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.

Nelson Mandela meets The Elders

On May 29, 2010, The Elders – a group of prominent statesmen and women from across the globe, including Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu and honorary member, Aung San Suu Kyi - met with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. The Elders were initially brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007 after Richard Branson and the musician Peter Gabriel conceived the idea of utilizing the wealth of experience, diplomacy and knowledge of some of the world’s most prominent statesmen, activists and leaders. The Elders aim is to effect change on issues that effect us all: HIV/AIDS, peace building, helping to address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.

It was great to see the group meeting with Nelson Mandela this weekend and inevitably a number of wheels are now turning thanks to their discussions and foresight. For more information visit The Elders directly.

(photo is official copyright of www.theelders.org)