2010 Football World Cup - South Africa

Business Event Highlights

Opening Function 11 June 2010

BCA South Africa 2010 was opened on 11 June 2010 to coincide with the Opening Ceremony and first match of the world cup match in South Africa.  This function provided an informal networking opportunity for traveling Australian business people and Australian

 and South African businesspeople based in Cape Town. 

Austrade's Chief Economist, Tim Harcourt was MC for the evening and former Socceroo, Stan Lazaridis provided some expert football insights during half time of the South Africa v Mexico match. 

Education Function 13 June 2010

An Education industry function was held addressing Curriculum Development with an emphasis on co-operation between South African and Australian tertiary institutions.  Guest speaker, Nicolene Murdoch, who is Director of Program Development ant Monash South Africa highlighted the importance of standards, consistency and continuous improvement in educational curricula at the tertiary level.  Austrade Chief Economist facilitated a Q&A session with Australian Football commentator and BCA Ambassador, Les Murray AM.  Les also provided expert commentary during the half time break of the Australia v Germany match and South African singer-songwriter, Farryl Perkiss, entertained guests with his music.  Guests included representatives from Australian organisations including Monash University, William Institute of TAFE and University of Newcastle aswell as South African education institutes such as University of Stellenbosch, University of Cape Town and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

 AFL South Africa 16 June 2010

AFL South Africa hosted a function to celebrate the growth of AFL popularity in South Africa to over 15 000 participants.  The footyWILD program has already unearthed its first recruit to an Australian AFL Club, with Bayanda Sobetwa who in April 2010 joined Team GWS in western Sydney.  Special guests included The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Australian Minister for Youth and Minister for Sport,  and two emerging AFL talents Sinethemba Boki, and his team-mate Yanga Gqodo from the Khayelitsha Real Divines both recognised for their sporting potential. 

Responsible Mining Function 19 June 2010

Austrade's function on Sustainable Mining highlighted Australia's capability and philosophy into responsible mining and how this can be implemented in Africa.  Guest speakers were Cameron McRae, Managing Director of Richards Bay Minerals and Roy Pearson, Regional Director of Infrastructure and Environment(Europe and Africa) at Worley Parsons.  Greg Hull, Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner facilitated a Q&A session with Les Murray AM, SBS Sport Editorial Supervisor and well known as the face and voice of football in Australia. Les also provided guests with insights at half time of the Australia v Ghana match which was well received by attendees.  

Wine Technology Function 23 June 2010

Dr Francois Van Jaarsveld, researcher for the Post-harvest and Wine Technology Division of the Agricultural Research Council, educated guests on the similarities between South African and Australian wine research and how the two countries can work together to benefit from the results.  Guests were introduced to three Australian wine technology products.  Guests included representatives from The Winery of Good Hope, Thale Wine Cellar Services and Bellingham Wines and half-time commentary was provided by Les Murray.   

BCA South Africa 2010 launched in Cape Town

On Friday 4th December in Cape Town, the draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was announced revealing to the 32 qualified nations, including our Qantas Socceroos, who they will face in the group rounds of the Tournament in June 2010.

The result of the draw has also set into motion the plans of business people throughout the world who acknowledge the powerful business development opportunity that major international sporting events such as this can provide to network with existing or prospective international clients.

BCA South Africa 2010 was launched in Cape Town by the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, HE Ann Harrap and was attended by a number of high-profile guests, including Frank Lowy AC, Chairman Football Federation Australia (FFA); Ben Buckley, Chief Executive Officer FFA; Pim Verbeek, Socceroos Head Coach and several FIFA Executive Committee members including Franz Beckenbauer. The program will provide a variety of networking and client hosting opportunities surrounding the June 11 – July 11 2010 Tournament in South Africa. Participation is free for Australian companies.

Image pictured above L-R: FIFA Committee member Franz Beckenbauer, The Australian High Commissioner to South Africa HE Ann Harrap and Mr Frank Lowy AC, FFA Chairman at the BCA reception on 1 December 2009 in Cape Town.

Other Useful Information

• Football Federation Australia
• Download the FIFA World Cup Consular Card from the Smartraveller site
• Offical Australian Broadcaster: SBS
• Johannesburg Tourism 
• Ticketing: FIFA
• South African accommodation tour and safari providers

Contact Information

More information on business opportunities for Australian companies:

Yvonne Dusabe Business Development Manager Austrade 10th Floor, The Forum, Cnr Maude & 5th Streets Sandton Johannesburg 2146 Tel: +27 11 911 4500; Fax: +27 11 784 0446; M: +27 8 2566 8100 Email: yvonne.dusabe@austrade.gov.au

Tom Calder Export Advisor Austrade Level 31, 140 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia Tel: +61 3 9648 3285 Email: tom.calder@austrade.gov.au

Or for more information on the BCA South Africa 2010 program:

Allison O'Brien Project Manager, Business Club Australia Austrade Level 23, 201 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Tel:  +61 2 9390 2046 Email: allison.obrien@austrade.gov.au