The security industry in South Africa has its work cut out in 2010. Security is perhaps the biggest concern around the Fifa World Cup set to take place later this year. Security companies will be hoping to cash in on the demand by foreigners for their services, particularly in light of recent reports that some countries are seriously considering additional measures above Fifa’s security plan.

Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Germany have confirmed that they plan to either bring their own extra security personnel or hire a South African security company during the tournament. Paranoia around safety at the 2010 World Cup escalated following the attack on the Togo soccer team in early January at the Africa Cup of Nations, held in Angola.

However Irvin Khoza, chairman of the 2010 local organising committee dismissed international speculation that the attack was an indictment on South Africa’s ability to stage the tournament. He highlighted the misconception of Africa as one country and emphasised the physical distance, as well as the differences between Angola and South Africa.

South Africa has spent a massive R1.3 billion on a comprehensive security plan, which includes helicopters for air surveillance, water cannons and 41 000 specially trained officers.

The country has successfully hosted numerous high profile events in the past, such as the Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup in 1995; the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 which was attended by over 37 000 international delegates; and the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, which was moved to South Africa specifically to improve safety.

Diego Maradona, Argentine soccer legend and current manager of his country’s national team visited South Africa last week to inspect the facilities. Maradona, who is well respected in the international football community, said he was confident that South Africa will host a secure World Cup in June.

“I would like to tell the world that there is no need for anyone to be afraid of coming to SA…I have no doubt that it is going to be a great World Cup and there will be no problems with security. This is the impression that I will take to my players and to my country.”

Despite high profile endorsement from Maradona, and assurance from the South African government and Fifa, alarmist stories are continue to crop up. Last week a London-based company was widely condemned for marketing protective stab-proof vests to soccer fans specifically for the World Cup, due to South Africa’s high crime rate.

The company was accused of causing unnecessary fear for commercial gain. While businesses like tourism and security companies may legitimately profit off the event, soccer fans should be wary of purely opportunistic money making ventures.

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For months Africa’s IT professionals and analysts expressed both uncertainty and enthusiasm over the effect that the Seacom fibre optic cable would have on ADSL broadband and other factors which previously prohibited internet access in Africa.

Seacom, which became operational at the end of July 2009, effectively links South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda to Europe and Asia, connecting the African countries to the global broadband network.

There was particular skepticism around claims that the arrival of Seacom would effect a drop in ADSL prices of up to 90 percent. However towards the end of 2009 some major internet service providers (ISPs) started either to cut prices or up data caps, both of which spelled better consumer value.

Telkom, Mweb and WebAfrica are just some ISPs who started introducing price cuts or data increases from September 2009. Such moves confirm that Seacom has positively enhanced market competition, and this trend is expected to continue into 2010. Not quite 90 percent, but progress nonetheless.

Consumer satisfaction looks set to rise further, as a survey by MyBroadband last year showed that South Africans consider ‘price’ the most important factor when choosing an ISP, ahead of other factors like download speed, reliability and support.

World Wide Worx’s Internet Access in South Africa 2010 study showed that internet usage shot up by 15 percent last year, with 5.3 million users (10 percent of the total population) online. This is dramatic considering that from 2002 to 2007 growth remained stagnant at only 7 percent, due to price and lack of market competition.

Expert predictions for Africa’s IT sector for 2010 year indicate that this will be the year that cheap broadband become accessible to computer users. Improved ADSL services will continue to expand the online population, which will start to use the internet in different ways.

4G technology with its promises of live video streaming, integrated wireless and customized personal service will start to emerge in 2010, as will cloud computing and increased mobile online activity.

As South African’s become increasingly internet savvy they will start to allocate their ADSL broadband to more functional activity. Online shopping and commerce will become more popular, opening up opportunities for businesses.

Looks like the soccer pitch is not the only place where exciting things will take place in 2010.

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