Interview: Gail Swartz, editor at www.soccerladuma.co.za

What is the soccer blog web address?
www.soccerladuma.com

Who owns the blog?
Soccer-Laduma

How many people contribute content on the blog?
At the moment around 6 journalists, including myself

Is this a business operation or a hubby?
It’s a business, the blog is fed onto our web and mobi-site (which is the largest in South Africa)

How is it monetized?
Soccer-Laduma sells advertising space on the website.

How do you follow the build up to 2010 in South Africa?
We have covered all the World Cup qualifiers on our site’s breaking news sections, debatable Bafana Bafana issues are covered by our blogs.

What do you think of Bafana’s readiness?
They are not even close to being ready but I still believe they will out-perform expectations due solely to the home-ground advantage. Bafana will lift their game, but in my opinion, their ‘best’ can only secure a Last 16 spot at most.

Do you know where your country will be based in South Africa?
N/A as I cover South Africa

Would you like to collaborate with a South African based soccer blogger?
I would like to look into it and see what’s on the table for both parties.

What are you worries about the event being staged in South Africa?
I think the only real concern is crime, particularly petty crime as these, despite the probability of occurring anywhere in the world, will feed into a negative global media buzz. That and lack of accommodation and flights – particularly in smaller cities such as Bloemfontein. Other than that I believe we will be good hosts.