The task ahead was difficult because South Africa had to build from scratch and also improve existing structures. The threat of the “Plan B” was often bandied about at will when it seemed as though we were not living up to our promises.

In Parliament the debates raged on about the wisdom of hosting a World Cup in a country that has enormous economic disparities. One school of thought felt the money could be used to build more schools, houses, hospitals and be invested in closing down the gap between the rich and the poor. Another school of thought believed the country needed a moral booster and unifier in a space where the racial tensions and the divisions in society were growing wider by the day.

The day finally came and we opened our arms to the world. This World Cup was not without its challenges, but there was plenty of good that also came with it.

It will be all over on Sunday night. When we wake up on Monday, July 12, 2010 will be over. The hangover from the last month will still be fresh on our national psyche, the visitors will be leaving our shores, and it will be all over. No more 2010. How are we to cope? How do we begin to live without 2010?

So, after much hustling and trying to purchase a ticket to the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, I ended up at the Sandton Fan Park at Innisfree Park.

There was no shortage of yellow shirt clad Bafana Bafana supporters armed with their vuvuzelas. The mood was festive, the sun had come out, and the tension ahead of the game could be felt throughout the park. And as the moment drew closer, the park filled.

The queues at the beer tent and the food court never seemed to get shorter, but that did not dampen the mood at the Fan Park. There were armies of police all around keeping the peace. The atmosphere was awesome and people seemed to be having a good old time.

But in a space like that it is hard to follow the game. You are either to far from the screen or too short because as soon as you perch on what seems to be the highest point in the field, someone in front of you will decide that they prefer to stand and let you watch their back instead. You join the masses in watching the game on your feet for the entire ninety minutes, then your neighbour starts puffing away and merrily sharing their ciggie smoke (stadiums are no smoking zones) with you.

The  enthusiasm  for the  fan parks seems to have mellowed since the opening game. But, maybe things will get better and the mood will pick up as the games wind down.

This blog was written by a community blogger  chosen  to write  on their community’s experience of the  World Cup.

People braved the cold Highveld weather….it is June after all….and came in their thousands. Angelique Kidjo, who is a bundle of endless energy, danced around the stage with much zest. John Legend brought the house down with his rendition of “Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “classic “Wake up everybody”. Hugh Masekela’s “Grazing in the grass” added the Kofifi flavour and later local RnB sensation Lira paid tribute to Miriam Makeba with “Pata Pata”.

Alicia Keys sent the crowd into raptures by channeling her inner Brenda Fassie with the Blck Jcks taking on the role of the Big Dudes in their performance of South African Classic “Too late for Mama”. But the crowd favourites K’naan and Shakira shut it down with their World Cup anthems “Wavin flag” and “Waka Waka”.

There were many celebrity appearances, the most notable, in my opinion, being that of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. His lively and yellow clad self had the crowd chanting “Tutu, Tutu, Tutu”.  It is finally here….in our back yard….wow!!!!

Ke Nako!!!

This blog was written by a community blogger  chosen  to write  on their community’s experience of the  World Cup.

They blew their vuvuzelas, sang Shosholoza, blew the vuvuzelas some more and finally…..the green double decker bus carrying the national team emerged. Bafana Bafana supporters showed their love to the team ahead of their World Cup Opening match against Mexico on Friday. The players, led by captain Aaron Mokoena, could be seen perched atop the open bus taking pictures of the fans below and waving at them.

In cities around South Africa, on Wednesday, football fans heeded the call to support Bafana Bafana by blowing their vuvuzelas at  midday.   “The “Vuvuzela Moment” was an initiative which was to bring Mzansi to a standstill, make the world stand up and take notice of Mzansi’s pride, its own heritage”, read the statement from the organizers.

 Click here to watch video

Given that for most South Africans, history from 1910 until the end of white minority rule in 1994 was one of exclusion and oppression there may be understandable reasons why it is not a date to be accompanied by mass celebrations.

 But is that any reason why it should be forgotten? Hasn’t South Africa changed enough in 16 years that all races could see it as an important enough date in their common history to want to mark it?

 Giving his State of the Nation speech earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma noted the upcoming anniversary and the fact that the exclusion of black people in the Union led to the formation of the African National Congress in 1912. 

“We should reflect on how far we have travelled as a country,” he said..

 But is anybody really doing that with the soccer World Cup just 10 days away? And is it a day that South Africans should recognize as part of their collective history?  Like them or not, there is no escaping the facts of South Africa’s history.

Happy Union Day if it means anything to you.