Book Kruger Park Now For The World Cup 2010

Africa Travel Network wishes to inform you that bookings for accommodation in all National Parks (SA only) including Kruger National Park for both June and July 2010 will open on the 1st July 2009.

This decision was taken to facilitate a smooth booking process across all SANParks accommodation facilities during the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup period. The FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup takes place from 11 June to 11 July 2010.

The opening of reservations for two months at a time will be a once off strategy for this period and reservations for August 2010 and onwards will revert back to the usual 11 months in advance and one month at a time.

To make your booking for this period please contact SANParks Central Reservations on phone +27-(0)12-428-9111 or contact your travel agent.

NB: The rules governing the reservations made directly through our website remains the same and are not affected by this arrangement.

Cheers
www.africatravelnetwork.net

Latest Cape Town Picture June 2009

Youth Travel on the rise

The Youth Travel market is worth approximately R1 098 trillion (USD136 billion) according to the 2008 United Nations World Tourism Oganisation’s report and is growing rapidly.


Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU), the official destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape, has teamed up with the South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) and South Africa Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC) in a bid to raise the profile of this travel market and increase the market share for the destination.


CTRU’s CEO, Calvyn Gilfellan, has met with SATSA and SAYTC: “The Youth Travel market has achieved phenomenal growth and it is therefore crucial that the Cape Town and Western Cape tourism industry taps into its potential. Contrary to popular perception, Youth Travel does not only apply to teenagers. This type of travel involves independent tourists up to the age of fifty, who are interested in the hidden gems of a destination rather than the conventional tourist attractions. They yearn for educational experiences and want to make a difference and contribute during their travel. ”


SATSA’s Western Cape Chairperson, Howard Johnson adds: “The value that the Cape Town and the Western Cape tourism industry can find in the Youth Travel market is immense and I look forward to working together with CTRU and SAYTC, towards attracting these travellers to the destination.”



SAYTC’s national Chairperson, Gavin Eyre says: “South Africa and the Western Cape specifically is a place of many possibilities. The destination’s diverse offerings are sure to speak to the typical Youth Traveller.”



Gilfellan goes on to say: “In these trying economic times and as we approach the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, it is crucial that tourism roleplayers work together to step up our game. We have to be innovative and look for any gap to boost arrivals to our destination Cape Town and Western Cape.”

According to the UNWTO 2008 report on Youth Travel:

· Youth Travel accounts for over 20% of all international travelling

· The average youth traveller spends up to R37 139 (USD4600) per trip

· The average stay of a Youth Traveller in their destination of choice is 53 days

· Youth Travel Accommodation is a R61.3 billion (USD7.6 billion) industry that generates 300 million bed nights

African Group Winners

2010 World Cup

The 5 group winners go through to join the world's best at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The top three in each group will go to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

GROUP A

P W D L GF GA Pts
Gabon 2 2 0 0 5 1 6
Togo 3 1 1 1 1 3 4
Morocco 3 0 2 1 1 2 2
Cameroon 2 0 1 1 0 1 1

28/03/09 Morocco 1-2 Gabon
28/03/09 Togo 1-0 Cameroon

06/06/09 Cameroon 0-0 Morocco
06/06/09 Gabon 3-0 Togo

20/06/09 Morocco 0-0 Togo
05/09/09 Gabon v Cameroon

05/09/09 Togo v Morocco
09/09/09 Cameroon v Gabon

10/10/09 Gabon v Morocco
10/10/09 Cameroon v Togo

14/11/09 Togo v Gabon
14/11/09 Morocco v Cameroon

GROUP B


P W D L GF GA Pts
Tunisia 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
Nigeria 2 1 1 0 3 0 4
Kenya 3 1 0 2 3 6 3
Mozambique 3 0 1 2 1 4 1

28/03/09 Kenya 1-2 Tunisia
28/03/09 Mozambique0-0 Nigeria

06/06/09 Tunisia 2-0 Mozambique
06/06/09 Nigeria 3-0 Kenya

20/06/09 Kenya 2-1 Mozambique
20/06/09 Tunisia v Nigeria

05/09/09 Mozambique v Kenya
05/09/09 Nigeriav Tunisia

10/10/09 Tunisia v Kenya
10/10/09 Nigeria v Mozambique

14/11/09 Mozambique v Tunisia
14/11/09 Kenya v Nigeria

GROUP C


P W D L GF GA Pts
Algeria 3 2 1 0 5 1 7
Zambia 3 1 1 1 2 3 4
Rwanda 2 0 1 1 0 1 1
Egypt 2 0 1 1 2 4 1

