Highlight of US & Chinese Students' Trip to South Africa Was Seeing Where Nelson Mandela Was Imprisoned

A group of students from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in the United States, and Shantou University in China, took a journalist trip to South Africa, reporting on the 2010 FIFA World Cup and its impact on life in South Africa.

Their task was to post stories via blogs, photo galleries, podcasts and sound slides; gaining hands-on, multimedia experience and also learning how to work with students from another country. Even though the World Cup provided a dramatic and exciting backdrop for their stay, the students also got a taste of the social, and economic climate and the political issues of South Africa.

"The six journalists left the trip with an open mind and transitioned out of their comfort zone,” said Joe Ritchie, FAMU knight chair and professor of journalism, who organized the trip.

Students said the highlight of the trip was their visit to Robben Island, where they were able to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Read more about their experience here.

South Africa’s World Cup Pride and Hope

We may be biased, but could there have been a more vibrant, colorful and happier host country in the history of the FIFA World Cup than South Africa? From the love-it/hate-it vuvuzela to the scenes of national pride around the country, to the jubilation when a beaming Nelson Mandela appeared at the closing ceremony; the 2010 tournament will be remembered by many as a joyful celebration of football.

It was also an immensely successful event for the South African hosts, who more than exceeded the world’s expectations. With world-class football stadiums, efficient transport arrangements and the added blessing of spectacular scenery, South Africa’s World Cup 2010 has been described as a resounding success.

South African national pride reached bursting point on July 11th, when Madiba (Nelson Mandela) arrived to do a lap of honor with his wife, Graça Machel, and the cheering of the crowd drowned out even the vuvuzela drone at Soccer City stadium.

Knowing how much it would benefit the continent of Africa, Mandela had campaigned for years to host the World Cup, despite critics’ concerns that South Africa could handle the world’s biggest sporting event. Nelson Mandela also saw once again how sport could play a defining role in reaching across the racial divide and uniting his country. In a letter to FIFA, Mandela said that the tournament “symbolizes the power of football to bring people together from all over the world, regardless of language, the color of one’s skin, political or religious persuasion.”

It was Nelson Mandela who chose a path of reconciliation in 1995, embracing the mostly-white sport of rugby and urging all South Africans to support their team (One Team, One Nation) in the international World Cup Rugby tournament, as played out in the movie, Invictus.

Fast forward to fifteen years later, and we saw all South Africans proudly wearing the yellow and green of the Bafana Bafana football team, singing the national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica and cheering as one when Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the tournament. As South African President, Jacob Zuma, said, “We are truly excited by the success and the spirit engulfing the country. For the first time ever in the 16 years of freedom and democracy, we see black and white South Africans celebrating together in the stadiums and fan parks.”

And now that the party is over? South Africa boosted its infrastructure with the building of stadiums, improved roads, hospitals, airports and hospitality facilities. The precise financial benefit is yet to be confirmed, but one million tourists brought their spending money to the country and reports of 700 million people worldwide viewing the final match placed South Africa firmly in the international spotlight, promoting additional future tourism.


Whatever the financial outcome, as international accents fade away and fly to their home countries and South Africa returns to normality, the World Cup event has arguably added to the healing and unity which began in 1995. It has also created a positive atmosphere that is conducive to addressing the reality of the country’s challenges.


Danny Jordaan, the tournament’s top organizer, commented on the gift of the World Cup to South Africa:

“The contribution to this society is the new sense of pride, walking tall and being united. This World Cup created a platform for South Africans to sit together and discover their own sense of pride and their concerns and their hope for the future.”

We at the 46664 Bangle project wish South Africa every success in
realizing those dreams.

Ghanaian striker, Kevin Prince Boateng greets

former president, Nelson Mandela, in Houghton

After an agonizing defeat at the hands of Uruguay on Friday, the Ghana football team made a dramatic exit from the World Cup, as the first and only African team to have made it to the quarter-finals. And yet, the feisty team scored a win of a different kind, as they were treated to a private visit with Nelson Mandela at his home today in Johannesburg.

"It's a dream come true," said midfielder Derek Boateng after the team met Mandela. "He is a legend, you know, and everybody is talking about him," Boateng said. "It is the first time we have met him."

They may not have qualified for the World Cup semi-finals, but the Ghanaians can return home with their heads held high, and with a personal memory of meeting one of the world’s most inspiring men, Nelson Mandela. See more photos here, courtesy of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Reggie Bush Supports 46664 Bangle Initiative on World Cup 2010 Visit

In this video, Reggie Bush proudly wears his beautiful silver 46664 Bangle, talks about bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS and taking that message back to the States.

