On Sunday Sept. 6, I was among the privileged Highway Africa participants who were given a tour of the newly-constructed Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, in the beautiful seaside city of Port Elizabeth, during a reception organized in the stadium's VIP foyer by MTN and the South African World Cup Organizing Committee.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
The reception was an opportunity for World Cup 2010 officials to showcase SA's level of preparation for next year's world cup to media practitioners from all over Africa.
Without doubt, the beautiful port city of Port Elizabeth (which seems like a futuristic version of what the town of Limbe, Cameroon, would look like if anyone bothered to develop it) is ready. Its road and telecommunications infrastructure is in an impeccable state; its well-oiled hotel and transportation services ready to go. Most importantly, the 48,000 capacity architectural masterpiece, the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium is also ready for the first game save for a few finishing touches, which Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, assures will be complete by October this year. Here are some pictures of the Nelson Mandela stadium:
Inside Nelson Mandela Bay stadium
The nearly complete press box
Inside the yet unfurnished presidential suite
Watching the Nigeria-Tunisia World Cup qualifier from the Presidential Suite
Schalk De Milander, head of security at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium
The immaculate pitch itching for action
"...the beautiful port city of Port Elizabeth (which seems like a futuristic version of what the town of Limbe, Cameroon, would look like if anyone bothered to develop it)..."
If that happened, perhaps Mr. Biya and entourage would drop 1 million euro there every few months instead of in France or Germany.
Posted by: bobc | September 17, 2009 at 03:11 AM
the town victorianot limbe please
thats what foreigners call it. including
ahijo.
Posted by: dango tumma | September 20, 2009 at 09:00 PM
OHH
HOW I WISH!!
SHOULD THE LIMBE MILE 4 FUTURE STADIUM TAKE THIS LOOK.
YOU ARE THE INSIDER,TANDE
Posted by: Edmund njoh | September 24, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Perhaps, If only the whites could have bothered to develop Limbe & Cameroon...
Recall that African peoples input into South Africa's development, even 15 years after the end of Apartheid is dismal...Black townships and neighborhoods are dirty and nothing to write home about, though blacks run the country...So, it may not be a Biya or Limbe thing....perhaps its a black versus white thing....If Only whites could return to develop Limbe!
Posted by: The Entrepreneur Newsonline | October 22, 2009 at 04:35 AM
the stadium seems a wonderful piece of art
Posted by: simsim | December 03, 2009 at 05:56 PM
It was a great World Cup! Well Done, South Africa!
Posted by: Greg | January 19, 2012 at 08:57 AM