What do our World Cup Guests Think of Cape Town?

'Oh, I think I went to Table Mountain…'

 The City of Cape Town together with Cape Town Tourism and Capetonians as a whole has been preparing for months, if not years, for the 2010 World Cup extravaganza. We’ve constructed a magnificent stadium to stage international soccer stars, prepared Fan Fests of festive proportions, built new highways and laid on more burger and beer specials than you can blow your vuvuzela at. We have called this project: ‘it’. We didn’t do ‘it’ for nothing! All we want to know is this: do you ‘feel it’? Do you know that ‘it is here’? And do you know what ‘it’ means?

CTM: What do you think of Cape Town, so far?

Hugo Hernandes, Guatemala: “Cape Town, for me, is one of the best cities in the world. It’s a beautiful place and the people are wonderful.”

Tom Waters, United Kingdom: “It’s the city with everything – beaches, nightlife and, of course, the stadium. We haven’t seen anything of the crime that’s been reported in the press. If you’re sensible, you will manage to avoid it.”

Charlie Beall, United Kingdom: “I like the fact that we are standing here in the middle of winter, yet the sun is blaring down and it’s a great day. It’s such a chilled out place.”

Chris Woodthorpe, United Kingdom: “It’s amazing to see the mountains in one direction and the sea in the other. There’s so much to see and do here.”

John Bennet, USA: “Cape Town reminds me a lot of San Francisco with its hills and it’s location next to the water. I can definitely sense a positive vibe in Cape Town.”

CTM: What else have you been up to in Cape Town, besides watching the soccer?

Ian Hamilton, London: “We went to Cape Point to see the penguins and we’ve done a dive with Great White Sharks, in Hermanus. We plan to visit Robben Island, hike up Table Mountain and would like to do a tour of the Winelands.”

Charlie: “I quite like going for a drink and for walks to explore the Mountains, the forests and the Winelands. Unfortunately you can’t swim in the sea here. I would, if I could.”

John: “I’ve just been watching lots of football, drinking and having fun, of course! That pretty much sums it up… Oh, I think I went to Table Mountain…”

CTM: Oh, go on then… What do you think of the World Cup so far?

Eyal Mizlachi, Israel: “We have enjoyed the atmosphere of the World Cup. Portugal was lucky to score 7-0 at Greenpoint Stadium. However, we’re looking forwards to the knock-out stages where football is played at a higher level. I support Argentina and believe that they will be the ones to take the World Cup.”

Ian: “We went to the Fan Zone to watch Bafana. The atmosphere was pretty amazing when they were 2-0 up, but it would have been good if they qualified. Once the host team is out, things can get a little quieter.”

Tom: “Bafana did very well and they were unlucky not to qualify. They played a fantastic game against France.”

CTM: What are your favourite places to watch the soccer?

John: “I’ve been watching it at the Waterfront and the Fan Fest, and I was lucky enough to go and watch one of the matches at Greenpoint Stadium.”

Daniel Gendelman, New York: “I like watching the soccer at the Ferryman’s for a good vibe and big beers. It’s situated in the Waterfront, so this means that you have plenty of other facilities close to hand.”

Ian: “It has to be Greenpoint Stadium – it’s incredible. It’s a shame that England drew [when we went to watch them], but by far, the stadium is the best place.”

CTM: What do you think of Cape Town as a host city for the World Cup?

Daniel: “They’ve been a fabulous host. Everything is safe and well organised. Places are easy to get to. Cape Town is one of the greatest cities I’ve ever been to and I’m thrilled to be here. You couldn’t ask for a better host.”

CTM: What is your opinion of vuvuzelas?

John: “I’m so used to hearing them that they don’t bother me anymore. I can understand that they might get on peoples nerves, but they add atmosphere to the games. Vuvuzelas are cool!”

Charlie: “I hate them. I think that they are a terrible invention and that they should be banned. I hate the fact that you can’t just come straight out with it and proclaim: ‘vuvuzelas are terrible!’, without in some way being unpatriotic.”

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By Lisa Nevitt and Susanne Klatt