Poor visitor turnout has Johannesburg worried

The Times of India ^ | Augustus 24 2002 | TIMES NEWS NETWORK

[knighthawk]

JOHANNESBURG: As Johannesburg readies itself for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the slow trickle of visitors has created doubts over the outcome of the conference even before it has started.

Coming ten years after the Rio Summit — whose action plan is yet to be implemented by a majority of the countries — most are not too optimistic.

Many new factors find place in the agenda. In Rio, global warming hogged the limelight. This time, water is expected to figure prominently.

But with only two days to go before the show begins, newspapers declare that the arrivals are not too encouraging.

Empty hotel rooms bear testimony to the claim, striking fear in the hearts of the locals, who bank on the event to boost tourism in the country.

The few who have arrived on time include the media and the non-governmental organizations (NGOs). But most of the foreign delegates, who are being anxiously awaited, are yet to come. The government officials, however, are optimistic.

Foreign affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said she felt the gaps in the action plan for the Summit had been filled and most government officials and heads of state will attend it.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[What Is Ain't]

Maybe they were overcome by the fumes from all the planes headed to Johannesburg.

[Jhensy]

Well, flying halfway around the world to attend a "World Summit on Sustainable Development" is a lot more enticing when your ticket says "Rio" not "Johannesburg". Try Vegas next time, and the number of concerned environmentalists will miraculously triple.

[goldstategop]

Not to mention the fact South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world. Its not calculated to make anyone feel like coming. Even liberals don't want to get mugged on the way on the way to a conference!

[blam]

"Well, flying halfway around the world to attend a "World Summit on Sustainable Development" is a lot more enticing when your ticket says "Rio" not "Johannesburg". Try Vegas next time, and the number of concerned environmentalists will miraculously triple."

Yup. The Romanian delegate who arrived early has already been mugged and his watch was stolen. He said he deserved to be mugged.

[Consort]

Johannesburg

[July 4th]

Not to mention the fact South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world.

Add to that their high proliferation rate of nasty diseases. (TB, AIDS, etc.)

[another cricket]

He said he deserved to be mugged.

I am sure he did deserve it. All politicians should be mugged. Preferably three or four times a day. That is how often they mug us.

a.cricket

[eddie willers]

Probably the most insightful and true post I have seen all day.

[pgobrien]

Not to mention "War Veterans" may decide your belongings are really 'theirs'.

[blam]

Romanian Delegate To "Sustainable Development" Summit Gets Mugged, Says he Deserved It

[Salman]

Maybe Jo'burg's tourist economy is no longer "sustainable".

[Minn]

Well, flying halfway around the world to attend a "World Summit on Sustainable Development" is a lot more enticing when your ticket says "Rio" not "Johannesburg". Try Vegas next time, and the number of concerned environmentalists will miraculously triple.

I had a professor in graduate school that had headed Chrysler divisions all over the world, including Johannesberg. He said that, without a doubt South Africa is the garden spot of the world. Maybe he meant just the physical features of the land, but he seemed to emphazise that it is a wonderful place to visit.

Of course, I'm sure it's more fun to visit any place as head of a major corporate division, than as a insignificant participant in left-wing kookery sponsored by some UN body or another.

[dasboot]

Blam...I thought you were kidding at first!

Do you think this obstensibly irrational reaction many of these types have to being set-upon by "opressed" thuggees is rooted more in a form of mental illness? A craving for the attention one receives for his "Christ-like" response to aggression? Kind of like someone who's repeatedly slicing his wrists or demonstrating his need for therapy and drugs? An "admiration-for-piety" junkie?

There must be a name for this syndrome. Munchausen something?

Is this the extreme behavioral pattern (short of complete, irrational self-sacrifice) resulting from the generalized infirmity of the Liberal mind?

"Look at ME! I care MORE!"

Etc, Etc.

????

[nopardons]

That's Zimbabwe ! There are NO " war veterans " ( the way you mean that ) in South Africa !

[nopardons]

If he was there, prior to the ANC / Mandela coup, in 1994, then he was correct. If afterwards, he was delusional. :-)

[cryptical]

I had a professor in graduate school that had headed Chrysler divisions all over the world, including Johannesberg. He said that, without a doubt South Africa is the garden spot of the world.

Probably true a few years ago. Funny what happens when Marxists take over a country, though.

[dasboot]

Blam,
I know you're a student of world history, social anthropology, and like disciplines:
I wonder if you ever suspected that a civilization or a people allowed themselves to be plundered and exterminated because it felt a cultural "guilt"?
Is this new paradigm new, or history repeating itself?

[OldFriend]

Not to worry, no doubt Colin Powell will be the star attraction and say something critical of the United States.