I’m attending this year’s World Cup and both the airfare and lodging is absolutely outrageous. I agree with paying a premium to visit South Africa during this time, but I feel like many establishments, and airlines are probably making profits that will get them to the end of the year on just those few weeks during the World Cup. It’s ridiculous. America is in a recession and we are the largest group of ticket holders. Wait, maybe we’re getting what we’ve given, lol. Too bad, I didn’t get any games in Cape Town. I’ll be mostly in Johannesburg. Read the article below… ~ Affrodite
March 29, 2010 (Forimmediaterelease.net) — Cape Town is set to offer the best value for money during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, according to the results of a month-long accommodation pricing survey carried out by Grant Thornton South Africa on March 26, 2010. On the back of much international criticism that South Africa is price-gouging during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a survey was contracted by the Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, to establish a clear picture of prices throughout the country.
The survey polled 2,479 accommodation establishments from all nine provinces with 38 percent of respondents coming from the Western Cape region. Establishments included hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, lodges, backpackers, camping, and self-catering facilities. The survey results have shown that 65 percent of Johannesburg establishments are charging more than 50 percent higher than their peak season rates, with Durban coming in at 53 percent, hiking their prices to 50 percent and over their high season rates. The survey found that less than 20 percent of Cape Town’s establishments are going this route, proving that a hands-on pricing message campaign by the region’s tourism authorities has resulted in a fair, realistic pricing market for Cape Town.
The Grant Thornton Survey attributed the fair pricing in Cape Town to two occurrences, namely the excess supply of accommodation due to Cape Town’s excellent accommodation capacity and the recent opening of many new hotels adding to the already good levels of supply. This coupled with a significant slowdown in demand has forced operators to tightly control rates in order to achieve acceptable occupancies. The second factor is the efforts of Cape Town Tourism to promote ethical pricing during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and the signing of a 2010 FIFA World Cup™ “pricing code-of-conduct.
CAPE TOWN TOURISM WARNS AGAINST OVERPRICING
Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariette Du-Toit Helmbold, commented: “Already, as far back as 2006, Cape Town Tourism launched a series of awareness sessions around the World Cup and provided the industry with pricing guidelines for the event in line with peak season rates. I strongly believe that our consistent messaging around responsible pricing and the industry’s commitment have paid off – setting an excellent standard for Cape Town in long-term pricing legacy and sustainability.”
Cape Town Tourism in particular was quick to warn the industry of pitfalls experienced by other international destinations who have previously hosted major events. “Countries that inflated tourism costs during the event, damaged their brand, and it has taken some of them years to rebuild perception,” warned Du Toit-Helmbold.
CAPEINFO.COM AND CAPE TOWN TOURISM CONDUCT PRIVATE SURVEY
International price sensitivity, security fears, and a perception that South Africa was out-pricing itself, led Cape Town Tourism, in partnership with www.capeinfo.com, to conduct their own price point survey as of January 2010. Their findings reflected those of Grant Thornton’s survey – that the larger portion of establishment owners in the Cape are pricing responsibly and bookings are on the increase.
THE CODE OF RESPONSIBLE PRICING FOR CAPE TOWN
Only a few weeks ago, major Cape Town tourism industry role players signed the Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town thus committing to, and encouraging establishment owners to, price sensibly and offer value for money. It also serves as a reminder to be mindful of tourism’s role in social responsibility and the sustainable legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
LOCATION AND OCCUPANCY LEVELS
Cape Town Tourism’s most recent member poll around hotel occupancy during the FIFA World Cup period, revealed that five- and four-star hotels in and around the CBD and Green Point areas are doing very well. Most were fully booked on match days with limited availability for the rest of the World Cup, whereas hotels of the same grading further afield, in the northern and southern suburbs, as well as Somerset West, are seeing slower bookings and more availability due to their distance from the games.
