Crime, Rising Costs Draw Concerns for World Cup Host

With the first game of the 2010 World Cup exactly two years away, many in host country South Africa are concerned about rising inflation, increased violence, and skyrocketing costs of stadium construction.

1 minute read

June 11, 2008, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Organising committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan told Reuters he expected the final cost for the construction and renovation of 10 venues for the finals to finish well above the current budget of 9.8 billion rand ($1.24 billion)."

"'It will probably be over 10 billion rand,' Jordaan said, adding that the financing of the venues remained a challenge."

"'We are dealing with now with final costs of the stadiums, which are soaring as a result of the downturn in the world economy and rising fuel prices,' he said."

"South African inflation hit a 5-1/2 year high of 10.4 percent in April. Rising fuel prices and likely electricity price hikes to address a dire power crisis mean it could go higher."

"Jordaan said recent attacks on African immigrants, accused by poor South Africans of taking jobs and fuelling a crime wave, also had a potentially negative impact on the tournament. At least 62 people were killed and nearly 100,000 displaced."

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 in ESPN

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight