In 2004, the whole nation waited in baited breath and then celebrated with delight as FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that SA had been chosen to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Five years later, the SABC and South Africans from all walks of life will again gather to commemorate this proclamation.
This thanksgiving celebration, spearheaded by the SABC in partnership with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), will serve as a reminder of the joy and celebration that greeted the announcement marked by this day.
“The 15th of May marks an important historical day, not only in the sporting calendar but in the lives of all South African. As the SABC, we want to galvanise South Africans to get behind Bafana Bafana and support them. We call upon all religious leaders to encourage the nation to unify in the build up towards the world cup in order for the country to host a successful and world-class event in 2010,” says Mvuzo Mbebe, group executive, SABC Content Enterprises
“It was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life, along with the release from prison of Nelson Mandela. It was a release of emotions, joy and pain, of years sitting at airports, on the road, on taxis and trains, going to houses and knocking on the doors of members of the FIFA Executive Committee,” says Danny Jordaan, CEO of the LOC.
Blatter is more determined than ever that the country will play “magnificent” host to the world in 2010, stressing that he continues to have the utmost faith in South Africa's capabilities to stage the event: “It is a question of confidence and trust. Confidence and trust in a continent, and confidence and trust in a country like South Africa, a well-organised country, able to organise this competition. And the world has shown their trust in South Africa with major global companies and broadcasters investing heavily in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and further companies poised to do so. I am sure it will be a great, great world cup and I am happy to be the president at this period of time.”
Thanksgiving ceremonies will take place in all SABC regions, including KwaZulu-Natal; the Free State, Bloemfontein; Cape Town; Tshwane; Northern Cape and the North West. These national celebrations will be promoting messages of hope, peace and prosperity regarding the hosting of 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The national festivities will have line ups of various religious and traditional acts with renowned addresses and promises to remind and ignite excitement and appreciation for the opportunity decided as the first African host county. 2010 ambassadors Mark Fish, Phil Masinga and Desiree Ellis will hold a coaching clinic at 10am am for local kids at Rustenburg's Mogwase Sports Stadium. At 2pm, all participating will observe a moment of silence to give blessings to the country and the hosting of a successful world cup. At 3pm at the Mogwase Sports Stadium, a 2010 FIFA World Cup organising team as well as the 2010 ambassadors, will play a match against a team from the Rustenburg municipality. The day will be concluded with a dinner aimed at recognising the contributions and efforts of the host cities in preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The slogan “Kenako - Celebrating Africa's humanity” and “Vuka Sizwe” will be the theme message of the national event. To enhance the nation's patriotism on the day, South African flags will be distributed to all attending the events.