28/03/09 Rwanda 0-0 Algeria
28/03/09 Egypt 1-1 Zambia

06/06/09 Zambia 1-0 Rwanda
06/06/09 Algeria 3-1 Egypt

05/07/09 Egypt v Rwanda
20/06/09 Zambia 0-2 Algeria

05/09/09 Rwanda v Egypt
05/09/09 Algeria v Zambia

10/10/09 Zambia v Egypt
10/10/09 Algeriav Rwanda

14/11/09 Rwanda v Zambia
14/11/09 Egypt v Algeria

GROUP D


P W D L GF GA Pts
Ghana 3 3 0 0 5 0 9
Benin 2 1 0 1 1 1 3
Sudan 3 0 1 2 1 3 1
Mali 2 0 1 1 1 3 1

28/03/09 Sudan1 -1 Mali
28/03/09 Ghana 1-0 Benin

06/06/09 Mali 0-2 Ghana
06/06/09 Benin 1-0 Sudan

20/06/09 Mali v Benin
20/06/09 Sudan 0-2 Ghana

05/09/09 Ghana v Sudan
05/09/09 Benin v Mali

10/10/09 Mali v Sudan
10/10/09 Benin v Ghana

14/11/09 Ghana v Mali
14/11/09 Sudan v Benin

GROUP E


P W D L GF GA Pts
Ivory Coast 2 2 0 0 7 1 6
B Faso 2 2 0 0 5 2 6
Guinea 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Malawi 2 0 0 2 0 6 0

28/03/09 Burkina Faso 4-2 Guinea
28/03/09 Ivory Coast 5-0 Malawi

06/06/09 Guinea1-2 Ivory Coast
06/06/09 Malawi0-1 Burkina Faso

20/06/09 Burkina Faso v Ivory Coast
20/06/09 Guinea v Malawi

05/09/09 Malawi v Guinea
05/09/09 Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso

10/10/09 Guinea v Burkina Faso
10/10/09 Malawi v Ivory Coast

14/11/09 Ivory Coast v Guinea
14/11/09 Burkina Faso v Malawi

The 10 World Cup Stadiums

Next year's soccer World Cup will be held in 10 stadiums around South Africa for a month from June 11.

Following are brief descriptions of each venue:

Three stadiums are concentrated in Gauteng, the economic heartland of South Africa -- two in Johannesburg and one in Pretoria -- resulting in an unusual concentration of World Cup matches in one area.

JOHANNESBURG

The economic and business capital of South Africa in its richest region. It became a city in the late 19th century during a gold rush to mine the rich Witwatersrand reef. Known by inhabitants as Jozi or Joburg, it was also a centre of political agitation against apartheid before majority rule in 1994, especially in the township of Soweto. Two stadiums, Soccer City and Ellis Park, will host 15 matches including the opening game and final.

Soccer City - this is headquarters for the World Cup organising committee and is close to Soweto. Now being upgraded, the stadium is built to resemble a calabash or drinking vessel and will be the biggest venue in Africa with a capacity of nearly 95,000.

Ellis Park - A famous rugby stadium built in 1928 and reconstructed in 1982, it has been upgraded. Used for finals of the 1995 rugby World Cup. Now home ground of prominent South African premier league club Orlando Pirates. Capacity 61,000.

PRETORIA

South Africa's administrative capital, where presidents are sworn in at the hilltop Union Buildings. Former headquarters of the apartheid state, where Nelson Mandela's inauguration in 1994 carried great symbolic significance. Despite being the capital, this is a small, quiet city, overshadowed by nearby Johannesburg. The approach from the south is dominated by the hulking Voortrekker Monument, a symbol of Afrikaner rule, which commemorates the 1838 defeat of 12,000 Zulus by a small Boer force.

The Loftus Versfeld stadium has a capacity of 55,000. Six matches will be played here.

CAPE TOWN

The so-called "Mother City" is South Africa's most visited and is regarded by many as its most beautiful. It is a vibrant, multicultural city on the Atlantic Ocean, one of three coastal venues. Cape Town is backed by iconic Table Mountain and is where South Africa's parliament sits. The notorious Robben Island prison, where Mandela spent two decades, is offshore and is now a place of pilgrimage for tourists. The country's best-known wine-growing region and the popular coastal "Garden Route" are nearby.

