â Post-apartheid South Africaâ s first, major, opening-gambit on the global roulette wheel of international sporting events and marketing exposure happens in 2010.What are the likely costs and benefits, and the social issues? This book includes a balanced and largely unsentimental mix of assessments of South Africaâ s prospects in these regards. It is based upon the ... Read moremost important independent research on this subject.â - Dr Jeff McCarthy, Senior Consultant, Centre for Development and Enterprise â At this moment of economic crisis, political transition and deepening social polarisation, the 2010 World Cup represents a barbed opportunity for South Africa. Given what is at stake, we owe a huge debt to the authors of this comprehensive, engaged and creative work. I have no doubt it will become the touchstone of a much needed national conversation that should be read by all concerned.â - Prof Edgar Pieterse, Director of the African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town â A solid contribution to a variety of fields of research on mega-events that introduces new perspectives with a uniquely South African angle and an important record of research which will contribute substantially to encouraging further public and academic engagement on the path to 2010 and beyond.â - Glen Robbins, School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal and freelance consultant on regional and local economic development Show Less