/ 8 July 2009

YOURTAKE: Is SA too dangerous to host the Cup?

It seems that ever since the Soccer World Cup was awarded to South Africa, there have been some who have raised concerns about safety.

UK Guardian blogger Louise Taylor feels that coming to South Africa for the Soccer World Cup next year is a risky prospect owing to, among others, safety concerns.

”What I would definitely baulk at, ” she writes, ”is touring as a fan at next year’s World Cup — an event, with the final 12 months away, we are counting down to. Indeed, having done a bit of research on the subject, I know I’d be absolutely terrified.

”Such fears are often as much about perception as statistics, but unfortunately the stats — not to mention much anecdotal evidence — confirm that football fans like me are right to be more than a little scared. After all, this is a country in which approximately 50 people are murdered every day.”

Commentators on her blog have criticised her for this view.

Danny Jordaan, the chief executive of the local organising committee, has repeatedly stated that claims South Africa could lose the tournament were laughable.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.