South Africa Blog

The Cape Town Carnival was conceived as a community project aimed at bringing together the diverse communities of the City of Cape Town through music, dance, and cultural expression, culminating in a weekend of inclusive fun for Capetonians and visitors alike. The Cape Town Carnival is a celebration of diversity. Over centuries very many people from the four corners of planet earth were drawn together, at the foot of the finest table in the whole world.

Cape Town Carnival will seek to harness this compelling diversity and commitment to the soil in a celebration of SONG, DANCE and CREATIVE abundance.

The lack of a unifying event in Cape Town was identified during a visit to the Rio Carnival. Although Cape Town has no shortage of cultural offerings combining music, dance and other kinds of creativity, these all seem to be catering for particular niches. One thus never sees the rich tapestry of music genres, dance styles together, as an expression of the heart of Cape Town, rich in its diversity.

The beauty of a Carnival is that it allows participation of all, from rich to poor from children to the elderly. It would engage dancers, artists, musicians, engineers – people from every strata of the community in a project that will cross cultural and racial boundaries. It is also aimed at socio-economic development, drawing more tourists to the city and extending the tourist season.

For additional information see the Cape Town Carnival website: http://www.capetowncarnival.com/
For accommodation see Cape Town Accommodation.

FIFA has reaffirmed its faith in South Africa’s ability to host the World Cup in 2010. Fifa President, Sepp Blatter, currently on a trip around South Africa, addressed media on the site of Soccer City in Johannesburg. “You may be assured that nothing can now be against the World Cup in South Africa,” said Blatter.

Fifa Presidendt, Sepp Blatter attributed the recent criticisms levelled against South Africa’s ability to host the event as jealousy. “You must understand that if you are good, people will be jealous of you. And to organise the World Cup in South Africa, there is a lot of jealousy because some people are saying they can do it better. But they cannot, because it will be a wonderful World Cup,” said Blatter.

Related Sites:
South Africa Info
South Africa 2010 Stadiums
 

The unofficial 2010 logo competition site – for African designers (win R4800.00 in prizes).

An unofficial website has been launched to give South African designers an opportunity to design a logo for the 2010 World Cup. This is a response to the logo design process which was a closed bid and only open to 6 design agencies shortlisted by Think – the industry council representing the South Africa design industry. It is believed that a huge PR opportunity was missed by not opening the design up to the whole country, for indivdual designers and the general public alike to take part.

The website advocates that the design process should have been far more democratic and transparent as it would have also encouraged more people to look to design, branding and advertising as a career. This would have created a wave of previously disadvantaged designers entering the industry.

Many designers also feel that the logo is below standard – but instead of promoting criticism, the website invites designers to prove they could have done better through a democratic one person one vote competition, in which the public is invited to view the logos and vote for their favorite logo.

The inspiration for the website was derived from a similar website that was created by 11 German designers, protesting the logo design process for the 2006 World Cup. The website is still up and can be viewed at http://www.11designer.de/

What the website aims to do is hold an unofficial logo design competition which is open to everyone and is free of charge There will be number of prizes supplied by sponsors for the overall winning design. Just as designers are invited to submit their logos – sponsors are invited to contribute and in return will be visible on a website that is sure to attract a lot of attention.

The website also aims to inspire designers to begin designing the official poster and mascot so that it can be submitted to FIFA for possible consideration.

The notthe2010logo.co.za website aims to build enthusiasm, open discussion about the official logo and the selection process itself – as well as act as future portal that will possibly contribute to elements of the 2010 Worlld Cup. The website is non for profit and aims to conribute positively to the World Cup in South Africa while furthering design in South Africa.

The website can be viewed at http://www.notthe2010logo.co.za/. Visit the site to vote for the best logo submitted, join the discussion, get details on how to enter your own logo design and see what you can win!