“Sport has the power to inspire and unite people. In Africa soccer enjoys great popularity and has a particular place in the hearts of people. This is why it is so important that the FIFA World Cup will, for the first time ever, be hosted on the African continent in 2010. We feel privileged and humbled that South Africa has been given the singular honour of being the African host country. We must strive for excellence in our hosting of the World Cup while at the same time ensuring that the event leaves a lasting benefit to all our people…”
-Nelson Mandela(Nelson Mandela Foundation)
Pictured above is Nelson Mandela, who highlights the importance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The World Cup was hugely important to the nation of South Africa. With Apartheid having been removed 20 years prior to 2010, this was the chance to show the world the strength and beauty of the South African people, a united South Africa. With the eyes of the World on them, the country of South Africa could show the world how to racial reconciliation was possible, and even prosperous.
From this World Cup the world was shown that racial reconciliation was possible, both black and white fans in the stands together, cheering on one team. From just that alone it is clear to see that what binds people together, makes them forget about their differences, and instead focus on how they are similar, was in this case, football.
Football in South Africa 