20 Days to Go!

New Durban Airport - Just in time for the World Cup, the new Durban International Airport (called King Shaka International) opened on schedule on the 1st of May. Pretty impressive, both as an airport and for being ready on time - that's no mean feat in this country.

Transport Workers Strike - However, just when we thought things were running along smoothly, the transport workers suddenly decide they need more money, asking for a 15% increase. A bit optimistic when inflation is 5%.  But the employers have offered 11% - most of it is taxpayers' money so they can afford to be generous. Latest news is that the strikers have come down to 12%. But that doesn't help all the importers who are sitting on Durban beach looking at the ships full of World Cup merchandise and stadium equipment, waiting at anchor because the dockers are part of the strike.

People Movers - Meanwhile, Durban Municipality have unveiled their fantastic new transport mode to carry visitors around the city during the World Cup. The slogan for the new machine is "The Way the City Moves!"  A couple of UK tourists interviewed by the Sunday Tribune were reported as saying "It is an awesome way for tourists to get around and it is very cheap.  It goes all the way to the beaches so we have really enjoyed that as well as visiting other focal points in the city. In the UK it would cost at least R35 to R50 per day, but here it is R4 for a single trip and only R10 for a day pass!"  There are 34 People Mover stops around the city and at the "transfer station", you can move from one People Mover to another!

Oh my gosh, what can it be, this amazing new futuristic invention - it's a.......(wait for it). It's a........bus. Yeah, it's a bus!  What's all the damn fuss about? It's a single-decker bus with a driver at the front and a ticket machine and the words "People Mover" written on the side.  So, don't miss out on your chance to ride on a "People Mover" when you are in Durban.

Police Chief's Joke - National Police Commissioner, "General" Bheki Cele was admonished for saying that he hoped the USA soccer team would be knocked out in the first round of the World Cup because he would be saved the security nightmare of having President Obama coming to South Africa. He said he was joking, but I don't think he was.

Tickets - There are still 200 000 tickets available for World Cup matches, and fans have been warned not to buy tickets from street vendors here in SA - they are probably fraudulent. And don't trust emails offering tickets at cheap prices.

Arrive early for matches - Fans have been advised that due to strict security measures, they should aim to get to stadia some three hours before the matches kick off.  Seems a little extreme, but having spent several hours stuck in queues at airports waiting to go through security, it's probably good advice!

That's it for now, people - not long to go.