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The fact that a stab-proof ‘Protektorvest' product is currently being marketed by London based company to potential 2010 World Cup tourists is certainly more than a little ridiculous, and illustrates that South Africa needs to continue to work hard to counter some of the misinformation that is out there, ahead of the World Cup.

One cannot fathom why, after hosting so many international sporting events, including successful rugby and cricket world cups, there should now be such alarmism over South Africa's ability to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Of course there is no country in the world that can guarantee the utmost safety of all tourists. Therefore, every tourist needs to take a normal common sense approach when visiting a foreign country, especially if they have never travelled there before, and the Department of Tourism, South Africa Tourism and the array of private travel and tourism centres involved in the tournament need to work hard to ensure that tourists get adequate safety advice.

We will be working closely with the Local Organising Committee and key stakeholders to ensure that security at the 2010 World Cup is as good as, if not better than, previous world cups. In the mean time, there is no need for such ridiculous alarmism.