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.

Beauty and the Bangle: Miss World Representatives Wear the 46664 Bangle

Miss Chile, Miss Japan, Miss Cameroon and Miss USA wearing the 46664 Bangle bracelet

Looking good took on a new meaning this week in South Africa, as Miss World representatives wore the 46664 Bangle bracelet to raise awareness for the HIV/AIDS prevention campaign in support of the Nelson Mandela Foundation..

Over the years, the Miss World event has raised more than $400 million in support of children’s charities worldwide, and philanthropy has become an integral part of the pageant. The Beauty with a Purpose award recognizes the Miss World contestant who has made a real difference to people in need as they volunteer their time and efforts towards a local charity. As these beautiful young women highlight the importance of humanitarian campaigns, they bring hope to thousands of people in need, making the world a better place.

Thank you for your support. Beauty with a purpose, indeed!

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.