/ 18 June 2010

We love you, South Africa

We Love You

Of the 400 000 foreigners who have jetted into South Africa in recent weeks, how many would repeat the experience? Most, if a random sample of football tourists is anything to go by.

Tourists interviewed in Johannesburg and Soweto this week were overwhelmingly positive about what was generally their first taste of the country.

But inadequate public transport, and post-match transport pandemonium in particular, stood out as the major beef. Some also remarked on the high price of goods and services, and the biting cold of the Highveld winter.

Chilean soccer fan Raphael Martine touched down in South Africa just before the start of the World Cup after travelling the world for 18 months.

The 26-year-old, staying at a bed and breakfast in White City, Jabavu, is “in love with Soweto” — and, he says, with “very nice” local women.

Maxi Celuwa, also in his 20s, is staying with a large contingent of fellow Argentinians at the City Lodge near OR Tambo airport.

He likes the friendly people and is surprised by the apparent lack of crime, but complained that it is “not easy to get around”.

He is philosophical about “high tourist prices”, saying that the same applies in South America. Looking for a broader tourism experience, he and his friends have included a post-Cup safari and a trip to Sun City in their itinerary.

Across town, Rosebank is buzzing. Foreign visitors crowd the African craft market to haggle over necklaces from Kenya and T-shirts that proclaim “I survived Jo’burg!”

Hailey Gittengs (16) walked there with her parents, several kilometres from their hotel in Sandton.

But she seems surprised that every­one else isn’t doing the same — she insists she is not fazed by the threat of crime.

For Gittengs, a Californian, Johannesburg’s northern suburbs seem like a home from home.

She is particularly impressed by the city’s shopping malls and the range of activities on offer, saying that “native South Africans” can be relied on to recommend things to do.

A highlight for many foreign visitors is a guided tour of Soweto, followed by a trip to the Apartheid Museum.

“We normally get about 500 people a day, but now we’re averaging 2 500,” said the museum’s deputy director, Wayde Davy.

Liz Delmont, the proprietor of top-rated guest house Liz at Lancaster, says her foreign guests are often surprised that “Jo’burg is a modern, functioning city”, especially after the horror stories in the media back home. But she feels the city will not be truly tourist friendly until it solves its public transport problems.

Other visitors agreed. Mexican Tanya Golenzo (21) said that the authorities should do something about post-match transport chaos, in particular.

“You can get to the stadiums easily but there are so many people leaving, it gets crazy,” she said.

“But, she added, “I love South Africa. It’s amazing — I love the people and the soccer atmosphere. Everything is beautiful.”

Frenchman Fabian Piejrard agreed, but added an odd qualification for a European: “The biggest problem with Jo’burg is that it’s too cold. We’re not going to survive any more in this climate!”