The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a tournament infused with social commentary. Doubts were raised over South Africa's capacity and suitability to host the event - some fearing an explosion of criminal activity against fans or a failure of infrastructure. Others viewed the tournament as a logistical triumph in the face of a crippling global recession, and an important victory over the unenlightened voices of the 'Afro-pessimists;' now going so far as to place the event...

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was a tournament infused with social commentary. Doubts were raised over South Africa's capacity and suitability to host the event - some fearing an explosion of criminal activity against fans or a failure of infrastructure. Others viewed the tournament as a logistical triumph in the face of a crippling global recession, and an important victory over the unenlightened voices of the 'Afro-pessimists;' now going so far as to place the event amongst the most successful of any major global sports mega-events. What is clear is that the tournament has been about more than just football - it has been a continental 'event' of great symbolic significance.

The Royal African Society invites you to join a panel of commentators from South Africa and beyond to discuss such themes, focussing on the successes, perceptions and possible legacies the tournament has produced.

Featuring:

John Battersby International Marketing Council of South Africa / International Journalist

Renee Horne Ex-SABC senior political journalist and war correspondent, SOAS PhD student and teaching assistant.

Joel Kibazo Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House / Director of Communications and Public Affairs, and spokesperson of the Commonwealth Secretariat

Thapelo Moloantoa Manager, FullCircle Sport Media

Steve Bloomfield Foreign Editor of Monocle and author of 'Africa United: How Football Explains Africa'