Soccer Fever Hits South Africa!
With the Confederation Cup's success, South Africa finds itself firmly in the grip of soccer fever and its confidence is at an all time high! Officials, fans, workers, even the President of the nation have their eyes firmly fixed on the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After all, history is being made as South Africa becomes the first African country to host this prestigious soccer tournament. Wherever you look, a palpable momentum can be felt as the country readies itself to welcome the whole world...
Brand South Africa is being carefully crafted with the South African team, Bafana Bafana's soccer jerseys, vuvuzelas and the South African flag selling like hotcakes! There's a sense of national unity and pride as the nation becomes the second in the world to host the cricket, rugby and football World Cups. The 1995 Rugby World Cup established South Africa as the 'rainbow nation', marked by the legendary appearance of Nelson Mandela in a Springbok shirt! This gesture became a symbol of national unity in a sport that was once exclusively played by the white skinned population.
Though soccer is traditionally regarded as a game for black South Africans, the Confederations Cup broke through this divide with a multi racial crowd enjoying the soccer spectacle. The dominant color was neither black nor white, but a sea of yellow - the Bafana Bafana and South Africa's national flag's color!
Come 2010, the nation is expecting half a million fans and the positive spin offs are already being felt by the African economy. The construction sector is booming as road, rail, housing and stadium infrastructure is being built or upgraded. And the benefits are bound to spill over to neighboring Swaziland and Botswana. Plus, the players who have returned to their respective countries after playing the Confederations Cup have wonderful memories to share - of South African hospitality, the warmth of the people, the enthusiasm of soccer fans, the modern amenities and stadiums. FIFA's President, Sepp Blatter, is confident that South Africa is more than ready to host the most important event in international soccer. There are no more talks of a Plan B, just in case... South African President, Jacob Zuma, reiterated the fact that all systems are on track to deliver a successful tournament, despite the world once believing that South Africa couldn't do it...
But South Africa has done it and is doing it! The whole country seems to be on the verge of change - the transportation system is being revolutionized into an integrated road, rail and bus system, the new stadiums coming up will have a seating capacity of more than 570,000 people and 15,000 volunteers are being recruited to usher people to their seats, assist the media and welcome guests at airports. The Schools Program launched is all set to bring about the FIFA World Cup sense of fair play, healthy lifestyle and multiculturalism to as many as 12 million schoolchildren! As you can see, this African nation is on the move and the only way is up! See you in South Africa with the vuvuzela, makaraba soccer hat and your favorite soccer uniforms!
After all, history is being made as South Africa becomes the first African country to host this prestigious soccer tournament. Wherever you look, a palpable momentum can be felt as the country readies itself to welcome the whole world...
Brand South Africa is being carefully crafted with the South African team, Bafana Bafana's soccer jerseys, vuvuzelas and the South African flag selling like hotcakes! There's a sense of national unity and pride as the nation becomes the second in the world to host the cricket, rugby and football World Cups. The 1995 Rugby World Cup established South Africa as the 'rainbow nation', marked by the legendary appearance of Nelson Mandela in a Springbok shirt! This gesture became a symbol of national unity in a sport that was once exclusively played by the white skinned population.
Though soccer is traditionally regarded as a game for black South Africans, the Confederations Cup broke through this divide with a multi racial crowd enjoying the soccer spectacle. The dominant color was neither black nor white, but a sea of yellow - the Bafana Bafana and South Africa's national flag's color!
Come 2010, the nation is expecting half a million fans and the positive spin offs are already being felt by the African economy. The construction sector is booming as road, rail, housing and stadium infrastructure is being built or upgraded. And the benefits are bound to spill over to neighboring Swaziland and Botswana. Plus, the players who have returned to their respective countries after playing the Confederations Cup have wonderful memories to share - of South African hospitality, the warmth of the people, the enthusiasm of soccer fans, the modern amenities and stadiums. FIFA's President, Sepp Blatter, is confident that South Africa is more than ready to host the most important event in international soccer. There are no more talks of a Plan B, just in case... South African President, Jacob Zuma, reiterated the fact that all systems are on track to deliver a successful tournament, despite the world once believing that South Africa couldn't do it...
But South Africa has done it and is doing it! The whole country seems to be on the verge of change - the transportation system is being revolutionized into an integrated road, rail and bus system, the new stadiums coming up will have a seating capacity of more than 570,000 people and 15,000 volunteers are being recruited to usher people to their seats, assist the media and welcome guests at airports. The Schools Program launched is all set to bring about the FIFA World Cup sense of fair play, healthy lifestyle and multiculturalism to as many as 12 million schoolchildren! As you can see, this African nation is on the move and the only way is up! See you in South Africa with the vuvuzela, makaraba soccer hat and your favorite soccer uniforms!
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