The World Cup has come and gone, and yet it seems like yesterday when FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced that South Africa would host the 2010 tournament.
For six years, South Africans have looked forward to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Some even prayed that they would still be alive for opening match, alive to see who would be announced World Cup winners for the first time on African soil. And what a celebration it has been!
We cheered and screamed our lungs out. We celebrated as our boys, Bafana Bafana, drew 1-1 against Mexico. Even when we lost to Uruguay, our spirits weren’t dampened, and South Africans still went to stadiums, fan parks and pubs to support our boys and our fellow African teams.
In the match against France on 22 June, Bafana played their hearts out. Even though we were the first host nation not to advance to the Round of 16, we exited as warriors, winning 2-1 and sending Les Bleus on the next flight home.
Not to be deterred, we then adopted Ghana – the black stars of Africa - as our own. Though they then lost to Uruguay on 2 July, their performance was not to be outshone.
Scores and rivalries aside, South Africans treated guests with utmost kindness and humility.
For our Spanish visitors, last night wasn’t to be forgotten, as their team were crowned first-time World Cup winners, and on African soil. But last night was memorable for more than just the competing teams and their supporters. Even though many weren’t able to watch the proceedings live at the stadium, it was a moment that will last long in national memory.
The choreography, music, graphics, song and dance at the closing match were eclectic and incredible. As was evident in the closing ceremony, despite naysayers and critics, we pulled off the World Cup with world-class technology and African spirit.
And perhaps, in that way, South Africa is the World Cup winner. We gave our guests a good reception and taught them some of our language and culture. We stood in support and solidarity for our country and proved that, united, we really shall stand.
Halala, South Africa! From here we are only going higher and higher. Olympics 2020? Whatever we can dream, we can be.
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