The new Green Point stadium is being built on a former suburban golf course. Political disputes with the opposition-led city government have held up construction and it will be the last venue to be finished. Organisers say completion is expected by February 2010. Capacity 68,000. Eight matches will be played here, including a semi-final.

DURBAN

Another coastal venue, on the tropical Indian Ocean, Durban is Africa's busiest port and is home to the biggest Indian community in the country, many of them descendants of indentured labourers brought by the British to work the sugar cane fields. Durban is gateway to KwaZulu-Natal, home of South Africa's biggest ethnic group which includes new President Jacob Zuma. The city centre boasts a "golden mile" of beaches, promenades, hotels and restaurants. The stadium has a capacity of 70,000 with two parallel archways 100 metres above the roof which carry a cable car giving views of the Indian Ocean. Seven matches, including a semi-final, to be played here.

BLOEMFONTEIN

South Africa's judicial capital, seat of the country's highest court and capital of Free State -- a staunchly Afrikaans province. Bloemfontein, which means "Fountain of Flowers" in Dutch, is in the very centre of the country. The Free State Stadium is one of the smaller venues, being upgraded to a capacity of 48,000. Six matches scheduled.

PORT ELIZABETH

Third coastal venue and gateway to hundreds of kilometres of unspoiled beaches along the Sunshine and Wild Coasts of Eastern Cape province. This region is the heartland of the Xhosa ethnic group to which both Mandela and second black president Thabo Mbeki belong, as well as many other important anti-apartheid heroes. The city's first international football stadium is being built on the edge of North End Lake. Capacity 48,000. Will host eight matches including the third-place playoff.

NELSPRUIT

Capital of the northeastern Mpumalanga region that borders Mozambique, containing South Africa's most famous game park, the Kruger, and spectacular scenery of mountains and waterfalls. The town is in the hot, dry eastern zone of the province. Mpumalanga's first international standard stadium, with 18 roof supports designed to resemble giraffes, is being built in Nelspruit with a capacity of 46,000. Four matches to be played here.

POLOKWANE

In the centre of Limpopo province bordering Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The area was home of the fabled Rain Queen. The town became famous as the venue for a congress of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in late 2007 at which Zuma was elected leader of the party, deposing Mbeki and eventually leading to his election as South Africa's president in April. A new stadium has been built with a capacity of 45,000 and will host four matches.

RUSTENBURG

Centre of the world's biggest platinum mining area in the foothills of the Magaliesburg mountains, northwest of Johannesburg. The city is close to two tourist attractions, the Pilanesberg game park and Sun City, South Africa's equivalent to Disneyland and an unabashed temple to kitsch. The Royal Bafokeng Stadium, named after the people of the area -- the country's richest tribe because of the platinum mines -- has a capacity of 42,000. Six matches to be played here.

(To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

What President Zuma Said!

To the strains of the South African anthem, President Zuma kicked a ball into cheering crowds in a half-finished stadium yesterday, starting the final countdown for the football World Cup next year.

Exactly 365 days before the opening game of the first such tournament hosted by an African nation Mr Zuma, who used to play football as a prisoner under apartheid, declared: “We have made it.”

The ceremony at the 68,000-seat Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, being built on a spectacular site in the shadow of Table Mountain, was intended to send a defiant message to sceptics who thought that South Africa would not be able to make it.

“There is no longer any doubt that we will meet all the deadlines,” Mr Zuma said as he set the countdown clock ticking. “Many said we would not succeed but South Africans have proved they can rise to the challenge.” Eight new or revamped stadiums are nearly ready to receive 450,000 football fans, many of whom will come from abroad.
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Doubts about how they will fare linger, with crime topping the list of concerns. Johannesburg, which hosts the opening and final game, has been dubbed the murder capital of the world. Across the country, 50 people are murdered every day, and about 50,000 rapes are reported annually.

In the cities violent crime is out of control. Houses are surrounded by high walls topped by electric fences to keep out marauding bands of robbers.

“Women, young girls and even men and boys are not safe anymore,” said Mokotedi Mpshe, the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, at a conference this week. About 50 bank cash dispensers are blown up every month by criminal syndicates.

The fear is that international football fans, new to the country, will not understand everyday survival rules — second nature to residents — and will wander into situations and places where they will be robbed or killed.

