Former president Nelson Mandela

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• nelson mandela

• johannesburg

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• mexico

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Johhanesburg – Family tragedy may have prevented his appearance, but South Africans streaming into the Soccer City stadium for the World Cup kick-off hoped Nelson Mandela would still work his magic from afar.

Honking vuvuzela horns and draped in South African flags, thousands of supporters took their places as the gates opened some six hours before South Africa and Mexico were due to get the competition under way.

Mandela, the county's first black president and still its moral inspiration, had been expected to attended the opening but the death overnight of his great-granddaughter in a car crash means he will spend the day mourning at home.

"What happened to the Mandela family is very unfortunate, the whole country was expecting to see him here this afternoon," said Eric Venter, who had driven from his home in northwestern Potchefstroom to cheer on Bafana Bafana.

"Let's hope he can still give us the Madiba magic to help us win the match," added the 46-year-old.

Struggle icon

Mandela, also known by his clan name Madiba, was the icon of the struggle against apartheid rule before walking to freedom in 1990 after 27 years in captivity.

"The sudden death of his granddaughter touches us all," said Mike Sithole, another early-comer.

"The entire nation feels his pain. He does not deserve the pain of losing a family member especially at his age," added Sithole who comes from Pretoria.

Soccer City, built to resemble an African calabash cooking pot, lies only a short distance from the Soweto township which was once the home of 91-year-old Mandela and a frontline of the fight against apartheid.

As she bagged her seat in the stadium six hours before kick-off, Martha Shange took a moment to reflect on South Africa's transformation from international pariah to World Cup host in the last two decades.

Historic day

"I never thought this day would come," said Shange, from the Johannesburg suburb of Boksburg.

"I came in early so that I can say I saw everything about this historic day. I am hoping for a beautiful day," she said.

"The games have started, nothing can stop us now. Bafana Bafana must win."

Mexicans were also swept up in the mood, sporting poncho blankets and large-rimmed sombrero hats as they mixed freely with South African fans.

"The South Africans are warm people, it is nice to be here. We have made friends but we won't be friends anymore after the kick-off," said one Mexican supporter, Pingo Molof.

Special transport

Roads around the stadium were closed to traffic and many supporters made their way by special buses or a train service that stops outside the grounds.

"Almost 10 000 people have arrived since the gates opened. No problems reported so far," said a police officer stationed outside the stadium.

In a briefing to officers, National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele warned the eyes of the world would be on them. He said 34 000 police would be deployed around the stadium, with 10 000 reservists at other public areas.

"Today is finally the realisation of the South African dream," he said.

"People think they can mess up our good name as South Africans. We say to them, don't say you were not warned."