FIFA Updates

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Nelson Mandela waved to the crowd at Soccer City as South
Africa bid farewell to the 2010 World Cup in emotional and joyous ceremony on
Sunday.

The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon had kept a low profile during the
monthlong tournament, deciding against attending the opener June 11 after the
death of his great-grand daughter in a traffic accident following a World Cup
concert.

Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside wife, Graca Machel, the
smiling, warmly dressed Mandela was welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzelas
and roars from the crowd. He shook hands with officials before leaving the field
a few minutes later.

Earlier, Shakira performed “Waka Waka” (“This Time for Africa”,) the
competition’s official song.

Also performing was Grammy Award-winning cappella group Ladysmith Black
Mambazo.

The ceremony was attended by heads of state from across Africa, including
South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe.

Dutch and Spanish royals were also present, as were Archbishop Desmon Tutu
and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. They were rubbing shoulders with
the likes of model Naomi Campbell, tennis star Rafael Nadal and Oscar-winning
actor Morgan Freeman.

Dancers wearing the colors of the 32 competing nations performed before a
backdrop of pictures of stars and fans beamed onto the field. Performers dressed
in white elephant costumes made their way onto the field toward a large image of
a watering hole.

Themes included pantsula and gumboot dancing and local jazz—all
touchstones of South African music.

Dutch and Spanish fans created a carnival atmosphere before the match,
embracing police officers outside the stadium and posing for photographs while
blowing vuvuzelas, the horn whose sound has become synonymous with the 2010
tournament.

Some had doubted South Africa’s ability to stage a successful tournament,
but the matches were played before large, upbeat crowds.

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Nelson Mandela will greet fans ahead of Sunday’s World Cup
final at Soccer City, his grandson says.

The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon will then go home and watch the final
between Spain and Netherlands, Mandla Mandela told The Associated Press.

“He said that he wants to come out and greet fans at the stadium,” Mandla
said, adding that the former South African president was resting Sunday
afternoon so he could be “fresh and energetic” for the appearance. The match
between Spain and the Netherlands was to kick off at 8:30 p.m. local time.

Mandela has kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, having
decided against attending the opening game on June 11 following the death of his
great-granddaughter.

Earlier, Mandla Mandela criticized FIFA for putting “extreme pressure” on
the man who led South Africa out of apartheid to attend the World Cup final.

He said FIFA was being “inconsiderate,” given that the family is still in
mourning.

“My grandfather has recently lost a great-granddaughter and the family is
in mourning,” Mandela said. “They should be appraised of our customs and
traditions.”

Mandela’s 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, was killed in a
car crash while returning from the World Cup opening concert.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said it would be “wonderful” for Mandela
to be at the final, having been instrumental in bringing the first World Cup to
Africa.

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Nelson Mandela will greet fans ahead of Sunday’s World Cup
final at Soccer City, his grandson says.

The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon will then go home and watch the final
between Spain and Netherlands, Mandla Mandela told The Associated Press.

“He said that he wants to come out and greet fans at the stadium,” Mandla
said, adding that the former South African president was resting Sunday
afternoon so he could be “fresh and energetic” for the appearance. The match
between Spain and the Netherlands was to kick off at 8:30 p.m. local time.

Mandela has kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, having
decided against attending the opening game on June 11 following the death of his
great-granddaughter.

Earlier, Mandla Mandela criticized FIFA for putting “extreme pressure” on
the man who led South Africa out of apartheid to attend the World Cup final.

He said FIFA was being “inconsiderate,” given that the family is still in
mourning.

“My grandfather has recently lost a great-granddaughter and the family is
in mourning,” Mandela said. “They should be appraised of our customs and
traditions.”

Mandela’s 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, was killed in a
car crash while returning from the World Cup opening concert.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said it would be “wonderful” for Mandela
to be at the final, having been instrumental in bringing the first World Cup to
Africa.