The Government and the South African Football Association have embarked on a huge security venture that will have a trial run when the eight-nation Fifa Confederations Cup begins on Sunday. The national police spokesman, Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo, said: “The Indian Cricket Premier League, our general election in April and the presidential inauguration in Pretoria were all used as dress rehearsals for the 2010 extravaganza.

“Those were all executed extremely successfully and, based on these experiences, I can confidently say that the 2010 event will go off well.” He said that 51,000 police would be on duty throughout the World Cup, and 8,000 of those were being trained in the latest crowd control methods.

Not everyone is reassured, however. Nick Buckles, the chief executive of the British-based G4S, the biggest security firm in the world, said that his company’s South African branch would steer clear of the World Cup. He described South Africa as the most dangerous country in the world, where G4S staff suffered two fatalities a month. “We are not going to be involved because we don’t think security is going to be that good,” he said.

The sporting establishment disagrees. Gary Bailey, a former England goalkeeper who is now one of South Africa’s top sports commentators, said: “We will host the best tournament ever. Perhaps not slicker or more punctual but much more fun.”

Is South Africa ready for 2010?

There's no turning back now. Talk of a plan B can be forgotten.

In exactly a year's time, the opening match of the 2010 World Cup will be played at the 94,000 Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of Soweto in Johannesburg.

Tournament chief Danny Jordaan told BBC Sport: "The stadiums are just about ready, tickets are being sold and all of our plans are in place. The dream is reality, the game is on."

The question now is whether South Africa can put on a successful World Cup. Will fears about crime, inadequate infrastructure and the pricing out of ordinary fans be realised?

Or is Jordaan right to believe it will be a "festival of football" that can help to transform the standing and fortunes of the country?
STADIA

South Africa will have 10 world-class stadia for the tournament.

Five will be brand new - Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was opened earlier this week, the venues in Durban, Polkwane and Nelspruit are expected to be completed by October and the fifth, Green Point in Cape Town, is set to open in February next year.

The showpiece venue, Soccer City, has been upgraded so much that it is practically another brand new stadium.
BBC

The four other World Cup venues - Ellis Park, Loftus Versfeld, Royal Bafokeng and Free State - have been upgraded and will host matches at this month's Confederations Cup.

Several of the stadia are stunning. Moses Mabhida in Durban has a towering arch reminiscent of Wembley and a cable car to the beach front. Green Point is the only stadium in the world to have a glass roof, according to Cape Town's 2010 technical director Dave Hugo, and Soccer City has a distinctive design inspired by African pottery.

This hasn't come cheap. Moses Mabhida and Green Point each cost more than 3 billion Rand (currently £228m). Most of the work on the venues has also come in massively over budget.

The upgrade to Free State in Bloemfontein for example, which was originally estimated at R33m, is expected to actually cost R305m. And there are still some problems about funding, such as a wrangle over how to finance the R500m shortfall in Durban.

Having overcome strikes and concerns about the safety of construction workers at the venues, the biggest remaining concern is about legacy. Will the stadia be used properly after the World Cup or will they become expensive white elephants?
Zinedine Zidane of France head-butts Italy's Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final


Jordaan is confident most of them will be used by football and rugby teams and points out that South Africa has submitted a bid for the 2015 World Cup on the back of the building project.

He also wants Super 14 teams like the Natal Sharks, who play in the Kings Park Stadium close to Moses Mabhida in Durban, to move into the new venues.

Jordaan admits it might be difficult to persuade teams to move because of the "emotional attachment" they have to their homes but he believes it will happen eventually.

"Stadiums have a life cycle between 50 and 70 years," he says. "Some of the rugby stadiums are coming to the end of their cycles. When you spend time in a five-star hotel, you wonder why anyone would want to go back to the one star."

Jordaan's biggest worry is about about the future use of the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane and Mbombela in Nelspruit. Each cost more than R1 billion to build yet there aren't local teams capable of filling them after the World Cup.

"They are stadiums I am worried about," he admits. "We have to look at how to strengthen football in those areas, because there is tremendous support for the sport but not for the local teams."

CRIME

This has been a major talking point since the 2010 World Cup was awarded to South Africa in May 2004.

Fears about South Africa's crime problem resurfaced last month when the chief executive of G4S said his company, the biggest security outfit in the world, would not work at the World Cup because of security concerns.
South Africa crime statistics 2007/8

"We are not going to be involved because we don't think security is going to be that good - they are not that well organised yet," Nick Buckles told Reuters.

