The Costs of AFCON 2013

Posted on | mei 25, 2012 | 6 Comments

South Africa will be hosting the African Cup of Nations, the biennial African football competition that will be changing from even to odd-numbered years in 2013. In many ways this is probably good news — South Africa has the best infrastructure in terms of stadiums and roads, it has the media facilities and the wherewithal to put on a fantastic tournament. The country hosted one of the most successful World Cups. AFCON will be a walk in the park.

At least this is true from a football fan’s perspective. But South Africa also is likely to lose hundreds of millions of rands as a result of hosting the continent’s premiere sporting event. There is a legitimate debate to be had as to whether or not hosting the World Cup was “worth it” (which of course also depends on what “worth it” means, thus the scare quotes). But it is difficult to see the upside in South Africa hosting the event in 2013. Maybe some countries with smaller economies would see positive economic impact from the tournament. But it is likely to bring little in terms of tourists to South Africa, a country that already sees impressive numbers of visitors, and given the cost of hosting the event, it is almost certain to cost South Africa a lot more than it brings in even if it does allow the country to utilize some of its stadia.

AFCON local organizing committee (LOC) chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe claims that the event will create 18 600 jobs. I would love to see the evidence for this claim and would especially like to know how many of those jobs are more than temporary work for the duration of the tournament.

[Full hypocrisy disclosure: My skepticism would not prevent me from attending the tournament, and almost certainly enjoying it immensely, if given the chance. My concerns are more pragmatic than moral even if this strikes me as a shortsighted allocation of resources.]

AUTHOR: Derek Charles Catsam
URL: http://africa.foreignpolicyblogs.com
E-MAIL: derekcatsam [at] hotmail.com

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Comments

6 Responses to “The Costs of AFCON 2013”

cebo
september 13th, 2012 @ 15:05

i would like to know hcan one apply for a job that will be opened during the afcon 2013 that will be taking place right here in south africa
cebo
september 13th, 2012 @ 15:06

i would like to know how can one apply for a jobs that will be opened during the afcon 2013 that will be taking place right here in south africa
Bajabulisile Khumalo
september 18th, 2012 @ 13:10

I would like to know about jobs available in Durban for Afcon 2013.
Irvin Shange
november 16th, 2012 @ 17:16

I would like the organisers to let us know of the job opportunities that will be available next year during the 2013 AFCON. I have matric and i perfectly passed it. If any forms to be filled out, don’t hessitate emailing them to me.
SIPHIWO
december 3rd, 2012 @ 14:42

Would like to know of jobs availabe durin 2013 AFCON and also of how one can apply.
Edward
januari 11th, 2013 @ 21:44

I’ll like to know if theres any available jobs in afcon, i’m available for any job especially around gauteng