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The announcement in Zurich in May 2004 that South Africa would host the competition was followed very quickly by a resounding skepticism over its ability to stage an event of the World Cup's magnitude.

Unfair prejudice

The questions reflected a prejudice that many previous hosts of major events have had to deal with, notably those outside the supposed competency of North America and northern Europe.

But it wasn't helped by the lack of any decent spin from the South African organizers either, whose public relations machine has barely moved out of first gear.

At first, the country had to deal with the alleged possibility the World Cup might be moved. Australia was an oft-quoted example of an alternate host and FIFA president Sepp Blatter had to several times deny the existence of any such plans.

Once he had rattled off the quote "Plan A is South Africa, Plan B is South Africa and Plan C is South Africa" enough times in various forums, the topic died, only to be quickly followed by persistent questions over the readiness of the stadiums. There are 10 to be used next year - six newly built and four renovated in nine different cities and towns.

The last of the venues is due to be completed, grass pitch included, in January. They are right on schedule and among them the new venues at Soccer City in Johannesburg, in Cape Town and in Durban are extraordinary sights.

South Africa will be ready

Now that debate has washed over, there are persistent questions over transport and accommodation and what will happen to the stadiums once the World Cup is finished?

There hasn't been much opportunity to reflect in a glow of recognition of achievement to date.

I'm sure there will be a few foibles along the way but I am also convinced it's going to be very successful event. The lineup or the draw almost dictates that the competition will be intense.

But with a much slicker approach to dealing with the pessimism a lot of this negativity around South Africa's hosting might never have happened. Issues around security are a perception that hurts the country, although remarkably tourism has risen nine fold over the last decade and the country is actually going to have less visitors during the World Cup (the local organizing committee estimates 500 000) than it usually has over an average month.

Athens suffered similar suspicion  

Athens had to deal with a lot of the same suspicion over its ability to get the 2004 Olympics ready on time and the perception the Games would be a half-finished shambles were still alive even just before the opening ceremony. Yet many still remember the Athens Games as among the best Olympics to date.

The parallels with South Africa are stark but of course the country must still prove itself.

The World Cup draw should bring the reality of situation down here into a much more focused perspective.