Most startlingly of all, he said G4S regarded South Africa as the most dangerous country in the world, ahead of even Iraq and Afghanistan.

G4S told BBC Sport Buckles was talking specifically about the danger of transporting cash in South Africa but, nevertheless, the damage had been done and Jordaan loses his usual calm and composure when asked about the comments.

"There is no other word to describe them than nonsense," he snaps. "Why would they submit a tender to work at the World Cup, as they did, if it is the most dangerous country in the world?

"And they are working in South Africa. Why do they stay there? There is no-one in the world who believes that nonsense."

How serious is crime in South Africa then?

The murder rate was 38.6 per 100,000 people in 2007/8, which is down 40% from 1995, but still significantly higher than almost every other country in the world. The rate in England and Wales, for example, was 1.43 per 100,000 from 2005 to 2007.

Dr Johann Burger, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, which is a non-profit, independent organisation in South Africa, admits the country has "a serious crime problem" but emphasises the situation is improving.

"Most serious crime has been in decline since 2002," he told BBC Sport. "Robbery and carjackings - which have increased every year since 2004 - are the major problems.

Cricket World Cup v Fifa World Cup

Total police numbers:
2003: 130,000; 2010: 193,000
Event police: 2003: 4,600; 2010: 32,000
Duration: 2003: 6 wks; 2010: 4
Matches: 2003: 33; 2010: 64
Murder rate: (per 100,000) 2003: 47.4; 2010: 38.6
Aggravated robbery: (per 100,000) 2003: 279; 2010: 247
Car jacking: (per 100,000) 2003: 32.3; 2010: 30

The rate of aggravated robbery in South Africa in 2007/8 was 247 per 100,000 people, compared with a rate of the less serious offence of robbery in England and Wales of 200 per 100,000 people.

Crime is worst in the capital Johannesburg, yet there are problems elsewhere. A 2007 survey of 1,200 people living in the vicinity of Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, which is a venue for both the Confederations and World Cup, found that 30% of the sample had been the victims of assault, rape or violent armed robbery.

So what is being done to safeguard fans, teams and officials at the World Cup?

Dr Burger says: "South Africa has hosted 146 major events since 1994 without major incident and the operational plan for the World Cup is more comprehensive than anything before.

"The government has invested R1.3 billion in security, providing an additional 41,000 police and 45,000 stewards.

"There will be sophisticated control centres at each of the 10 venues, mobile water cannons, helicopters and additional cars. Andre Pruis, who will be in charge of World Cup security, is an extremely experienced and capable operational director."

TICKETS

If fans do have concerns about security, it hasn't stopped them buying tickets for the World Cup, with more than 630,000 already sold to fans in 188 countries.

There have been 228,000 requests from England alone, but will ordinary South Africans be able to watch matches at their own World Cup?
A fan with a Confederations Cup ticket
Jordaan says every effort has been made to help ordinary fans buy tickets

Jordaan insists South Africa "will have the cheapest World Cup tickets since Mexico '86". with a special tier of "category four" tickets available for South African residents alone. They will be cost R140 (currently £10.60) for the group matches, with fans helped by the fact organisers have fixed the exchange rate at a favourable R7 to the US dollar.

Yet the prices are still quite expensive by the standards of South Africa, where a Premier League match costs R20 and internationals 30R.

Jordaan counters by pointing out 120,000 tickets will be given away free - a third to the construction workers who built the stadia and the rest to "ordinary football fans who are low earners".

ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT

Organisers estimate that 430,000 fans will descend on South Africa next June. Will they all have somewhere to stay?

Fifa says a total of 55,000 rooms will be needed and that 40,000 are already secured, from backpackers lodges and guesthouses to five-star hotels.

Jordaan admits Nelspruit and Polokwane have posed the biggest problem in terms of accommodation and that fans will have to be bussed in and out of the matches there, mainly from nearby game reserves like Kruger.

There has been huge government investment in transport ahead of the World Cup, with R11 billion spent on road building, a light rail network from Johannesburg airport to the Sandton business area, airport expansions and the manufacturing of 1,000 new buses.

There is also Gautrain, a rapid rail link from Johannesburg to Pretoria, which was started in September 2006.

