The Easy Africa Site www.africatravelnetwork.net
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Make the 2010 FIFA Cup a Road Trip
With the 2010 FIFA World Cup road show about to kick off in nine South African cities, football fans are encouraged to discover the treasures of South Africa by following their chosen teams around.
Matches will take place in or near virtually all the tourist hotspots, so when you are not bellowing for Kaka, Torres, Messi or Diego, why not opt for car rental and take time out to appreciate the rich diversity of South Africa.
Premier wildlife conservation areas
The biggest show on earth will begin in Johannesburg, a city built on the incomparable riches of gold that is still mined extensively today. Johannesburg itself may not be packed with attractions, but only a couple of hour’s drive away is the world renowned Kruger National Park, one of the premier conservation areas of Africa.
A safe haven for the ‘Big 5’, the Kruger has a range of accommodation options, from luxurious bush lodges where your every need is taken care of to simple, self-catering rondavels. Earmark at least four days to unearth the delights of the African bushveld as this park is vast, covering 18,989km².
The centre of Zulu culture
The city of Durban on the KwaZulu Natal coastline is another hot favourite with visitors. It is slap bang in the centre of the traditional Zulu Kingdom, so guests will have the opportunity of steeping themselves in the exotic Zulu culture. Not far north of Durban, it’s possible to visit an authentic Zulu Kraal or homestead, where you can interact with the local community, witness them crafting their traditional weapons of war – the assegai and knobkerrie – as well as enjoying traditional Zulu dances.
Home to the great Nelson Mandela
Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, is the nearest large, urban hub to the traditional home of world statesman and the first democratically elected president of South Africa, the great Nelson Mandela. It is also the traditional home of the Xhosa nation, numbered at about 12 million people.
The Eastern Cape is another area that has promoted conservation and there are several excellent private and national game reserves, all within an easy day’s drive of PE. The Addo Elephant Park and the Shamwari Game Reserve are two premier wildlife destinations, but if the bush has begun to pall, make for the beautiful beach destinations of Cintsa, Morgan’s Bay or the famed Coffee Bay in the Transkei.
Wine, whales and the Waterfront
The iconic city of Cape Town is scheduled to host 9 FIFA World Cup matches, including a quarter-final and a semi-final. However, in between these exciting encounters there is a veritable feast of attractions to discover, from the beautiful Cape wine estates to the best land-based whale watching in the world to the opulent V&A Waterfront. Take time out and discover the wonders of the southern tip of Africa - you won’t regret it!
Matches will take place in or near virtually all the tourist hotspots, so when you are not bellowing for Kaka, Torres, Messi or Diego, why not opt for car rental and take time out to appreciate the rich diversity of South Africa.
Premier wildlife conservation areas
The biggest show on earth will begin in Johannesburg, a city built on the incomparable riches of gold that is still mined extensively today. Johannesburg itself may not be packed with attractions, but only a couple of hour’s drive away is the world renowned Kruger National Park, one of the premier conservation areas of Africa.
A safe haven for the ‘Big 5’, the Kruger has a range of accommodation options, from luxurious bush lodges where your every need is taken care of to simple, self-catering rondavels. Earmark at least four days to unearth the delights of the African bushveld as this park is vast, covering 18,989km².
The centre of Zulu culture
The city of Durban on the KwaZulu Natal coastline is another hot favourite with visitors. It is slap bang in the centre of the traditional Zulu Kingdom, so guests will have the opportunity of steeping themselves in the exotic Zulu culture. Not far north of Durban, it’s possible to visit an authentic Zulu Kraal or homestead, where you can interact with the local community, witness them crafting their traditional weapons of war – the assegai and knobkerrie – as well as enjoying traditional Zulu dances.
Home to the great Nelson Mandela
Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, is the nearest large, urban hub to the traditional home of world statesman and the first democratically elected president of South Africa, the great Nelson Mandela. It is also the traditional home of the Xhosa nation, numbered at about 12 million people.
The Eastern Cape is another area that has promoted conservation and there are several excellent private and national game reserves, all within an easy day’s drive of PE. The Addo Elephant Park and the Shamwari Game Reserve are two premier wildlife destinations, but if the bush has begun to pall, make for the beautiful beach destinations of Cintsa, Morgan’s Bay or the famed Coffee Bay in the Transkei.
