2010 World Cup Kick’s Off: African Dreams Realised But Mandela Misses Opening Ceremony
Recently as it became more certain that indeed the FIFA 2010 World Cup was coming to Africa. The head of the South African LOC, local organizing committee, with a look of the memory of a hard long battle that started off with rejection of the first South African bid to host the World Cup in 2006, lamented at the controversy that the FIFA World Cup rotating policy had generated..
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The traditional African earthenware pot inspired SOCCER CITY STADIUM, in Joanneasburg, SOUTH AFRICA where the FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP kicks of shortly..
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Many of the European countries were skeptical about the ability of South Africa to host the World Cup. They could not imagine an African country had the capability do it since only five countries in the Euro Zone currently have the capability to host a World Cup.
To some ears, that coming from the LOC may sound quite cut and proud, but in truth, it betrayed the weight of the burden of the struggle that an African leader, South Africa carried on its shoulders.
Looking at South Africa’s current economic strength alone; if indeed the World Cup was to come to Africa, then it would be the ideal pick.
Yet, as Africans believed and hoped in South Africa, on one end, on the other, South Africa was facing fierce opposition, doubt and skepticism.
The skepticism surrounding South Africa’s award as the host nation of the 2010 World Cup, perfectly embodied the situation that defined this young African nation.
Economically it is in the second tier globally, the so called emerging economies. Prospering nations yet still be-riddled by problems of the developing economies that they were not so long ago.
So it was no surprise that South Africa’s host status would split hairs leading to questions, ” a World Cup in Africa?” . However, these doubts were not unsubstantiated.
Crime was a big big concern.
South Africa and its South American “sister” Brazil ( another emerging economy), have the largest income disparity levels in the world. Crime easily finds a home in such neighbourhoods.
This was just among many of the concerns about the viability of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Were it not for the resiliency of FIFA’s president Sepp Blatter, it is said, at least in the pubs and bars, that the world’s most favourite sport largest showcase, The FIFA suctioned World Cup, would have never stepped into Africa.
Additionally, South Africa, an African and World power that it may be, would never had stood a chance of hosting the soccer showpiece were it not for the world’s reverence of apartheid hero and human icon Nelson ‘Mandiba’ Mandela.
This man, the world’s number one citizen, embodies the hope of a people, the dreams of a whole continent and an example of the pedigree of leaders who can emerge from Africa, in a continent so be-riddled with governance and leadership vacuums.
Today, 11th June 2010, as the World Cup Kicks off at 2pm (12:00 GMT) in South Africa’s capital Johannesburg’s 90,000 capacity African earthenware pot inspired Soccer City stadium, Mandela will be spending time with his family mourning the untimely demise of his great-grand daughter 13 yr old Zenani Mandela.
Zenani perished in a car accident on Thursday night as she was coming from the Soweto Official FIFA World Cup 2010 pretournament concert, that is part of the FIFA sanctioned festivities to usher in the World Cup. It is such a tragedy that a grand daughter is robbed off the opportunity to experience the magic that her great grand father had sacrificed his life to make such realities possible for her generation. It is equally sad when a parent has to bury a child, they are robbed off the future that have built all their lives.
In this time of sorrow the whole of humanity, the African people, the soccer community bereave with Mandela and his family. We send our deepest condolences. May her soul rest in peace.
World Cup Fixtures today
Opening Match: SOUTH AFRICA vs MEXICO ( KO: 1400 GMT)
FRANCE vs URUGUAY (KO: 1630 GMT )
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Excellent manner and very well-written sentence is doing, with useful information includes a good things you have in your article.
Thanks and cheers.
Sara
How sad that his granddaughter was killed. it’s always sad to lose a child.
Thanks for this informative and lovely sharing
As you already know, the curtains have already been drawn on the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup. In relation to this post. It was a joy to see Nelson “Mandiba” Mandela wave to the 84,000+ people at Soccer city and billions of others wathching/ following the final match pitting Netherlands and Spain.
That was one for history.
As you already know, the curtains have already been drawn on the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup. In relation to this post. It was a joy to see Nelson \”Mandiba\” Mandela wave to the 84,000 people at Soccer city and billions of others watching/ following the final match pitting Netherlands and Spain.
That was one for history.