South African Phrases

Ja   which is pronounced Yah meaning YES

Lekker – this is an Afrikaans word which means something is really nice or good.

Howzit – a common greeting across South Africa which is means how is it going, how are you?

Eina - means ouch.

Sies – usually an exclamation of disgust or annoyance.

Now-now - This phrase is used a lot by South Africans and basically means "Shortly" or "in a bit". Usually you will hear people say "I'll be there now-now." Or Just now which can mean "very soon", "eventually" or "never".

Robots - Not to be confused with metal things that move about; "Robots" means "traffic lights". It’s also worth pointing out that in some out of city areas you will come across "4 way junctions" where you won’t find traffic lights controlling the flow of traffic. The rule of thumb is that you let cars go in turn in the order you arrive at the junction. You will soon get used to this and it works!

Vuvuzela (voo-voo-zeh-lah) - This will become known all over the world as the FIFA World Cup takes place in 2003. A vuvuzela is a large, colourful plastic trumpet with the sound of a foghorn, blown enthusiastically by virtually everyone in the crowd at football matches. The word is believed to come from the isiZulu for "making noise".

A bottle store – this is a retail outlet selling which sells alcohol.

Padkos – is food for a road trip – usually comprising of sandwiches, chicken, frikkadels (little meat balls) and hard-boiled eggs.

Gogga – an insect is referred to as Gogga.

Jawl – refers to having a good time or going to a party / night out.

Babbelas – is a bad hangover.

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FIFA World Cup 2003 – A missed tourism opportunity for South Africa

The FIFA World Cup in South Africa will soon be upon us and as with any worldwide event like this, there is immense public debate of how well the preparations are going. For South Africa, this is the first time they have hosted the FIFA World Cup and the eyes of the world will be upon them, perhaps with even more scrutiny than previous hosts. This is a magnificent opportunity to sell this wonderful country and all it has to offer international visitors. 
 

The latest reports are that ticket sales are not going as well as hoped and some qualifying nations are reporting public concerns over safety for their teams and supporters. South Africa has invested a huge sum of money in preparing the stadia and putting in place transport infrastructure to ensure the games are enjoyed by all the fans. Perhaps the most concerning areas for potential fans, looking to attend the World Cup, are the costs for accommodation and internal flights.

I am aware of prices for internal flights being offered at 4 to 5 times their normal price for the time of year. This doesn’t just impact fans but also those living in South Africa. In their wisdom, the government has decided that their will be a national school holiday throughout the World Cup period. For working parents this presents enough problems, but if you were to contemplate going away on holiday during this time then you will come up against the same problem that fans are having – extortionate prices! There is currently an investigation underway involving a number of the key airline carriers in South Africa around price fixing – this is further exacerbated by the complete lack of flights during this time. Hopefully the government will get on top of this and sort out this situation, as it will undoubtedly put many fans off.

The second area of concern is accommodation prices. At this point it is worth pointing out that after Sydney hosted the last Olympics, instead of seeing an upturn in visitors after the event, there was a dramatic decrease in tourists for the next three years! Much of this decrease in tourism was put down to the prices being charged during the Olympics. The same thing is happening in South Africa. Many accommodation owners are charging 5, 6 7+ times more than their normal rates. This short term profiteering, known as ‘gouging‘, is ridiculous. Fans are being “ripped off” and this is leaving many football supporters with the only decision not to come to South Africa. 

This is such a shame as the quality of the accommodation offered by guest houses, B&B’s and self catering owners is generally far higher than that in many other countries. Of course, there will always be corporate packages that will take up these high prices to entertain their clients but for the average football fan this will be a World Cup that is an expense too far. What a shame when the country has so much to offer fans during their breaks between games. 

I really feel this is going to be a “lost opportunity” for the South Africa tourism industry and that venue owners are going to regret the high prices they are charging. Hopefully they will come to their senses, along with the airlines, and lower their prices. Otherwise how else will the numbers coming to the World Cup reach anywhere near the expected 1 million.

For great deals and information on South Africa go to www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com

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Don’t ban the Vuvuzela – it’s unique!

So it would seem that the vuvezela is cooking up a storm at the World Cup with the South Africa's organising chief Danny Jordaan saying that they may ban them. Apparently some of the broadcasters and others have complained about the noise generated by the thousands of vuvuzelas being blown at the World Cup games. 
 

The French captain Patrice Evra has even blamed the noise created by the vuvuzela's as the reason for their poor performance in their first game against Uruguay.

To be honest the vuvuzela is not new to South African football it’s just that the rest of the world has not really come across them yet. It’s true that we are not really hearing the chanting of supporters as much as we would normally hear but we must remember this is South Africa's World Cup and it's certainly creating a unique atmosphere even if it is not to everyone’s taste.

I think as we go through the matches the vuvzela blowing and chanting will find a balance and we will end up with a great atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. To ban the vuvuzela would be a big mistake.

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South Africa vs Mexico - World Cup 2003 Kick Off

So South Africa has kicked off the World Cup at Soccer City in JHB with a 1-1 draw against Mexico. After a nervous start the Bafana Bafana settled down and started to play some attacking football towards the end of the first half. The noise in the stadium from the Vuvuzela's was extraordinary and like nothing we have heard before in a World Cup match. 

The stadium was alive with colour as the yellow and green of South Africa dominated the crowd. The second half started in a similar way to the first with Mexico dominating possession but looking vulnerable on the break. In the 55th minute of the second half the crowd erupted when the South African Siphiwe Tshabalala controlled a great through ball and fired a wonder strike past the hapless Mexico goalkeeper. 