The New Orleans Saints American football star is in South Africa to support the US team for World Cup 2010. He visited the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s offices as well as the 46664 Bangle workshop to learn more about the work that the Foundation and 46664 does in South Africa and across the continent.

46664 Bangle employees were excited to meet Reggie Bush in Johannesburg as he heard more about how the 46664 Bangle initiative contributes to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

Reggie talked about helping to raise awareness about HIV AIDS and how he would like to bring that awareness back to the States.

Thanks and appreciation to Reggie Bush for making his World Cup visit to South Africa a meaningful one!

Taking In More Than Football - Sports Stars at World Cup Support 46664 Bangle

In an extraordinarily dramatic World Cup so far; from underdog wins to referee upsets and players on strike, it's good to see international superstars take a step back from football (or soccer, as we call it in the US) and make time to experience different facets of South Africa.

There was great excitement when Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints, Thomas Williams of the New England Patriots, and legendary French football ambassador Zinedine Zidane visited the 46664 Bangle workshop; meeting some of the employees and learning more about the project's contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention.

Reggie Bush praised how the 46664 Bangle project "does a lot of good for HIV/AIDS awareness and I hope that I can help by bringing more awareness to the issue.”

The stars also spent time at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, learning more about the work that the Foundation and 46664 does in South Africa and across the continent. Nelson Mandela Foundation spokesman, Sello Hatang, said that Reggie Bush "was here to show his commitment and support for the foundation and its work, and to make sure that we can make Mandela's legacy live forever".

Zinedine Zidane spoke passionately of Nelson Mandela, "he has written history, great history with a great H" and "this man is very, very special.” We agree!

Mandela’s Vision Comes True as World Cup 2010 Unites South Africans

Amid the buzzing of the vuvuzelas and the exuberant cheers of the crowd, there was a moment of sadness at the opening match when South African President, Jacob Zuma, referred to the tragic news of the death of Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter the night before the opening match.

A mourning Madiba, South Africa’s beloved anti-apartheid icon, could not join in on the explosion of emotion and national pride at the opening ceremony, but the crowd of 95,000 at Soccer City roared its approval when President Jacob Zuma delivered Mandela’s message to enjoy the football – “The spirit of Mandela is in Soccer City”. And indeed it was.

South African team, Bafana Bafana, played a gutsy and passionate game, scoring the very first goal of the World Cup, in their match against Mexico. Although the match ended in a 1-1 draw, spirits ran high as fans celebrated their 83rd ranked team’s results against Mexico, ranked at 17. The sea of multi-colored faces – waving South African flags, trumpeting on their vuvuzelas, and proudly wearing their makarabas, showed the kind of unity Nelson Mandela has always dreamed of.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela

Whatever the challenges are in this rainbow-colored nation, sport has once again reached across the racial divide and today the sun shines brightly in South Africa, fulfilling Madiba’s vision of sports uniting his nation. As FIFA president Sepp Blatter said recently, “Let’s celebrate the most charismatic humanist alive – Nelson Mandela”. Feel the pride of South Africans and read their positive messages here.

World Cup Delight As Family Confirms Mandela Will Attend Opening

It’s just 2 days away from the opening of the world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Vuvuzelas are abuzz, spontaneous displays of diski and waka waka dances abound, and the Nelson Mandela bridge in Johannesburg is draped with a gigantic banner of a smiling Madiba. Football Fever is everywhere as national pride explodes across South Africa.

But what has been missing for the last few weeks? Absolute confirmation that South Africa’s most famous citizen, former president Nelson Mandela, would be at the Soccer City stadium’s opening ceremony. A “will he, won’t he?” rumble rippled across the internet as people held their breath, waiting to hear whether the 91-year-old inspirational leader would make an appearance.

Today, a collective cheer could be heard around the world as Nelson Mandela’s family announced that he would be in the audience at the opening ceremony. His grandson, Mandla Mandela, said his grandfather "will come and greet the fans", then will watch the rest of the game from his home. Nelson Mandela Foundation spokesman, Sello Hating, confirmed the statesman's attendance but said a final decision will only be taken on the day.

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, has described Mandela as “the architect of World Cup 2010” and a major influence in bringing the World Cup to the African continent for the first time. Nelson Mandela is a global icon for human rights, reconciliation, diversity, respect and freedom – all of which are powerful qualities to add to the excitement of World Cup 2010 through his presence on June 11th.