Johannesburg's bus rapid transit system, which will provide dedicated lanes for buses, has provoked most controversy. It was supposed to have started this month, but protests from taxi drivers have delayed it.

An astonishing 50% of workers in Johannesburg currently commute by taxi, with only 4% using the public bus system. The taxi drivers fear they will lose their jobs because of BRT and have vowed to strike and disrupt the system.

Jordaan says he is "sure a solution can be found to the problem".

CHANGING THE FACE OF SOUTH AFRICA?

There are hopes this World Cup, unlike its predecessors in Germany and Japan and Korea, can transform the fortunes of its host.

Spending on infrastructure for the tournament has already had a huge effect, with 415,000 men and women being employed to work on projects during an economic slump. Thirty per cent of the contracts have gone to small and medium-sized businesses, according to Jordaan.

Improved roads and airports should also help to attract international businesses to the country. Gary Mabbutt, an ambassador for 2010, told BBC Sport: "A lot of big companies left South Africa during the apartheid era.

There has also been an attempt to use the World Cup to improve the lives of those living in the townships. The Orlando Stadium in Soweto has had a complete revamp and will be used as a training base.

The "20 centres for 2010" scheme is aiming to raise money to build artificial football pitches, classrooms and healthcare facilities for youngsters in the townships. They will focus on combating Aids and HIV in particular.

Jordaan, who is a marketing expert by profession, also thinks the World Cup can help to "rebrand" South Africa.

"When people from overseas describe the country, the brand essence is largely negative," he says. "By hosting such a major event, we want to attempt to change that, to show that we can stage a magnificent World Cup that showcases the best of South Africa."

Jordaan's personal journey encapsulates many of the changes South Africa has undergone in the last 20 or 30 years.

The likeable 57-year-old is a former anti-apartheid activist who served as an MP for the ANC after South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

"At first we dreamt that one day South Africa would be a non-racial, democratic society," he says. "Then, as sports fans, that one day South Africa would be a member of Fifa, after being expelled in 1976.

"And finally, we dreamt that the country would host the World Cup one day. That dream has now been fulfilled and I feel blessed to have been able to help make this happen."

Calling UK adventurers! Win a FREE trip to SA

South African Tourism launches Adventurer campaign to profile ‘unique combination of adventure activities'.
26 May 2009 saw South African Tourism, in conjunction with National Geographic Adventure, launch its Adventurer campaign designed to promote South Africa as an adventure travel destination.

In the competition, UK adventure seekers have the chance to win a 10-day trip of a lifetime during which the winner will follow an action-packed itinerary that includes trekking, surfing, wildlife tracking, canoeing, bush walking, safari, bungee jumping, paragliding, diving and hot air ballooning.

The competition will highlight South Africa as the ultimate destination for UK travellers looking for anything from gentle walking or cycling to extreme challenges.

Winners will have the opportunity to share their experiences via multi-media platforms during and after their trip and will even get the chance to address a specially selected audience at the National Geographic Store in London's Regent Street.

Contestants are asked to submit up to 250 words, plus a photo or video, explaining why they should have the opportunity to become an Adventure Ambassador for South Africa. Entries can be made via the Nat Geo Adventure website: www.natgeoadventure.co.uk.

At the same time South African Tourism is working with Travel Uni to ensure that 25 000 travel agents across the UK get the opportunity to compete in the nationwide search for the travel agent Face of Adventure. South African Tourism in the UK is working with industry partners on a range of activity and adventure itineraries that can be booked direct on the competition website.

Lebo Mokhesi, Country Manager for South African Tourism in the UK said: “It's time that both UK trade and consumers learned about South Africa's diverse range of ‘active-relaxation' activities. No other destination offers such a unique combination of activities - all accessible through world-class product and facilities.

“And thanks to the strength of the pound against the Rand, South Africa is still one of the best value destinations in which to discover your inner adventurer.”

Competition entrants do not need to have visited South Africa before. They just need a passion for travel and adventure and a desire to share their experiences with others.

New Products On ATN

Africa Travel Network would like to announce the launch of new products.

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As these products are new we are looking for you to give us your thoughts feedback on them.

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First new 2010 stadium opened

South Africa's first newly-built 2010 World Cup stadium officially opened on Sunday 7/6/09 in Port Elizabeth a year before kick-off next June.

"For us today's first opening of a newly-built 2010 World Cup stadium is a huge boost," said local organising committee chief Danny Jordaan.

