PlanetEye

With only 759 day and counting to the kick off of the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup in South Africa. There are several stadiums being built and renovated across South Africa.

The games will be played in 9 different cities across the country with each having its own character and attractions.

Cape Town's main Stadium is the Green Point Stadium and once completed it will have seating capacity of 70 000. It's situated at the base of the world renown Table Mountain.

Durban's Golden Mile has a variety of attractions such as restaurants, promenades and white sandy beaches. The new Durban Stadium will be able to seat 70 000 people.

Then next is the line of Cities in the Financial Capital of South Africa, Johannesburg. Ellis Park Stadium is in the centre of this bustling city that is also known as the place of gold. The refurbished stadium can seat 61 000 fans.

Manguang more commonly known as Bloemfontein with vast open spaces and a city thats open and friendly. The Free State Stadium is currently undergoing going a makeover and when completed it will be able to seat 48 000 Soccer Fans.

Nelson Mandela Bay also known as Port Elizabeth ,a friendly city and home to some immaculate beaches. When the construction is completed it will have the capacity to seat 48 000 soccer fans.

Nelspruit is home to some of South Africa's amazing forests, waterfalls and is like a little Garden Of Eden. On Completion Mbombela Stadium will seat 46 000 fans.

Polokwane's Peter Mokaba Stadium 5km from the city centre and seating 45 000 people.

In the heart of the bush is the city of Rustenberg 25 minutes from Sun City. Its Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace will be able to hold 42 000 soccer fans.

Then finally the city of Tshwane formerly known as Pretoria is home to Loftus Veld the most established stadium in South Africa, it was built in 1906 and is rich in history.

There's a host of smaller stadiums that are being built or refurbished for training grounds and smaller practice games.

All South Africans are working to making 2010 Soccer World Cup a truly African experience!!

The 27th April 1994 is a life changing day in the lives of South Africans and one that will never be forgotten. After Decades of Apartheid rule all South Africans were given a chance to vote in a free and fair democratic election.

I was at the time in my teens and can remember the day clearly even though I could not vote I went with my parents to see a change being made. I am part of what is classed as the Coloured Race in South Africa - not black and not white but a blend of European, Indonesian and Malaysian heritages. Only in my late 20's would I come to realise that the term Coloured is an offensive one to many societies around the world but to me and millions of other South Africans it is who we are.

Anyway on the morning of the 27th April 2004 we all got up bright and early and packed a picnic basket and went to queue at a local community hall. It was the first time that my parents were going to vote. The line went around the block twice and up a side street as thousands of South Africans came to vote. Only after 4 hours of standing in the sun were my parents able to make their mark. The day was filled with emotions and people came out of the polling station crying from happiness but also for those who had lost their lives in the struggle for freedom. We passed other polling stations seeing thousands of people ,some very old standing and all waiting their turn to vote.

Today we celebrate Freedom Day on the 27th April with parades, festivals & rallies so that no one forgets this life changing day. Now 14 years later we are living in a democracy were everyone is free although many people believe that the government is not doing enough, I say Rome was not built in a day. Millions of homes have been built, jobs created, electric and sanitation supplied to millions of previously disadvantaged South Africans. Above all of this WE ARE FREE!!! Free to work towards forgiving those who oppressed us and working together towards a brighter future regardless of who we are!

Gansbaai is a popular spot for Great White Shark viewing and Cage Diving. All Shark Viewing Operators should adhere to safety regulations ensuring the safety of all adrenalin/adventure seekers. Unfortunately on the 13 April 2008 a freak wave capsized a shark cage diving vessel after the wave hit the "Shark Team" an 11 meter catamaran killing two Americans and one Norwegian tourists and leaving seven injured. Craig Lambinon from NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) confirmed that "Without a shadow of a doubt it was a freak or rogue wave,". The wave was approximately 4 meters high and hit the boat broadside on, the normal swell of about 2 meters passed underneath the boat whilst at the same time a freak wave swept over it. The operator, White Shark Project believed the cameraman was one of the safest vessels in the industry.

According to a tourist on board they had completed their dive and were returning to shore when the wave struck. Ten tourists and nine crew members were all tossed into the sea. Those who met their death were said to be sucked in and trapped underneath the boat. An eyewitness to the disaster said that he was impressed with the rescue. Whilst other witnesses said the tragedy reminded them of the Asian Tsunami of 2004.

Having experienced shark cage cage diving (with a different operator) at Gansbaai last year I must recommend that any future tourists choose their operator very carefully as one we went with was (although giving a very enjoyable experience) most definitely money grabbing, and at the time I had severe doubts over their safety record because of this greed. If I spent nearly $250 for a shark diving experience,I don't expect to pay $5 extra for a hot shower!!!

