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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma officially opened the 2010 Soccer World Cup less than 10 minutes before the start of the game.
He began by conveying a message from former president Nelson Mandela who could attend as he was grieving the death of his great grandchild Zenani in a car crash on Friday morning.
He said, "He had wanted to come to greet you before the start of the match but unfortunately there was a tragedy in the Mandela family, but he said 'the game must start you must enjoy the game'."
Zuma said South Africa was honoured to be hosting the games.
"Africa is indeed happy, this is the African World Cup," he said as spectators blew their vuvuzelas during his pauses.
"Yes, yes yes, the time for Africa has come, it has arrived. Ke Nako.
"Allow me ladies and gentlemen to say I'm honoured and privileged to be given an opportunity to declare the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup open," Zuma said.
He then turned to embrace FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
He began by conveying a message from former president Nelson Mandela who could attend as he was grieving the death of his great grandchild Zenani in a car crash on Friday morning.
He said, "He had wanted to come to greet you before the start of the match but unfortunately there was a tragedy in the Mandela family, but he said 'the game must start you must enjoy the game'."
Zuma said South Africa was honoured to be hosting the games.
"Africa is indeed happy, this is the African World Cup," he said as spectators blew their vuvuzelas during his pauses.
"Yes, yes yes, the time for Africa has come, it has arrived. Ke Nako.
"Allow me ladies and gentlemen to say I'm honoured and privileged to be given an opportunity to declare the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup open," Zuma said.
He then turned to embrace FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
