With one out of four South Africans being unemployed, the World Cup was expected to bring two things: beautiful goals and jobs, lots of job.

Things started out well for Vusimuzi Robert Ngwenya (22) from Alexandra township: “There was a car driving around that announced jobs for the World Cup. I went to Johannesburg to personally hand in my CV, and not long after, I was hired as a host.”

Mr Ngwenya spent the World Cup guiding people to their seats and ensuring everybody had a good time. “I had nice colleagues and I met many people from other countries. In addition to my wages they also gave me food vouchers for match days.”

Win some, lose some
Employment predictions in the run-up to the World Cup were promising: in 2008 consultancy firm Grant Thornton talked about 415,000 annual jobs that would be sustained and created by the tournament.

However, in early 2010 estimates were adjusted to 300,000 jobs that had been created since 2006. Not enough to cover the 870,000 jobs that were cut in 2009 due to the economic crisis.

Most ‘World Cup jobs’ were expected in the construction and tourism industries. And although Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium indeed employed 2143 people during the construction phase, most of them were laid off as the project neared completion.

Maintenance man
Erefaan Hendricks (38) is one of the few people who still works full-time at the Green Point Stadium. Originally hired to oversee plumbing works during the construction, he now looks after the maintenance of the complex.

“Before and after every event taking place at the stadium, I do a full inspection tour. In between, I’m here for random things. When a toilet doesn’t flush, they call me. If a light bulb is broken, my phone rings. And when the sign posting is damaged, it’s me again they turn to. I’ve seen this stadium develop from a sand pit to a stunning structure.”

Higher level
The World Cup worked out pretty well for Joseph Rambau, 36, from Limpopo too. Since March 2010 he’s been working as a security supervisor at the high-speed Gautrain rail link. “I already heard about Gautrain in 2007. Three years later, I got a permanent contract. The World Cup lifted things to a higher level for me. I’m no longer a security agent, but a security supervisor. My top priority is the passengers’ safety. I like this job so much, that I sometimes come in on my day off, just to look at the trains and people.”

World Cup host Vusimuzi Robert Ngwenya from Alexandra township wasn’t so lucky. Six months after the World Cup, he’s back to his part-time job at the local supermarket. “After the finals they told me they didn’t need me anymore. I lost the special Gold Card which I need to collect my wages. South Africa didn’t win, and I’m still looking for a proper job. Despite all that, I had a good time during the World Cup.”