Eight 2010 games will be played at 48,000 seat Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.

But the first game in the stadium will be a rugby match between the British and Irish Lions and the Southern Kings.

"It demonstrates the capacity of South Africa's construction industry and our commitment to deliver on all our 2010 FIFA World Cup promises," Jordaan added.

The Confederations Cup, seen as a test event for the World Cup, starts on Sunday at four refurbished stadiums in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg.

The five additional new stadiums that will also be used in Africa's first World Cup were "shaping up nicely" to be ready ahead of 2010, Jordaan said.

www.africatravelnetwork.net

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8088117.stm

Who has qualified for South Africa 2010?

Who will be playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

JAPAN (6 June, 2009)

Takeshi Okada's Japan became the first team to book their place after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

Shunji Okazaki grabbed the only goal of the game after nine minutes to book a fourth successive finals berth.

Takeshi Okada: "We played very well. I think we should continue playing this style in the remaining matches."

AUSTRALIA (6 June, 2009)

The Socceroos eased into the World Cup without so much as even conceding a goal in the six matches it took them to qualify.

A 0-0 draw against Qatar in Doha wrapped things up for Pim Verbeek's team after they picked up 14 points in Group A of the final Asian qualifying phase.

SOUTH KOREA (6 June, 2009)

The South Koreans secured a seventh successive World Cup finals place thanks to a 2-0 victory over United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

Park Chu-young and Ki Sung-yueng grabbed the goals as Huh Jung-Moo's outfit strolled to a place in Africa's first World Cup.

THE NETHERLANDS (6 June, 2009)

The Dutch won 2-1 away to Iceland to become the first European side to qualify for next summer's tournament.

Goals from Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel put Bert van Marwijk's team in the driving seat before Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson pulled a goal back.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8087418.stm

The 1 year countdown is close....Live It, Love It, Louder

The 1 year countdown is close....Live It, Love It, Louder

On Thursday, 11 June 2009, the FIFA World Cup will be exactly one year away. Cape Town Tourism is all set to get the ball rolling with a fun day of activities, including a symbolic football kick-off on Table Mountain at noon. Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariette du Toit-Helmbold is calling on all Capetonians to support and celebrate the World Cup by marking the one year to go marker; “The 2010 FIFA World Cup is an important catalyst for economic growth, but also for marketing our country and building civic pride. At Cape Town Tourism, we are focusing on in-destination activations to ensure that visitors to the World Cup have unforgettable experiences and leave our country as brand ambassadors, inspiring others to visit.”

“Ensuring buy-in from local citizens is the key to an unforgettable event. It is with this in mind that we are launching an interactive citizen activation programme, making ordinary Capetonians the focus point of our World Cup count-down campaign. The country will attract many visitors from markets that would otherwise not have visited South Africa and this is an opportunity to expand our foreign and African markets by inspiring citizens to live and love Cape Town and showcasing a city like no other in the world.”
“At the same time, the investment in tourism infrastructure, training and technology will create a solid foundation for sustainable development beyond 2010.”

A City Sightseeing bus will take a party of soccer celebrities, fans and guests on a city tour (map on www.capetown.travel) between 10h30 and 11h30 en route to Table Mountain for the noon kick-off. Capetonians in the City centre can join the celebrations by cheering on the bus, but every Capetonian, wherever they are, will have the chance to Live It, Love It, Louder! by making some noise at noon on 11 June. Vuvuzela’s, car hooters, shouts, whistles, pots and pans - it’s all about raising the roof, having fun and getting ready to welcome the world to Cape Town. After the kick-off, local band CODA will play their new song Blow Your Vuvuzela for the first time, on Table Mountain.

confed-cup

Cape Town Tourism has commissioned award-winning Cape Town design agency Coley Porter Bell to create a billboard campaign to support the Live It, Love It, Louder! campaign and get Cape Town ready to host the big event. Prime outdoor sites include Cape Town International Airport, highways leading into Cape Town and the CBD.


Executive Director for Economic, Social Development and Tourism, Mansoor Mohamed, observes that the, “2010 FIFA World Cup is the single most important event in South Africa’s recent history. If managed properly, the economic and tourism legacy benefits will be felt for a very long time into the future. Cape Town is ready to welcome the world to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

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Cape Town Restaurants Winter Specials 2009

Cape Town Restaurants Winter Specials 2009

Some specials for winter dining in and around Cape Town for 2009.

