2010 has not just been a momentous World Cup year for South Africa: celebrating it’s tenth year in existence this year is the Central City Improvement District (CCID), which has been committed to keeping the Central City safe and secure for a decade via a security component that works closely with the South African Police Services and law enforcement agencies. And the most evident ‘on-street’ embodiment of this commitment is the CCID’s own security force – Public Safety Officers – on duty 24/7 and for 365 days a year.

However, in recognition of the World Cup and in particular the influx of visitors into the City, even this alert unit has been beefed up with additional officers being deployed, and all officers (over 250 of them) receiving training on how to be the best-ever ‘Central City Ambassadors’ both when it comes to safety and security, as well as to assisting visitors who may need to find their way around town.

These officers have received special instruction not only in regards to which ‘countries’ to expect in town on which days, but to understand what fans are looking for, and how they behave. The Central City Ambassadors, already fully acquainted with the landscape of our downtown, have also been instructed in regards to specific World Cup-associated venues that fans may be looking for – whether it be the right direction to the Cape Town Stadium along the Host City Cape Town Fan Walk, the venue of the Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest at the Grand Parade, the nearest information kiosk, or how to get to the Civic Centre Bus Station and the Cape Town Station – the main transport hub during the World Cup.

So if you find yourself lost in the Cape Town Central City – local or visitor – ask an Ambassador!