If you're making your way to South Africa next year for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and are nervous about the country's crime rate statistics marring your experience, well that's pretty understandable. The South African government however is making a concerted effort to ensure visitor safety during the World Cup period with 41 000 police officers being deployed during the event. I also noted a step up in security this morning on the South African railway line service, Metrorail, with a friendly security guard checking passenger tickets at almost every stop. The system may not be perfect yet, but it is a dedicated work in progress.

Still on the World Cup front, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is nearing its end. The trophy, currently in Kenya, will make its final stop in South Africa, just before the 2010 Final Draw event. Once the event takes place in early December at the CTICC, it all starts to get a little more real. Ticket sales will rocket as fans know who's playing where and when, so I hope you've saved up enough and are able to beat the rush. The second phase of ticket sales ends today, but the third phase begins on 5 December. Let the countdown continue.


Sindy Peters, content manager
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