Seizing the Moment: the Calabash of Johannesburg

When South Africa was announced in May 2004 as the host nation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a wave of Afro-pessimism was unleashed in the global media

text: Henning Rasmuss
photos: Populous

In almost all respects, South Africa is a continental representative for the “Dark Continent” of Africa. Expectations were that Africa, via South Africa, would fail to deliver on time for a successful World Cup. No-one expected this country or this continent to be able to produce functioning, safe, comfortable, impressive, memorable stadiums on time. Or at all.

Sixteen years after South Africa’s release into democracy in 1994, our architecture is often analysed and criticised through the filter of its “relevance” to South Africa and to Africa. Academics and architectural journalists wish to define what is “African” about our modern architecture. 2010 has delivered much material for debate, and places South African architecture under a massive searchlight of global scrutiny. So: how “African” are our stadiums, and what do they mean for the development of an architecture appropriate to and for South Africa?

Read in ABITARE 009