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Curtain falls on Cape Town as Cup ends

SMALL and big businesses around the Cape Town central business district will start tallying their profits today after the massive support they received, mainly from tourists, during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

SMALL and big businesses around the Cape Town central business district will start tallying their profits today after the massive support they received, mainly from tourists, during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The last match of the tournament in Cape Town was played last night when the Netherlands took on Uruguay in the first semifinal. The second semifinal will feature Germany and Spain in Durban tonight.

Metered taxi operator Max Mjoli said: "Cape Town will never be the same again now that the World Cup is over.

"I have made more money in the last three weeks than I would normally make in four months.

"The good thing about the foreigners is that they enter into an agreement with you for the duration of their stay, which included going to the townships in Guguletu, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and as far as George.

"I can't wait for the Olympic Games to come to South Africa. I am hoping it will happen in my lifetime," said Mjoli, who transported journalists and tourists.

Guesthouses in the city also scored big time, despite not signing a contract with Fifa accommodation agency Match.

Yolanda Borman, who is running a guesthouse, said: "The business was good during the World Cup. I catered mainly for media people.

"There was not even a single night that my guesthouse did not have people sleeping in. Most of them made arrangements with us as early as February.

"I did not make a lot of money, but it was good enough and I will use part of it to upgrade my facilities because it is now known internationally."

Beggars around the stadium were unhappy that the World Cup had ended in the Mother City, saying life would never be the same for them.

"We have been 'feeling it' too, the World Cup was here in Cape Town," said Grace Phakama, one of the beggars.

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