Du-Toit Helmbold carries on to say: “My advice to tourism businesses is to remain responsible as far as pricing is concerned and not expect significant immediate or short-term gains. If we can deliver excellent value for money experiences, the long-term benefits of hosting the World Cup will far outweigh the short term and will have positive spin-offs for all of us. Let us work together towards an unforgettable event, welcoming all visitors with open arms to the Mother City, and let us look towards a bright future for tourism in Cape Town. Thank you Cape Town!”
For more information on World Cup accommodation or the Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town, please contact Cape Town Tourism on +27 21 487 6800.
Nike, adidas, Reusch and Calle Republic have sponsored a writing contest for the AVID Soccer coach, player, fan and goalkeeper. Stories will be published on AVID Soccer.
March 29, 2010, PALMDALE, CA (via PR.com) — AVID Soccer has partnered with Nike, adidas, Reusch and Calle Republic to honor soccer fanatics. The contest consists of a written story and picture(s). Select entries will be published on AVID Soccer (http://www.avidsoccer.com) or in the AVID Soccer news (http://news.avidsoccer.com). Winners will be selected during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The Contest Categories:
AVID Soccer Coach presented by Nike (http://www.nikesoccer.com)
The award honors a coach’s dedication to his/her players, organization and soccer. The selection committee will choose the story that represents this ideal. The winning selection will receive a pair of Nike’s amazing Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II boots valued at $400.
AVID Soccer Fan presented adidas (http://www.adidas.com/soccer)
The fan award pays tribute to the fanatical supports that keep the clubs and the press going. Tell the story of that pride and dedication. What better way to celebrate than with the $150 Jabulani ball (Zulu for celebrate). It is the official ball for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
AVID Soccer Player presented by Calle Republic (http://www.callerepublic.com)
Players give their heart and soul to the game. Tell the story of a player who left it all on the field. Calle doesn’t just leave it on the field; they take it to the streets. They have put a package together valued around $150.
AVID Soccer Goalkeeper presented by Reusch (http://www.reuschusa.com)
The goalkeeper is the last line of defense and the first point of attach. No team can compete without a force in the net. Tell the story of that keeper and Reusch will give the winner a pair of their Magno Deluxe M1 Ortho-Tec professional gloves retailing for $150.
The Rules:
Entries must be a unique and original story between 200-500 words with at least one picture. Entries must be submitted electronically directly to AVID Soccer (Contest@avidsoccer.com) or added to the AVID Soccer Facebook discussion for the respective category. Entries should describe why someone meets the qualifications (self nominations are encouraged). There is no limit to the number of nominations, but each must be a unique and original story. Entries must be received between March 29, 2010 and May 28, 2010. Winners will be announced the week of June 21st. The contest is open to US Residents over the age of 18. Youth entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian.
All entries become the property of AVID Soccer. Winners will be selected by a committee and all decisions are final. Winners will be contacted by AVID Soccer for size and shipping information. Prizes will be shipped by the manufacturer four to six weeks later.
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About AVID Soccer:
AVID Soccer is a grass roots organization that provides information and training to individual players, groups and teams. AVID Soccer consists of coaches and trainers dedicated to improving the image of soccer; the level of training; and the level of play. (http://www.avidsoccer.com)
The AVID Soccer Equipment Review (ASER), one of the largest independent review sites, provides objective testing services, reviews and information on soccer equipment and related products. The AVID Soccer Equipment review web log was founded in March 2006. (http://blog.avidsoccer.com)
AVID Soccer News presents product announcements, player gossip, team transfers, lifestyle, etc. In short, we present the news and views of the soccer world. Articles are compiled from original content, press releases and reprinted publications. (http://news.avidsoccer.com)
Bilingual Singer / Songwriter Roger Campo releases 2010 World Cup Song
(PR Log), Mar 09, 2010 – American Singer/Songwriter Roger Campo (www.myspace.com/rogercampo) has released a song for the 2010 World Cup. The song titled “2010 Soccer – All Around The World” was produced by Rudy Guess who has produced several of Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame Singer/Songwriter Carol King’s most recent records.
