worldcup2010

Port Elizabeth/Nelson Mandela Bay

What Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium should look like...

Where's the game on?

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake, is the first football-dedicated stadium in the city.

The stadium, one of the newly-built arenas for theWorld Cup, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the greatest show on earth.

The ground will host eight matches during the tournamament, including the third-placed play-off.

It has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake. The pitch is a natural surface with the outer/surrounding area to be artificial turf.

Before the construction of this multi-purpose venue, all international football matches were played at the Eastern Province rugby stadium, the EPRU Stadium. One of its first major test events was the coveted Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

And the rest of the city?

Port Elizabeth: Sleepy

Port Elizabeth - PE to the locals - is a bit of a sleepy place compared to the 'big four' of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria. It is, however, reassuringly nicknamed 'The Friendly City' (also 'The Windy City'). It was founded as a way of housing the British on the border between the Cape Colony land and the lands belonging to the Xhosa tribe - indeed, it is named after the wife of the Governor who chose the location, Sir Rufane Shaw Donkin.

These days it is not only a major seaport, but also home to South Africa's motor industry, with Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford and Continental tyres all housed there and many, many satellite local businesses providing engineering and parts to the big names. Sounds a bit grim and industrial and much of the city is precisely that, but there are some magnificent beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean and enough bars to cope with the highest-spirited of tourists.

PE is the watersports capital of South Africa. Algoa bay is home to scuba diving, game fishing charters, surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding to name but a few; just down the coast is the infamous Jeffrey's Bay, a surf mecca (also a place with some tidy clothing outlet stores). There are many cruises offered from PE's harbour from sunset cruises to view dolphins to day-long whale watching tours.

While you're there...

The Donkin monument

The area surrounding the CBD has a number of historic attractions, many of which are linked by the Donkin Heritage Trail. These include the Campanile (bell tower), built in 1923 to commemorate the arrival of the 1820 Settlers and offering a great viewpoint over the city; the city hall (1862); the Donkin Reserve park and monument; and the old stone Fort Frederick itself (1799).

Addo Elephant Park is about a 45-minute drive out of town. It was founded in 1931 in order to provide a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the area. The park currently houses more than 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, over 48 endangered black rhino and a variety of antelope species. Lion and spotted hyena have also recently been re-introduced to the area and although less spectacular and bragworthy, a species unique to the area is the flightless dung beetle, a big black shiny monster about the size of half your hand.

Heading out of town, about 15 mins past East London and an hour or so from PE, is the Wild Coast, home of South Africa's best and most untouched beaches. You could quite easily get a whole beach to yourself.

A cold one and some sustenance?

The Boardwalk: Food and drink in abundance

Barney's Tavern, ideally situated on the PE Beachfront next to Hobie Beach, offers a great relaxed atmosphere with exceptional sea views. When it's a nice day outside, be sure to find a spot on the balcony or the outside deck where you will enjoy beautiful views of the sea.

By the beachfront is an impressive mall called the Boardwalk, not dissimilar to Cape Town's infamous Waterfront, and with every bit as many bars and restaurants there. The Oystercatcher and Mauro's are both worth sitting down at to dine, while you won't miss a shred of sporting action or the chance to sample some excellent brews in the SuperSport bar.

You'd have to get there first, mind

The N2 towards Durban: Mind the cows!

Port Elizabeth lies on the N2. To the west the road travels down the picturesque and well-trodden Garden Route to Cape Town.

To the east, the N2 runs through the so-called Border Country - Transkei to the locals - through Grahamstown, to East London then on to Durban, finally terminating in Ermelo in Mpumalanga. Regional roads also connect PE with the Transkei. You could drive up to Durban, but be warned: the road deteriorates significantly after East London - about a half-hour from PE in Durban's direction - and the chances of encountering a large cow on blind corners increase significantly too. Try us if you think we jest.

Port Elizabeth is also served by South Africa's rail network. The Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger service links PE with Johannesburg via Bloemfontein where it is possible to connect with other long-distance routes.