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Well done South Africa. It is here!

For many of us the Soccer World Cup used to be a distant spectacle, far away from our shores. Even after the introduction of television, only a privileged few had an opportunity to watch matches. We heard reports on the radio or read about it in newspapers, but we did not have an opportunity to really experience the Soccer World Cup.

No African country has ever hosted the World Cup. Apartheid South Africa, quite correctly, was expelled from FIFA in 1976. Back then there was little prospect that South Africa could participate in the World Cup, never mind hosting the tournament one day. But with our transition to democratic rule things changed quite dramatically.

The changes in our country have made possible things we never imagined. The sounds of guns and police sirens have been replaced by the sound of vuvuzelas. Our ancestors must be rejoicing at what is happening in this country. That epic hero from the Mpinga clan in the Eastern Cape, Enoch Sontonga, must derive great satisfaction that his profound hymn is being sung across our united nation.

Our icon and former President Nelson Mandela was not mistaken in the faith that he professed for this nation when he stood in the dock nearly 50 years ago. We are glad he is among the many who will witness this wonderful moment.

The time since we won the bid to host the World Cup has been both long and short. Long because we wanted it to happen soon, and short because we had massive preparations to make. After all this hard work by so many people, we are now just a few hours from realising this great dream. It is now here.

South Africa is today a rainbow in many senses of the word. The country is painted the many colours of our national flag, and the colours of all the participating nations. Our people, in all their diversity, are sharing this great occasion with visitors from across the world. It is an exhilarating demonstration of a truly united nation.

We must congratulate all South Africans for embracing the spirit of this World Cup. For many of us, this is an opportunity of lifetime. This tournament is an expression of the possibilities brought by our freedom. It represents the great leap that South Africa has made from pariah state to a democratic country now embraced by the world at large. It is a moment for the realisation of our talents and aspirations.

Soccer is the people?s sport. Most of us played it at various stages in our lives, to the point of improvising with various objects. It is one sport that we all enjoyed in our various rural areas, which was and is still the main indulgence in many parts of this country.

During the apartheid era, when all kinds of gatherings were banned, soccer was one key activity which provided a very useful guise for political mobilisation. There were soccer teams which served the specific purpose of political mobilisation. Even when we skipped the country, we sometimes disguised as soccer teams.

Soccer is in the blood and hearts of many South Africans. It used to be the main game on Robben Island. That is why we say it is the people?s sports because of its role in our political mobilisation and therefore our freedom. Soccer also plays an integral part in many parts of Africa and the world, helping to unify people and overcome conflict.

What an honour and what a privilege for this 16-year-old democracy! Our country has become a stage for the international community to celebrate humanity, achievement and friendship.

The value of the World Cup event for nation building is immeasurable and priceless.
The South African flag has never been so popular in its 16-year history. It has become the most powerful symbol that identifies and unites South Africans. The infrastructure development and other legacy projects will be with us beyond the World Cup.

Given its universal popularity, soccer plays a positive role in bringing people together and can be mainstreamed into the strategic development agenda of countries. It provides a global stage on which nations and peoples of the world come together to reaffirm our common humanity.

It creates the opportunity, so important in our troubled universe, for all of us to experience the reality that we belong to one human family, regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language, gender, age, political and religious belief.

In the dark days of our country?s history we found that sport had the power to change the world in a manner that little else can. Sport transcends racial, cultural and ethnic barriers in a manner that defies all reason.

Over a billion people across the planet will tune in to watch the sporting spectacle that is the FIFA World Cup. Let us take this honour of hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup with great humility and responsibility. Let us do it for ourselves as South Africans, and for the African continent as a whole.

Let us support the six African countries that are participating in this tournament, and remember the enormous assistance that they provided to us during our struggle. This tournament belongs as much to them as it does to South Africa.

Let us remember also the great honour we have been given to welcome visitors from all over the world to our shores. Let?s show them the hospitality and friendliness for which our people are famous.

We must also pay tribute to our national team, Bafana Bafana. Throughout their preparations for this tournament they have shown great resolve. Their recent performances have given us confidence that they will do the country proud.

We wish them well, just as we wish all the teams the best possible 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Viva Bafana Bafana!