do this? Did they get the dates wrong perhaps? Or is this just another case of third world bumbling?

And what about the mess that's Coca-Cola Park - aka Ellis Park. What do our guys say? "Well, yes, but you have to remember this competition is about finding out where we could go wrong for 2010 and ironing out mistakes." But how can you get the most basic things so wrong. The park-and-ride mess, the toilets, the seating problems... The list goes on.

Yes, the big shots declared the opening a success - but then again they were probably whisked to the event in limos, taken in through VIP entrances to VIP boxes!!! The eyes of the world are upon us - what an opportunity to dispel the myths that are stopping people from visiting this country. And make no mistake, people overseas, especially in the UK and the US, are scared of visiting what they see as ‘crime-ridden streets with murderers on every corner'.

We need visitors, from the minute they arrive at OR Tambo, to feel welcome and impressed at the first world organisation of this event. At the cleanliness of the streets and stadiums, the friendliness and helpfulness of our police and officials. It's not as though this was something suddenly sprung on the Confederations Cup organising committee - it's had years to prepare - how can it not be ready?