South Africa has announced plans to launch a bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a move that could make it the first African nation to stage the world’s largest sporting event. Government officials say discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are already underway to assess the feasibility of the bid and the infrastructure investments required.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the government is “in continuous dialogue” with IOC leadership, including its African representative and Executive Board member Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe.
“Our engagement with the IOC has been positive,” Ntshavheni said. “We are exploring the viability and sustainability of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Africa — something that has never been achieved before.”
Cape Town Likely to Lead the Bid
While no official host city has been named, insiders within South Africa’s sports ministry and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) say Cape Town is the leading candidate. The coastal city previously bid for the 2004 Olympics, finishing third behind Rome and eventual winner Athens.
Cape Town’s established global reputation as a tourist and events destination, combined with its relatively advanced transport and hospitality infrastructure, positions it as a strong contender. By contrast, Durban, which once won the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, withdrew in 2017 due to financial constraints and governance challenges.
Competition Heating Up for 2036
South Africa’s announcement adds to an increasingly competitive field for the 2036 Games, with India’s Ahmedabad, Qatar’s Doha, Turkey’s Istanbul, and Chile’s Santiago already expressing interest in hosting.
The IOC is expected to select the host around 2026 or 2027, following a new “targeted dialogue” system that allows for greater flexibility and early engagement between bidding countries and the committee.
Sports analysts say South Africa’s timing could work in its favor, given growing calls within the Olympic movement to rotate the Games across new continents. “The IOC has long spoken of its desire to bring the Olympics to Africa,” said Dr. Sipho Maseko, a sports policy expert at the University of the Witwatersrand. “South Africa’s sporting legacy and infrastructure give it a realistic shot if political and economic conditions remain stable.”
Track Record in Hosting Major Events
South Africa boasts an impressive resume of hosting major international sporting tournaments. It staged the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup — becoming the first African nation to host football’s premier event.
The country will co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup alongside Namibia and Zimbabwe and has expressed interest in bringing Formula 1 back to the African continent, with talks underway for a potential South African Grand Prix in 2027.
Officials argue that hosting the Olympics would not only strengthen South Africa’s position as Africa’s sporting hub but also drive investment in infrastructure, tourism, and job creation. “The Games would showcase Africa’s capability and unlock opportunities for inclusive economic growth,” Ntshavheni said.
Economic and Logistical Challenges Ahead
Despite the enthusiasm, analysts caution that hosting an event of Olympic scale would require substantial financial commitments and political will. South Africa continues to face economic headwinds, including slow growth, power shortages, and high unemployment.
“Hosting the Olympics could bring long-term benefits, but it must be approached with fiscal discipline,” said Nomsa Dlamini, an economist at the South African Institute of International Affairs. “The key is ensuring legacy infrastructure that serves communities beyond the Games.”
The South African government has indicated it will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study before formally submitting its bid to the IOC. The study will assess potential venues, funding models, and environmental sustainability measures aligned with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 framework, which emphasizes cost-efficiency and community impact.
If successful, South Africa’s bid would mark a historic moment for both the country and the continent — bringing the Olympic flame to Africa for the first time in the Games’ 128-year history.
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Source:Africa Publicity
