S A Rocks

May 2004. We waited with bated breath and then the unforgettable announcement.  The entire country partied and celebrated from that Friday afternoon for the entire weekend.  We were once again reminded of the euphoria of 1995 and the IRB Rugby World Cup. It’s upon us now and World Cup “feva” has gripped South Africa in earnest and I may add me as well!  With only 3 days to go to kick off, I listened to the proceedings of the United we shall Stand parade on 702 and couldn’t help but wish I were there!  Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just listening to the bustling crowds and the vuvuzelas was exhilarating and made me rather homesick.

It’s apparent that emotions are at an all time high in South Africa and compares to none other.  Africa is not your conventional host - here things are done differently.  But I’m sure each and every soccer supporter and visitor to our sunny shores will be gripped and infected by the sporting spirit of the one and only Rainbow Nation.

 South Africa has no shortage of the funniest, most entertaining and ingenious kinds of fans the world has ever seen.

 No matter what the mood on the field, in the stands fans deliver their own form of amusement for themselves as well as for the "sane"
ones around them [albeit very few] :)

We are proud and blessed to be the first country to host the world’s most biggest and prestigious sporting showcase on African soil.   South Africans have the capacity to hope and dream and build on those dreams. We’ve worked hard and tirelessly to build/upgrade our stadiums, airports, roads and the various transport systems and they’re all looking stunning!

 

      

A toast toTata Mandela, Africa’s hero and our inspiration, and all who were involved in the successful campaign which has now culminated in this incredibly momentous occasion in 
our history.  God bless you, God Bless Africa!    Viva Madiba, Viva. Halala Halala!!!

 
I wish Bafana Bafana and all the other finalists and especially my host country, South Korea, Godspeed. 

The annals of sport will show:  
FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 – Africa – South Africa.

I’m overcome with unbridled patriotic pride and joy and can hardly contain myself.  Tonight I’ll be joining some SA friends in Seoul to watch the opening ceremony and the matches.  Klippies, met eish, ja, met eish!