FIFA Football World Cup 2010

A Sense of A new era about to dawn and joie de vivre

This is the first FIFA Football World Cup ever taking place on the African continent. It is, therefore, fitting that the World Cup should have as its slogan ‘Ke nako: Celebrate Africa’s Humanity’. ‘Ke nako’ is Sotho, one of the eleven official languages of South Africa, meaning: “Our time has come”. Let us have an African football celebration!

For South Africa, this means far more than football. A success by Bafana Bafana, the national football team, will make all South Africans cheer together – whether black or white, whether rich or poor. The World Cup will enter into South Africa’s history as a wonderful, shared experience.

A leap in development. Since 2004 – when the World Cup was awarded to South Africa by the FIFA – enormous investments have been made: construction of wonderful new stadia, improvement and extension of highways, railways and public transport, as well as modernisation of telecommunication technologies. Because of and with the Football World Cup, South Africa will experience a gigantic leap in development.

A new era is about to dawn. South Africa will show the world that Africa is also a continent of rapid development, dynamic modernisation and full of joie de vivre. One can feel that a new era is about to dawn in Africa. No pity is expected, but a strong sense of togetherness; no handouts are wanted, but cooperation as partners. Germany has been supporting South Africa since 2006 in many areas of the World Cup organisation and beyond.

Support. With counseling, personnel, financial and other support Germany has accompanied the South African organisers since 2004. The focus is on the organisers exchange of experiences regarding youth projects, transport, and safety during the World Cup, als well as the climate-friendly roll-out of the World Cup.

Fan-website for the Football World Cup 2010

For German fans and other interested parties the German Embassy in South Africa has compiled numerous facts around the Football World Cup, venues as well as travel tips. All of these can be found on the website:

http://www.ger-sa-football.diplo.de