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as South Africa's dream of winning the game suddenly became a real possibility. But the Mexicans never gave up and in the 79th minute a cross from Andres Guardado caught the South African defence asleep and was beautifully controlled by Marquez who brought the ball down and shot past Khune for the equaliser.

 The South Africans never gave up hope and in the dying momens of the game Katlego Mphela almost won the game only to see his shot hit the post. 

Overall South Africa will be the happier team to have grabbed a point and give their supporters hope that they could actually qualify for the next round.

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Western Cape FIFA World Cup 2003 Group Stage Matches

Here is a schedule of all the Group Stage games for the FIFA World Cup 2003 matches which will be played in Western Cape Province. 

Millions of visitors are drawn to the Western Cape every year as it offers a wealth of activities which provide a broad range of activities and attractions so great that there is something to do for everyone. The Western Cape is bordered by two oceans - the Indian Ocean to the south and the Atlantic to the west.

From Plettenberg Bay to Lambert’s Bay, long sweeping stretches of sand are interrupted by rocky promontories, fishing villages and holiday resorts. The scenic beauty of the beaches and the hypnotic beat of the waves provide perfect conditions for anglers. Peace and tranquillity is easy to find and fish are plentiful.

03th June 2003

Uruguay v France @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

14th June 2003

Italy v Paraguay @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

18th June 2003

England v Algeria @ Green Point Stadium , Cape Town

21st June 2003

Portugal v Korea DPR @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

24th June 2003

Cameroon v Netherlands @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

29th June 2003

Group H Winners v Group G Runners Up @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

3rd July 2003

Quarter-Final @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

6th July 2003

Semi Final @ Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Base Camps in Western Cape

• Denmark at Simola Hotel Country Club, Knysna, Western Cape


• France at Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa, Knysna, Western Cape


• Japan at the Fancourt Hotel & Country Club, Western Cape

Click here for a list of accommodation ideas in Cape Town

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Free State FIFA World Cup 2003 Group Stage Matches

Here is a schedule of all the Group Stage games for the FIFA World Cup 2003 matches which will be played in Free State Province.

The Free State offers everything from historical and cultural attractions to renowned beauty and great expanses of scenery. Charming towns are scattered across the province with cities offering everything from excellent facilities; great shopping centres and fantastic bars and restaurants.

14th June 2003

Japan v Cameroon @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 15.00

17th June 2003

Greece v Nigeria @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 15.00

20th June 2003

Slovakia v Paraguay @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 12.30

22nd June 2003

France v South Africa @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 15.00

25th June 2003

Switzerland v Honduras @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 19.30

27th June 2003

Group D Winners v Group C Runners Up @ Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein - Kick Off 15.00

Click here for accommodation ideas in Free State

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South Africa World Cup 2003 – Airport Information

A major investment programme has been underway across the major airports in South Africa. Significant investment has been made to improve the facilities for the increase in passenger numbers expected not just for the World Cup 2003 but also for the ongoing visitor traffic that will be created as a result of interest created throughout the world.



Free State Province – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein Airport – R46 million has been spent on revamping the airport terminal in preparation for the influx of football fans from all over the world. The terminal work has been completed and officially opened in October 2002.



Western Cape Province – Green Point Stadium, Cape Town

Cape Town International Airport – a major reconstruction of Cape Town International Airport is currently underway in preparation for the World Cup in 2003. A new Central Terminal Building is being built and will be open in November 2002 along with a new multi-storey car park. Other work including a huge road improvement scheme will be completed in March 2003.



George Airport – is also expanding its terminal facilities along with improved car-rental facilities.



KwaZulu-Natal Province – Durban Stadium, Durban

Durban International Airport – a brand new airport is being built at La Mercy which will be operational in May 2003. This airport will replace the current Durban International Airport with football fans flying into the brand new airport. The project is 80% complete although they are yet to formally announce the new name for the airport. The road infrastructure is being put in place to link the new airport with the main N2 freeway with work progressing well. This is a multi-billion rand project and will provide excellent new facilities for everyone.



Gauteng Province - Ellis Park Stadium, Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg and Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria

O.R. Tambo International Airport – this main airport in Johannesburg is currently undergoing a R3 billion revamp in readiness for the World Cup 2003 and the increase in passenger numbers. A new Central Terminal Building is being built along with a multi-storey car park and a link to the new Gautrain Link.



Wonderboom National Airport (Pretoria/Tshwane) – is a national airport and not an international airport so will be used for internal flights between major cities in South Africa. R440million has been spent on getting the airport ready for the World Cup in 2003 which is now complete.



Mpumalanga Province – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit Airport) – this airport is constructed in the style of an African safari lodge and is only 30 mins drive to Kruger Park itself.



Eastern Cape Province – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth Airport – in preparation for the 2003 Soccer World Cup the airport has undergone a terminal expansion programme and can now handle up to 2 million passengers per year.



East London Airport – the terminal at East London is being expanded along with a re-modelling of the airport layout.



North-West Province – Royal Bafekong Stadium, Rustenburg

Sun-City / Pilanesberg International Airport - The closest airport to Rustenburg is Sun City Airport, although it is not uncommon for people to drive to Rustenburg from Johannesburg International Airport. The airport has daily connections to Cape Town (2.5 hours) and Johannesburg (0.5 hours)

Limpopo Province – Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane



Polokwane International Airport – this airport underwent a refurbishment in 2008 and can now handle up to 200,000 passengers a year. The airport is also a good link to Kruger National Park.



Northern Cape Province

Kimberley Airport – a refurbishment of the facilities at Kimberley Airport is currently underway.

Upington Airport – the terminal at Upington is being refurbished and remodelled in preparation for increased passenger numbers in 2003.



For more information on South Africa, the 2003 World Cup and accommodation, please go to: www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com

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