Nicely done, South Africa. Congratulations to those who have stuck it out through thick and thin, slowly but surely contributing toward the betterment of the rainbow nation. Hopefully, this World Cup will move you further along with all of your other goals.
Sahle Gahle!

ARTICLES AND EXCERPTS

World Cup Winners and Losers (Excerpt)
(http://www.supersport.com/football/blogs/peter-davies)
by Peter Davies 09/07/2010, 06:34

What a month it’s been. Never has a host nation more emphatically rammed the words of their doubters down collective throats than the vibrant, can-do, boer-maak-‘n-plan, party-til-we-drop, hosts-with-the-most Mzanzi Nation. Herewith some of the World Cup’s great Winners and Losers.

WINNERS
South Africa. To quote BBC pundit Alan Hansen: “The best thing about this World Cup so far has been the atmosphere in South Africa – all the major tournaments I’ve been to, or played at, pale into insignificance in comparison.” And as Jerome Valcke pointed out (only partly tongue-in-cheek), the country will be Plan B for every succeeding World Cup.

The Metrorail train to Soccer City. Which grew in popularity from suspicious and sparsely populated for the opening game to packed carriages later on.

‘We did it, we showed the world’ The cup ran over, now for the hangover World Cup is a reminder of what’s possible South Africa shows the world what it can do 2010 FIFA World Cup Final 2010 diary: End of the road and the link below includes videos of the closing ceremony, with one of Nelson Mandela. 2010 FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony and photo sets: 2010 World Cup comes to a close – Boston Globe

FAVORITE VIDEOS

(FIFA drums support for universal education)

(Thank you, Ghana)

(South Africa – It does not matter. R. Kelly featuring Soweto Spiritual Singers – Sign Of A Victory, The Official 2010 Fifa World Cup(Tm) Anthem)

(Vusi Mahlasela – Say Africa, spirit of Ubuntu)

(I’m dreaming – wake me up – what a lovely dream!)