Cape Town - Political parties across the spectrum have echoed President Jacob Zuma's praise for South Africans, attributing the success of the 2010 Soccer World Cup to their patriotic spirit and passion.
During Wednesday's joint sitting of Parliament to debate the successful hosting of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the people of South Africa emerged as the true stars of the tournament and were lauded for their contribution by the President and political parties.
DA leader and Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille said the single greatest achievement of the World Cup was the way it had changed stereotypes.
"We demonstrated that Africa is not 'The Hopeless Continent' that The Economist magazine said we were 10 years ago. We showed that Afro-pessimists that we have enormous potential. And we started to believe ourselves again," she said.
Leader of the ACDP, Kenneth Meshoe said the World Cup went beyond all expectations. "Yes Africa did it and South Africa did it in style," he added.
The World Cup brought with it a sense of joy and harmony the country South Africans had never experienced before, Meshoe said. He added that the image of country had been improved by the success of the World Cup.
Royith Bhoola of the Minority Front said South Africa had gained the respect of the world when Sepp Blatter declared that the 2010 World Cup was the best World Cup ever.
"Our organisational ability in sport goes to show that we are a nation that we can be proud of," he said. Bhoola added that the success of the World Cup had renewed faith and hope in South Africa, as the country had proved its capabilities.
"Accolades must be awarded to all South Africans who showed the true spirit of brotherhood and patriotism," he said.
FF Plus leader and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Pieter Mulder thanked South Africans who dreamt that the country could host the World Cup, quoting Dr. Robert Goddard of the American space programme, who said: "Every dream is a joke, until the first person accomplishes it."
Mulder pointed out that most journalists both internationally and locally, who pessimistic about the country's ability to host the World Cup before the tournament began, had only positive things to say about South Africa once the soccer spectacle was over.
