2010 World Cup City Preview: Cape Town

(Because it is likely that I cannot tell you a single thing about some of the teams in the World Cup, I will resort to a different World Cup Preview. Instead of taking a look at the teams playing in the World Cup, over the next month before the Cup begins, I will preview each of the 9 cities playing host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Last but certainly not least, Cape Town!)

Population: 3,497,097

Province: Western Cape

Average Temperature in June: High: 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celcius). Low: 48 degrees Fahrenheit (6 Celcius).

Average Precipitation in June: 3.70 inches (94 mm).

Brief History: In search for a passage to Asia in the late 15th century, Europoeans thought the only way possible there was to go around the tip of Africa. That tip of Africa would later be known as the Cape of Good Hope, and the city built out of that Cape became Cape Town.

During the era of Apartheid, Cape Town was especially hit. As it was throughout the rest of South Africa during this era, the white minority dominated the region and forced the entire coloured population to live in separate sections of the town, resulting in tremendous poverty and terrible conditions. After being imprisoned for 27 years, Nelson Mandela was released from prison on February 11, 1990, and gave this impassioned speech. This video will say more about Cape Town and South Africa then I ever could.



Today, Cape Town is the 2nd most populous city in South Africa (behind Johannesburg) and also holds the title of legislative capital of South Africa, joining Pretoria as the executive capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Though sadly as with lots of South Africa cities, Cape Town is also struggling with violent crime, drugs, Tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

United States Sister City: Miami, Florida.

Venue: Cape Town Stadium

Cape Town Stadium is yet another brand new stadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The capacity of the stadium is 69,070 and is the replacement of the old Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, which was demolished just for this new stadium for the World Cup. It was opened in 2009 and has gone through test runs in terms of U-20 matches and some South African club matches, but this World Cup will be the first major event held in Cape Town Stadium.

Games being played in Cape Town Stadium
June 11: Group A: Uruguay vs. France
June 14: Group F: Italy vs. Paraguay
June 18: Group C: England vs. Algeria
June 21: Group G: Portugal vs. North Korea
June 24: Group E: Cameroon vs. Netherlands
June 29: Round of 16: Group H Winner vs. Group G Runner-up
July 3: Quarterfinal Match
July 6: Semi-final Match

Lastly, here are some images of Cape Town.






(Thanks to Wikipedia in addition to several web sites dedicated to Johannesburg and South Africa. Stay tuned as I look at the other cities hosting the 2010 World Cup.)