Wine, whales and the Waterfront
The iconic city of Cape Town is scheduled to host 9 FIFA World Cup matches, including a quarter-final and a semi-final. However, in between these exciting encounters there is a veritable feast of attractions to discover, from the beautiful Cape wine estates to the best land-based whale watching in the world to the opulent V&A Waterfront. Take time out and discover the wonders of the southern tip of Africa - you won’t regret it!
Monday, May 25, 2009
World Cup Anthem
R ‘n’ B musician Akon has landed an incredibly lucrative deal, as he has been asked to make music for the forthcoming 2010 football world cup.
The ‘Birthmark’ hitmaker has been roped in to record a theme song for the football world cup event, which will take place in South Africa next year, and oversee performances throughout the tournament.
“I’ve been hired as musical director for the World Cup. I will be overseeing the World Cup anthem and music at the ceremonies and I’m off to South Africa this week for meetings. I love soccer, so it’s a great honour,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying. (ANI)
The ‘Birthmark’ hitmaker has been roped in to record a theme song for the football world cup event, which will take place in South Africa next year, and oversee performances throughout the tournament.
“I’ve been hired as musical director for the World Cup. I will be overseeing the World Cup anthem and music at the ceremonies and I’m off to South Africa this week for meetings. I love soccer, so it’s a great honour,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying. (ANI)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Cape Storm May 2009
These pictures were taken in the early hours of 19th May 2009
More pictures can be seen on our Africa Travel Network Facebook Page.
FIFA Prepares Africa’s Reporters for World Cup
Football’s world ruling body FIFA has endorsed an ambitious program that aims to fine-tune the skills of more than 300 African football reporters from 46 African countries in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup.
Part of FIFA’s “Win in Africa with Africa” development program, the initiative’s wider aims are to provide mid-career training to more than 300 reporters and photographers across the continent.
Launched after South Africa won the right to host the 2010 World Cup, the courses will be run by the AFP Foundation, the international training arm of Agence France-Presse news agency, and financed in cooperation with the European Union.
FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter said: “Media in Africa will play a key role to link all people of the continent with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Consequently, FIFA is particularly proud to help by providing high quality journalism courses for African media in association with the AFP Foundation and the European Commission.”
The program will be run in four languages — English, French, Arabic and Portuguese — with the first courses held at Diambars Football Institute about 70 kilometers southwest of Dakar.
Facilities have been made available by eight national associations in Africa which have agreed to support the program, with French-speaking reporters from Senegal, Ivory Coast and Togo taking the first week-long course this week.
“This is the most ambitious project undertaken by the AFP Foundation since it was set up in July 2007 and it gives me great satisfaction,” AFP chief executive Pierre Louette said.
“We hope that our training courses will not only enhance their professional skills but also create lasting friendships,” he said.
“Training of journalists is an important first step towards the World Cup in 2010,” EU development commissioner Louis Michel said.
“This is part of the commission’s efforts to ensure the image of a modern Africa is more widely known. It is also a symbol of the strategic relationship being built between the two continents of Europe and Africa.”
Other sessions will take place this month and in June in Abuja, Cairo, Johannesburg, Libreville, Maputo, Nairobi and Rabat.
A total of 137 reporters and 15 photographers were selected for the first round of training. More courses will be held toward the end of the year and in 2010.
Part of FIFA’s “Win in Africa with Africa” development program, the initiative’s wider aims are to provide mid-career training to more than 300 reporters and photographers across the continent.
Launched after South Africa won the right to host the 2010 World Cup, the courses will be run by the AFP Foundation, the international training arm of Agence France-Presse news agency, and financed in cooperation with the European Union.
FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter said: “Media in Africa will play a key role to link all people of the continent with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Consequently, FIFA is particularly proud to help by providing high quality journalism courses for African media in association with the AFP Foundation and the European Commission.”
The program will be run in four languages — English, French, Arabic and Portuguese — with the first courses held at Diambars Football Institute about 70 kilometers southwest of Dakar.
Facilities have been made available by eight national associations in Africa which have agreed to support the program, with French-speaking reporters from Senegal, Ivory Coast and Togo taking the first week-long course this week.
“This is the most ambitious project undertaken by the AFP Foundation since it was set up in July 2007 and it gives me great satisfaction,” AFP chief executive Pierre Louette said.
“We hope that our training courses will not only enhance their professional skills but also create lasting friendships,” he said.
“Training of journalists is an important first step towards the World Cup in 2010,” EU development commissioner Louis Michel said.
“This is part of the commission’s efforts to ensure the image of a modern Africa is more widely known. It is also a symbol of the strategic relationship being built between the two continents of Europe and Africa.”
Other sessions will take place this month and in June in Abuja, Cairo, Johannesburg, Libreville, Maputo, Nairobi and Rabat.
A total of 137 reporters and 15 photographers were selected for the first round of training. More courses will be held toward the end of the year and in 2010.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
World Cup 'will change the face of South African tourism'
South Africa is on course to host a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the tournament is set to change the face of the country's tourism industry.
That was the message to visitors to Africa's annual Indaba travel trade show, in Durban, South Africa, last week.
FIFA World Cup Organising Committee chief executive Danny Jordaan said: "In terms of the state of readiness, at the moment we do not have the levels [necessary for] 2010 - work is not complete yet. But we must [compare] the start point in 2004 and where we are today."
FIFA consultant for 2010 Horst Schmidt insisted South Africa was on schedule. He said: "The arenas and airports are ready, or will be in good time."
It is hoped the World Cup will diminish negative perceptions of South Africa, attracting a greater number and broader range of tourists during and after the event.
Jordaan said: "It gives an unprecedented opportunity to brand our country and leave a lasting legacy."
That was the message to visitors to Africa's annual Indaba travel trade show, in Durban, South Africa, last week.
FIFA World Cup Organising Committee chief executive Danny Jordaan said: "In terms of the state of readiness, at the moment we do not have the levels [necessary for] 2010 - work is not complete yet. But we must [compare] the start point in 2004 and where we are today."
FIFA consultant for 2010 Horst Schmidt insisted South Africa was on schedule. He said: "The arenas and airports are ready, or will be in good time."
It is hoped the World Cup will diminish negative perceptions of South Africa, attracting a greater number and broader range of tourists during and after the event.
Jordaan said: "It gives an unprecedented opportunity to brand our country and leave a lasting legacy."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
2nd Ticketing Phase for 2010 FIFA WorldTM Cup starts on 4 May
Be quick and you should be lucky! The 2nd Ticketing Phase for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM will start on Monday, 4 May 2009, at Noon (SA Time). There will be approximately 100,000 tickets made available for this phase, excluding the two Semi-Finals and the Final (matches 61, 62 and 64). From now on, the tickets will be allocated on a “first come, first serve” basis. Applications can be made at FNB branches or via the FIFA website (www.fifa.com).
For South African football fans who wish to apply at FNB Branches, they should bring a valid form of identification. South Africans need to show their ID, while a passport will be required for foreigners. Applicants that wish to make applications for friends or family should have the details of those persons incl. identity numbers, names, dates of birth and nationality ready. Each applicant can apply for up to 4 tickets per match and up to 7 matches in total. Ticket prices start at 20 USD (140 ZAR). Within ten working days you will be notified, if your application is successful (fully or partly) or not.
Tickets will be ready for collection at FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres from May 2010.
We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to the 2010 FIFA World CuptmTM South Africa and hope you enjoy the experience.
Yours sincerely
2010 FIFA World Cup™ Ticketing Centre
For South African football fans who wish to apply at FNB Branches, they should bring a valid form of identification. South Africans need to show their ID, while a passport will be required for foreigners. Applicants that wish to make applications for friends or family should have the details of those persons incl. identity numbers, names, dates of birth and nationality ready. Each applicant can apply for up to 4 tickets per match and up to 7 matches in total. Ticket prices start at 20 USD (140 ZAR). Within ten working days you will be notified, if your application is successful (fully or partly) or not.
Tickets will be ready for collection at FIFA Venue Ticketing Centres from May 2010.
We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to the 2010 FIFA World CuptmTM South Africa and hope you enjoy the experience.
Yours sincerely
2010 FIFA World Cup™ Ticketing Centre
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