“2010 Soccer – All Around The World,” is a celebration of the most popular sport on the planet and the enthusiasm and excitement felt by fans in every corner of the globe.
Radio & Television stations as well as all other media outlet can get a free MP3 copy simply by emailing a request to live365lb@gmail.com.
March 3, 2010 — South Africa Project (www.southafricaproject.org), the 2010 FIFA World Cup-centric initiative of Ubuntu Now (ubuntunow.org), has launched a “Wall of Supporters” on its website. As the international spotlight on South Africa continues to increase while the biggest single sports event on earth grows closer, the South Africa Project hopes to use the heightened visibility to raise global awareness of the nation’s deep-seated gender equality issues.
“The Wall is an easy way for anyone to become part of an extended part of a group of people that want to make a difference,” said Klaus Holzapfel, founder and president of Ubuntu Now. “We think that in addition to enjoying the World Cup, fans and non-fans alike should use this time of celebration to make a contribution and show their support for the people of South Africa.”
Prominently displayed on the South Africa Project’s website, the new “Wall of Supporters” is a collective graphic page on which contributors are offered a place on the wall in exchange for a minimum donation of $10. Besides allowing donors a way to publicly display their belief in the cause, each avatar provides a portal to the individual’s online presence. Via use of rollovers, viewers are able to access the supporter’s customizable Ubuntu Now profile, personal website and Facebook and Twitter, along with other social media links.
Every $10 Wall donation to the South Africa Project is utilized. For example, $70 provides a community with a rape prevention education and promotion kit, $400 can put a community mobilizer to work, and $1,000 sponsors a comprehensive community workshop on the subject. More information can be found at One Man Can (genderjustice.org.za/onemancan), a partner of the South Africa Project.
“It would be a travesty to gloss over the country’s issues at this crucial time,” said Holzapfel. “We can’t forget that 25 percent of South African men admit to sexual assault by force and that, according the BBC, a South African woman has a higher chance of being raped than she does of learning how to read and write.”
South Africa has arguably the highest incidence of rape on the globe, with over 50,000 reported cases and expert estimates of the total number of cases around 500,000. In addition, the country has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection, with 12.7 percent of South Africans infected, compared with 0.4 percent in the United States. And 1.4 million South African children have been orphaned as a result of the virus’ devastation.
South Africa Project was created by Colorado non-profit organization Ubuntu Now, which is dedicated to preventing rape and domestic violence through the promotion of gender equality among boys and young men. Additionally, the organization offers psychological support to victims of rape and domestic violence, including those who have contracted HIV/AIDS as a result of these crimes.
New York, NY, February 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Leading global African-themed style and cultural magazine ARISE selected top African designers Black Coffee (www.blackcoffee.co.za), Loin Cloth and Ashes (www.loinclothandashes.com) along with Deola Sagoe (www.deolasagoedesign.com) to showcase Fall/Winter 2010 designs during the publication’s AFRICAN COLLECTIVE PART III Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway presentation.
On Saturday, February 13th at 8 p.m., show producer Jan Malan will transform Bryant Park’s largest venue, The Tent, into a living African landscape with elaborate staging inspired by award-winning poet Ben Okri. Models will walk through a virtual day and night on the great continent flush with excitement as South Africa gears up to host the FIFA World Cup and many states celebrate a half century of independence as well as economies poised for rapid growth.
The AFRICAN COLLECTIVE PART III, along with a series of international ARISE-branded events, will act as a unique and valuable platform for the great scope of talent ARISE Magazine documents monthly. Chairman and CEO Nduka Obaigbena of Leaders & Co., parent company to this London-based publication and Nigeria’s best-selling newspaper THISDAYwww.thisdayonline.com), believes the event will create and promote positive images to its readership residing throughout the world and even encourage investment in African nations. (
“Our tomorrow is bright,” said Obaigbena, “Showing for the third consecutive season at Bryant Park and in a larger venue is a testament to the continued success of our initiatives. I look forward to what is sure to be an amazing usage of African visual aesthetics recreated on the catwalk.”
