ABOUT THE WORLD CUP

Africa's first World Cup: After the final whistle

While Africa's first World Cup ended in a burst of fireworks, celebration and a seemingly endless flow of pats on the back for hosts South Africa, reality was quick to set in with a tragic double bombing in Uganda targeting World Cup watchers in the dying moments of the final match.

Added to this were threats of a repeat of the 2008 xenophobic attacks in the host country as some Zimbabweans living in South Africa reportedly rushed to the border.

These reality checks can't take away from the success of an African World Cup that was safe, well-organised, well-attended and widely reported to have improved the image of South Africa and Africa abroad, with FIFA President Sepp Blatter awarding the host nation a score of nine out ten for their achievement.

South Africa took to the world stage and showed them a side of Africa that had until then been disbelieved and under-reported: infrastructure, development, growth and racial integration. The tournament also showcased the warmth, hospitality and grace of the host nation who, against expectations, kept the festivities going despite their national team being knocked out in the first stage of the competition.

The reality check does, however, force us to take a closer look at the euphoria of the past month and reflect on where the final whistle of the World Cup leaves South Africa and the continent.

Much has been said and written on the so called legacy of the World Cup for South Africa and Africa. The South African government can boast of new stadiums, roads and high speed trains completed on time. Government departments have reported a boost to the economy and a major injection into tourism in the country. Projects from FIFA, NGOs and competing nations before and during the tournament focused on promoting education, soccer development, HIV/Aids prevention, life skills and malaria prevention: although the success and efficiency of these projects will only be seen in years to come and has not dispelled the afro-pessimism that still seems to be thriving.

The editor of South Africa – The Good News, Julie Cunningham, wrote that even in articles heralding the success of the World Cup, sceptics still questioned the right of a developing nation like South Africa to spend billions to host an event like the World Cup. How could South Africans allow FIFA to walk away with their biggest profits yet, whilst the country struggles under the weight of poverty, illiteracy, an AIDS pandemic and many challenges in service delivery? International media were quick to point the finger and say, "How on earth can you celebrate while your people are suffering?"

Cunnginham writes that one user of the British Guardian online, probably a South African, posted a comment on an article about the World Cup's legacy by reporter Richard Williams. Though the article had positive acknowledgements, it was written in a cynical tone. Mr Williams was lamenting the suffering of South Africans.

The user responded: "This (the fact that we hosted this World Cup) is extremely hard to grasp in the developed world that is so dominated by cynicism and detachment, lack of genuine emotion and any faith in any thing," he said. "So, sorry for all of you if can't figure out why, rationally, a nation would do this rather than – cliché coming - build schools and clinics. You will never understand and no explanation is possible if you don't get it by now. And, no, no one here REALLY believes that your concern over the "schools and clinics" is anything more than a risible attempt to put a mask of concern on your supercilious contempt". The comment was decidedly harsh, but it aptly displays the frustration South Africans have felt at constantly having to justify themselves.

The truth is that most South Africans were celebrating, not only those who could make it to the stadiums. Even criminals seem to have been watching and supporting the soccer: initial reports show that the crime rate during June dropped significantly.

Cunningham also wrote that South Africans and Africans who came to the country for this World Cup experienced a sense of community as never before.

"Many white South Africans used public transport for the first time, some South Africans identified with the African continent for the first time as they supported Ghana through to the quarter finals, people talked to each other using the words "we" and "us", shared food, blankets, viewing experiences and a newly discovered love for the beautiful game."

The tournament saw an unprecedented outpouring of patriotic feeling in South Africa with the country's flag flying on cars, businesses and homes. Thousands of South Africans from all walks of life, almost 200 000 in the Sandton area alone, poured onto the streets to wish the national team good luck before the tournament. This sense of community circled out to include the rest of the continent, with thousands showing up to say goodbye to Ghana's Black Stars after their defeat in the quarter finals.

Successfully hosting the biggest sporting event in the world on African soil for the first time has been a major boost in confidence for the host nation and the continent.

We must, however, bear in mind that Africa is a continent of more than 50 countries and even more different tribes and peoples, making it hard to talk about African unity or even define a common "African-ness". But there is no denying that stronger ties between countries in Africa and a strong feeling of common purpose, like the World Cup provided, could contribute to economic growth and stabilize areas that are still fettered by conflict.

The reality of the post World Cup hangover is that a sporting event, even the biggest sporting event in the world, can not take away the challenges of a country or a continent. The sense of euphoria is also fleeting. However, the continuing trend of more regional cooperation and better ties between countries on the continent seems to be strengthened both by African success stories such as the World Cup, and tragedies such as the attacks in Uganda. This trend can provide the confidence, the momentum and the inspiration for further growth and change.

By Linda Krige