NORTON – Oliver Mtukudzi sends a congratulatory message below to the whole of the African continent and particularly to the nation of South Africa following the successful hosting of the just ended first African FIFA soccer World Cup:
Africa rose in unprecedented show of solidarity rallying behind the people of South Africa to produce what has been officially acknowledged as one of the best organized soccer World Cup finals ever.

For a good month the world focused entirely on South Africa without blinking. We saw how the power of sport singularly brought together the Who-is-Who of the world’s social personalities and the business magnates too.

< Oliver Mtukudzi hails the nation of South Africa and indeed Africa at large for successfully hosting the FIFA soccer World Cup.

We saw the glitzy Hollywood celebrities and all descending on South Africa. Music’s world attractions danced with our people in our midst sharing jokes, laughter and love. Even world politicians and all the royalty set aside egos and rubbed shoulders and perhaps learning too from sport how the good game of soccer fosters tolerance and instills the discipline that someone, other than yourself, are better people also and evenly equal to the task – that no one has monopoly over success.

But what is even more important, for the African continent, is the single most important lesson coming from the soccer showcase - that working together Africa can achieve more - that the bedrock of any great nation is its people. Such is the legacy that the World Cup has left many of us. It was a totally uplifting experience that will remain forever deeply etched on all our collective memory as Africa.

Today the Western stereotypes that alienated Africa are dead silent. They are embracing us and acknowledging Motherland and our great people. We will hold our heads high and with every justification that South Africa has done Africa proud.

Look at world television networks today, how the channels are awash with positivity from the World Cup organization - the world class infrastructure, the warmth of the African people, the peace…

The good news must positively shape the perceptions of many of those who may not have shared the true African experience.

Now after the partying and celebrations are done South Africa faces an equally daunting task to help the continent build on the soccer success and transform the accrued benefits into people driven socio-economic sustainable development.

The world will continue its gaze upon South Africa. The world will now judge the continent positively against the background of this African success story and all the reason why this legacy must live forever.

But it can only begin now with this great nation of South Africa to bequeath that legacy and pride to its people and never to undo that extraordinary show and spirit of ubuntu that is the hallmark of the African humanity and one which ultimately defined the African triumph at hosting soccer’s most esteemed Cup. – Oliver Mtukudzi