FIFA Visits the Elephant in the Room

On Monday a FIFA delegation visited Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe to assess the country's ability to handle potential tourist demands associated with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in neighboring South Africa.  The world is hoping that the first Africa hosted mega-event can showcase not only South Africa, but nearby countries Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  However, Zimbabwe, once known as the jewel of Africa, is now characterized by brutal political oppression, the highest inflation rate in the world (prices rising at a rate of 7,500% per year!), an 80% unemployment rate and an equally dismal poverty rate.  It is estimated that nearly 3,000,000 people have fled the country for South Africa, and another 1,000 per day are escaping to Zambia.

The stakes are high for South Africa in 2010.  The often skeptical eyes of the world will be on the country and the region.  If South Africa and FIFA can put on a successful tournament it could open the door to a wave of corporate investment and tourism in the region.  One of the biggest threats, as things stand now, is Mugabe and Zimbabwe possibly turning the focus to the old 20th Century stereotypes of the continent; political oppression, economic disaster, and poverty.  If that happens, it could set Africa back decades and if it does, South Africa won't be an innocent bystander.  It's president, Thabo Mbeki, is probably one of the only people in the world who has significant influence over Mugabe, however, at best, he has taken a "see no evil, hear no evil" approach to Zimbabwe all these years.

Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980 and is now 82, has been dogged by (hopeful?) rumors of failing health for at least the last 7 years.  If he survives until 2010, he might view the World Cup as a last chance to reclaim a tarnished legacy.  He was considered a progressive African leader in the 1980s, but even if he was capable of the effort- doubtful considering his ability to manage the country the last decade- it is too late for him.  The highest he can realistically shoot for, image-wise, is to fall out of the top 10 in the "Worst Dictator" rankings.  If he doesn't last, perhaps the 2010 World Cup will be the world's introduction to the new, post-Mugabe Zimbabwe.  It's a beautiful country with a citizenry that has long-since been ready to leave the Mugabe era behind.  Do you think the FIFA delegation visited with thoughts of a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe in the back of their minds?