South Africans are mad at FIFA for ruining their proud World Cup moment

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The 2010 World Cup is one of South Africa’s proudest moments.

As host of the first-ever FIFA championship held on the African continent, an ecstatic nation set aside its woes and welcomed the world.

But as scandalous details emerge of the $10-million bribe allegedly paid to FIFA officials for the hosting rights, the reaction in South Africa is overwhelmingly one of sadness, and fear that the corruption allegations have cast a stain on a beautiful memory.

To Stephen Grootes, a South African journalist, Wednesday's revelations — which followed news of high-ranking soccer officials arrested in a corruption inquiry — mark “the day FIFA stole a part of us.”

“It’s stolen more than a moment in time, or part of our memory as a nation, or one of the events that is part of our founding myth,” Grootes writes. “At a time when it can be difficult to have self-respect as a South African, they’ve stolen some of that too.”

South Africa’s memories from 2010 are of a month in which the usual corruption scandals, political wrangling and even the high crime problem were all set aside. A fractured history was temporarily forgotten, and a unified Rainbow Nation felt like a reality, not just a cliche.

South Africans, gripped by soccer fever — and a disturbing fondness for the “vuvuzela” — played house-proud host, welcoming foreign visitors with typical hospitality and enthusiasm.

Given the power of that June and July in 2010, a number of South Africans on Twitter have described the alleged bribe as money well spent — that it was “worth it.”

Lunga Felane tweeted: “‏if u gonna pay a bribe that's one time it is understandable.”

But to many others the news that South Africa may have paid for its moment in the world soccer spotlight is a gutting thought.

South Africa’s World Cup bid was closely associated with the late Nelson Mandela, a crucial supporter. He is believed to have brought the “Madiba magic” necessary for South Africa to win the 2010 hosting rights. 

Mandela's last public appearance before his death in 2013 was ahead of the World Cup final, when he and wife Graca Machel toured Soweto's Soccer City stadium in a golf cart as the crowd cheered. A clearly weakened Mandela, bundled up against the winter chill, smiled brightly and waved with Machel's help.

Puleng Mashabane tweeted a common sentiment now: "Just when we thought hosting 2010 Fifa WC was a result of Madiba Magic! He must be turning in his grave."

Back in 2010, on the eve of the opening match, the Times, a Johannesburg newspaper, triumphantly declared: “Today, South Africa finds itself at one of the most significant moments in its young democracy.”

On Thursday the newspaper described the corruption allegations as a “betrayal.”

“In 2010 South Africans embraced the World Cup — it changed us for the better as a nation,” an editorial says. “People saved up to buy their tickets, or flocked to the fan parks and pubs to share their joy with thousands of football-crazy visitors from abroad.”

“The parasites in Fifa who skimmed off millions — and the influence peddlers who tempted them — should be shown no mercy.”