Other forms of profiteering included only allowing customers ONE hot drink during the whole experience from a large hot water urn provided. At the end of a cold, choppy and soaking wet voyage - any more than one drink was classed as an optional extra which would be be charged for!!

I cant say this has anything to do with this tragedy but I'm just making potential tourists more cautious over the operator they choose. I will be adding a recommended operator later on in the year after reviewing the whole operation at Gansbaai so keep a lookout...

Cape Town's a stunning city to visit and explore and the best way to do that is to hire a car! But beware! South Africa's accident rate is horrendous and one of the worst in the world!!

Remember in South Africa you drive on the Left hand side of the road......(unless your a taxi driver from Jo'burg!!!!).

It's compulsory to carry an international driving permit that's written in English.

Make sure you keep to the speed limits (speed cameras are commonplace) and obey basic driving rules. It's illegal to use any cellphone while driving unless it's a hands free. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence!! If you decide to indulge yourself then arrange for a driver or taxi service.

Always have the phone number of the destinations you are visiting in case you get lost.

Never pick up hitch hikers and keep your doors locked. Never leave valuables lying around the car, keep them out of sight. Any time you feel unsure or threatened make your way to the nearest Police Station and when there sound your horn till someone comes out to help you.

Don't get worried when South Africans refer to Robots,there not on the latest drug, they just mean traffic lights!!.......(unless they are taxi driver from Jo'burg, in which case they probably are on the latest drug!!!!).

The freeways and city roads are well maintained and well signposted with several 24 hr. petrol stations in most suburbs. In the countryside it's another story with many gravel roads and petrol stations few and far between. Don't totally rely on what guidebooks say about Petrol stations or you could end up stuck dry in the middle of nowhere.

Above all take it easy and arrive alive!!

Visitors are always concerned about safety in Africa but there’s often less risk than other major developed cities when visiting Cape Town just follow basic common sense and a few tips:

Try not to carry all your cash, documents and travellers cheques with you, rather split the cash up and keep your documents in a safe place at your accommodation. If you have to take large sums of cash out with you, split it up and have ’decoy money’ which you could divert any attackers attention with.

Make certified copies of any travel documents you have and keep originals in a safe place at your accommodation.

Try to only use banks internal ATM’s, if not available use well lit main street ones. When at an ATM beware! whose watching? don’t allow anyone to assist you no matter how polite! If your card is stuck then call the hotline number from the ATM!

If you loose your Passport, Bank Cards or other valuables, report it immediately to the Police ,your countries consulate and /or your bank or credit card hotline.

Remember your in an undeveloped Country don’t go around with mobiles, jewellery, cameras, mp3`s etc. visible as they could be a temptation.

Only practice safe sex!

Capetonians are very friendly and will have no hassles in offering help with anything from directions to advice on the best place to eat.

Important Numbers

Police 10111

Ambulance 10177

Mobile Emergency call centre 112

Emergency call centre 021 480 7700

Wilderness Search & Rescue 021 948 9900

Please note these are really only basic common sense guidelines which can be used for general travelling and there for your safety as well as others!!! Cape Town is a stunning city and a place you will most definitely fall in love, just be safe!!!

South Africa is currently going through an energy crisis and Eskom the power supplier has implemented a system of "load shedding". Basically what it is regular scheduled power cuts that's suppose to last up to 2 hours to alleviate electricity demand. This should ensures that we do not have total blackouts throughout the city or country.

South Africa's energy is supplied by Eskom, who over the years have had several problems. This has definitely impacted not only on daily life of South Africans but also tourists.

The government has now stepped in and are working with Eskom to find a solution to the energy crisis, but it is still many years of power cuts to come. Eskom has also started the process of building two new power station to assist in meeting the electricity demand.

The best way to deal with the power cuts is just to take it in your stride and do as all Capetonians do "CHILL"

So you are sitting with no electricity in a foreign land what now? The most important bit of advice I can offer you is DO NOT PANIC. Take it as an adventure and not as an inconvenience. This is Africa after all!!!

Drive cautiously at the Robots as they will not be working (by the way traffic lights are called robots in SA!)

Remember all robots become 4 way stops, stop at all junctions and wait your turn

If you are able to stop and enjoy your surroundings then do so

Several restaurants operate on gas or have generators that can be used during this time.

Save electricity where you can by putting lights off, machines off standby mode when not being used.

If you cannot think of anything else to do .... just go to bed??