20 May 2004

By Clifford Mogotsi

SCREAMS of excitement and joy erupted when about 200 soccer lovers who had gathered in a hall in Mogale City for the Soccer World Cup bid announcement on Saturday 15 May heard Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, tell the world that South Africa would host the tournament in 2010.

Just before noon the soccer fans - including Mogale City's speaker, Farouk Omar Bhayat - stared intently at the big-screen television in Centenary Hall. As Blatter took to the stage in Zurich, the crowd in Mogale City became increasingly tense. The silence in the hall was broken only by whispers from fans who could bear the suspense no longer.

South Africa was one of five African nations that bid to host the event.

When Blatter spoke about the unifying role soccer had played throughout Africa, Bhayat began to smile. Then came the moment the crowd had been waiting for - the opening of the envelope that contained the host nation's name.

The announcement itself was drowned out by roars and the popping of champagne corks. Those in the hall leapt into the air; around the city fans took to the streets, dancing their joy.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be the first to be held on African soil.

Many in Mogale City echoed the words of President Thabo Mbeki - "I'm an African". And their sense of pride was overwhelming: a few burst into tears.

While celebrations were still under way, the repercussions sank in: for many the announcement meant the creation of jobs.

Twenty-six-year-old Mbulelo Phatekile, when asked what the event meant to him, said: "Hosting the World Cup means jobs, jobs, jobs - the implementing of a real Reconstruction and Development Programme."

Gogo Moipone, a grandmother from Kagiso, shouted: "Jobs; work for South Africans."

Joe Tlhabaki Modise, a researcher, was over the moon. "I'm happy that the World Cup is coming to South Africa. More and more jobs will be created for the people of this country."

Additional information by Sipho None