If you have others you think should be added or if you have a review of one of those listed below, please leave a comment!

Andiamo (Waterkant)
Two pastas + two glasses of wine R100
Everyday, lunch and dinner
021 421 3687

Alba Lounge (Waterfront)
Two pastas and two glasses of wine for R100
Everyday
021 425 3385

Aubergine (Gardens)
Two courses R185 / three courses R245
Everyday
021 465 4909

Bravo (Mouille Point)
1kg of prawns for R69
Monday to Friday lunch and Tuesday evenings until the end of June
021 439 5260

Beluga (Green Point)
Two course lunch R125 / three course dinner R165
Every day until the end of September
don’t forget their year round specials:
1kg prawns R100 / 26 piece sushi platter R100 / half price sushi until 7pm
021 418 2948

Bungalow (Camps Bay)
Crayfish R100 / Lamb Shank R100 / half price cocktails & tapas between
5pm and 7pm
Everyday
021 438 0007

Caprice (Camps Bay)
Two of their legendary burgers for the price of one
Lunch and dinner, Monday to Thursday
3 course meal with Heineken R80
Friday nights
021 438 8315

Catharina’s (Steenberg/Tokai)
Two course set lunch menu with glass of wine R125
three course set lunch menu with glass of wine R165
three course set dinner menu with glass of wine R195
Everyday
021 713 3222

Five Flies (CBD)
Two course menu + glass of wine R125
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
021 424 4442

Geisha (Green Point)
Half price sushi & dim sum before 7pm / 25% off noodle dishes
Everyday
021 439 0533

Harbour House (Kalk Bay)
Three course R150 / two course R130
Everyday except Sunday lunches
021 788 4133

Henri’s in Somerset West
Three courses R120
Everyday until end June
021 852 6442

Myoga (Newlands/Claremont)
Six course menu R150, paired with wines R225
Dinner only, everyday until end August
021 657 4545

Pepenero (Mouille Point)
Rump with fries and sauce R80 / half price sushi / seafood platter for
one R110 / 1kg of prawns with chips or rice R100 / oysters R9 each /
sushi platter R90 / Osso Bucco with mash R90 / pasta of the day R55
Everyday
021 439 9027

Salushi (Claremont)
Half price sushi until 5pm / standard starter + noodle dish R70
Everyday
021 671 4271

Sinns (Gardens)
Two courses with a glass of wine R100
Three courses with a glass of wine R125
Everyday
021 465 0967

Tank (Waterkant)
Half price sushi
Everyday
021 419 0007

The Foodbarn (Noordhoek)
Three course meal R175
Everyday
021 789 1390

The Kove (Camps Bay)
Parties of 4 get one of the meals free
Half price on entire menu between 5pm & 6:45pm
2 courses with glass of wine R100, 3 courses with glass of wine R130
Everyday
021 438 0004

Tobago’s at the Radisson (Green Point/Mouille Point)
25% off tables of 4 or more
Until end of June
021 441 3000

Tuscany Beach (Camps Bay)
Order two main courses, get one free / 20% of all sushi and oysters
Every night and lunches Monday to Friday
021 438 1213

Winelands:

Buitenverwachting (Constantia)
Three courses + carafe of wine R230
Everyday until end September
021 794 3522

Constantia Uitsig (Constantia)
Three lunch courses R200, with carafe of wine R230
3 dinner courses R240, with carafe of wine R280
Everyday until end September
021 794 6500

Cuvee at Simonsig (Stellenbosch)
Two courses with a glass of wine R125
Three course with a glass of wine R165
Until end June
021 888 4932

Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia (Constantia)
Starter & main from the Cape Malay themed buffet R100 / add dessert R110
6pm to 9pm weekdays until end August
021 794 6255

La Colombe (Constantia)
Three lunch courses R210, with carafe of wine R240
3 dinner courses R250, with carafe of wine R290
Everyday until end September
021 794 6500

Terroir (Stellenbosch)
Two courses R150 / three courses R195
Everyday until end September
021 880 8167

Event specials:

Cape Colony restaurant at the Mount Nelson (Gardens)
Four course pairing R350
Last Thurs of each month until end October
021 483 1948

Salt at the Ambassador Hotel (Bantry Bay)
Four course pairing R350
Last Thursday of each month until end October
021 439 7258

Use www.xe.com to convert to your currency
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