Fresh from Berlin Fashion Week and receiving the Mercedes Benz South Africa Best Fashion Award 2009, Black Coffee designers Jacques van der Watt and Danica Lepen are new to a US audience. “It’s a great experience for us and a little bit of a treat in a business that is a great deal of hard work,” said van der Watt.
Lagos-based Deola Sagoe will be returning to New York Fashion Week after a decade. “To have come this far ordains a measure of success that I could not have imagined for myself. I am thrilled and honoured to be showing in New York.”
For the first time, an emerging designer, Loin Cloth and Ashes, from Tanzania, will also be part of the collective ensuring a triumvirate of African Design is represented. “My one dream was always to show my work in Africa,” said Anisa Mpungwe. “I would have never for one minute thought that I would ever show overseas, let alone in America, I am grateful to ARISE Magazine for this incredible opportunity.”
In addition to the New York show, ARISE Magazine will present during Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2010, and host a Fashion Rocks! event in Johannesburg on July, 9, 2010. The highly-anticipated event will feature a fashion show and simultaneous performance by an uber, American songstress.
ARISE is a global style magazine that celebrates African achievement in the realms of fashion, music, culture and polity. It is published by THISDAY Media Group. The high-end monthly glossy is sold in London, New York, Washington DC, Milan, Paris and Nigeria. It is aimed at areadership within the global African diaspora that share an interest in the cultural successes and positive social developments coming out of the continent. Its mix of fashion, music, and polity is tailored to appeal to young, affluent readers and to a 60/40 female/male audience.
In 1998, while South Africa was searching for a new identity, Black Coffee was formed by Jacques van der Watt, a graduate of Leggatts Design Academy, Johannesburg. He was joined in 2004 by Danica Lepen, who completed her studies at Midrand Graduate Institute, Johannesburg. In the ten years since its inception, Black Coffee has shown at South African Fashion Week, Cape Town Fashion Week and San Francisco Fashion Week. The label has been nominated five times for the SA Fashion Awards and has won twice (in 2001 and 2007). Black Coffee is also the 2009 winner of the Mercedes Benz Award for Fashion. Black Coffee currently retails from the Black Coffee stores in Melville, Johannesburg, as well as selected stores in Pretoria and Cape Town. A new installation store opened in November 2009 at Arts on Main, Johannesburg.
Nigerian Deola Sagoe began designing in 1998 and has gained international notoriety for her lively and colorful designs. Her aesthetic holds a definitive African feel – making use of woven fabrics, and accessories like cowries, crystals, and beads, as well as the extensive use of gold. She was recently appointed to represent Nigeria in “Catwalk the World: Fashion for Food.” Sagoe frequently exhibits her couture collection at Cape Town Fashion Week and has been an invited guest of New York Fashion Week in the past. Sagoe has won the “Africa Designs” and the MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs 2000 awards for which she was nominated by Andre Leon Tally, US Vogue editor. She also has famous fans such as Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.
Tanzanian- born Anisa Mpungwe launched her label Loin Cloth and Ashes in August 2008. Named after the Hebrew custom of Sackcloth and Ashes, that expresses humility before the higher spirit by wearing coarse cloth, normally used to make sacks, and dusting oneself with ashes. LCA is known for its hidden detailing, elegant edgy vibe, comfort and fit. Dresses make a statement but still maintain timeless air of luxury and style. Inspired by art, music, passion, shape and mood swings, Loin Cloth & Ashes loves a woman who is powerful and confident about herself and the beauty she proudly holds.
50% of your donation (less Pay Pal fees) will go to Emerge Global charity (http://emergeglobal.org/). The other 50% funds the sweat equity I put into my work for your enjoyment. My hope is that one day I will be able to donate 100% to charity.
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