Winning the World Cup and its Obligations

The acknowledgement by FIFA that Africa is fit to host a Word Cup is an important psychological fillip. Nothing galvanizes the people of Africa like football and the ability to host will be seen by ordinary people as a long-awaited recognition that Africans themselves are in the top league amongst the nations of the world. The confidence shown in Africa as a continent is what Africans sorely need. They need to feel wanted, respected and above all, capable of providing services and 'standards' long set by Western nations. The World Cup affords the continent a unique opportunity to set the record straight – that Africans can and will perform to the highest standards.

While Africa and its peoples will shine as a result of the awarding of the event, it is crucial that South Africa's good fortune is infused throughout the continent. Geographically isolated as we are, the rest of Africa must feel part of the spin-off. It is natural that this country will enjoy the lion's share of internal infrastructural development and tourism, but at all times, must be magnanimous in at least allowing commercial interests from across the continent full access to the event – perhaps even at a preferential level over other non-African nations. With an event of this magnitude, greed can derail the potential benefits.

But for all the emotional advantages to the African people, the key benefits of the World Cup success will be felt politically at home. With six years to build stadia, improve roads and transportation and thereby provide an exciting new physical environment, the event will nurture a 'feel-good' factor well in excess of its own short one-month duration. Given the timing of the announcement of the winning country just co-incidentally after the third democratic election and ten year democracy celebrations, Thabo Mbeki could not have wished for a better start to his second term in office.

For Mbeki, the awarding of the Cup may be seen as the ultimate prize for the ANC's resounding election victory. Voters voted for the ANC and within a month have been rewarded with the soccer World Cup. Naturally, the events have no pre-ordained correlation, but their proximity will allow Mbeki's huge support base to feel rewarded by the event. Voters will feel that they got more for their vote – a bonus.

Bulding the necessary capacity to host the games will involve South Africa in an infrastructural overhaul. Not only will construction boom, but South African (and hopefully African) companies will need to integrate at all levels with their international counterparts. The level of liaison and cross-border activities will develop a new understanding across continents. This bodes well for South African commerce and industry as it develops links with the outside world.

But again, linkages are not just commercial. The six years of the preparation will be critical in defining and securing levels of political stability in the country. It is almost as though the awarding of the World Cup has given South Africa a security blanket – a period in which the country must prepare itself and fully integrate with the world to accomplish a successful hosting.

Yes, all the old issues of fear and insecurities will need to be addressed during this period. Safety will be an issue and the pressure will be on to tighten up the police and criminal justice system over the next period. No country securing the event would ever want to see their political, economic or security situation decline in the six years preparatory period. For South Africa, this places an added political burden. It will need to critically address its domestic problems – not for domestic political gain but because there is a real goal at the end of the six year period.

Ironically, governments often want to perform so they will be re-elected after five years. In South Africa's case, and given the landslide ANC victory of four weeks ago, it will not be the local voters who will pronounce on the success of government policies. The eyes of the world will be upon the country and will be judging, comparing and contrasting the effectiveness of its political, social and economic policies alongside its logistical preparations for the bid. Politically, therefore, the bid enters a new variable into the South African domestic landscape. In an era of globalization where everyone knows what happens in each others backyard the moment it happens, the preparations both physically and politically will be watched by the outside world – with a beady eye.

For those who feel that poverty and income disparities should be dealt with by populist notions of land grabs, nationalization and other more extreme options, this will be a long six years. South Africa will now have to be more mindful than ever of the outside world. Its domestic political agenda will be scrutinized by all and any threat to the political or economic stability of the country can weigh heavily on the minds of the FIFA bosses. The World Cup can – and will be – a wonderful excuse on the part of the ANC to avoid any movement towards populism in tackling the severe poverty that is still with us.

Winning the bid means not blowing the victory. With the eyes of the world on the country as it builds, resurfaces and redecorates, it will be a testing and tense time for President Mbeki and his new cabinet. Not only must they deliver on their election commitments to the people, but they must increasingly deliver to the international community over the six years to come. For now, South Africa has two electorates – one that voted for the ANC to govern for another five years and one that voted for six years of effective and efficient preparation for the World Cup. Both electorates need to be satisfied.