Ozinsky, who, as head of Cape Town Tourism was known for her innovative and imaginative marketing, is now an independent tourism consultant. She was one of the speakers at a SAPOA conference at the Sandton Sun on November 2 entitled Investing in Sport Property and focusing on the 2010 Football World Cup in this country.

The conference was addressed by authoritative local and overseas speakers, including Danny Jordaan, CEO of the successful South African 2010 bid company.

Ozinsky informed delegates on how South Africa can harness and preserve the opportunity that 2010 presents; how many tourists are likely to come, and what they are likely to spend.

She also has strong views on the long-term sustainability of the benefits that will accrue to South Africa as a result of winning the bid for the Football World Cup. "We have to make sure it is not a flash in the pan - and that everything that is put in place has a relevance beyond the couple of weeks of the event itself. We cannot make the World Cup the be-all and end-all, otherwise the effort and expense will be wasted."

She also warns that inflated property prices should not being based on the advent of the World Cup, but that value should naturally reflect the actual sustainable development principles of economy, society and environment that South Africa is pioneering in global terms.

"And we certainly do no want to be landed with expensive public constructions that because of their lack of versatility, become white elephants, a phenomenon experienced by other countries which have hosted global events."

The conference had a comprehensive and star-studded lineup, with speakers including Alastair Collins, CEO of the Global Board of Davis Langdon Seah International, who will be highlighting the essentials to the success of 2010 and the range of opportunities it brings.