Africa's World Cup

South Africa the nation known for its history of apartheid, as well as reform, is once again at a crossroads in its history. This past year, South Africa was selected by football’s (soccer in the U.S.) world governing body FIFA to host the greatest 19th edition of the World Cup. Many South Africans are seeeing this not only as a sporting extravaganza, but also as an event to demonstrate the progress of its democracy and how South Africa is ready to take its place on the global stage.

According to CNN, Nelson Mandela, the former president who spearheaded many of the nation’s reforms, will be at the opening of the games later this week to watch South Africa kick off the tournament in front of more than 90,000 fans from nearly every nation on the globe. Many South Africans, though, are looking past the games to see what impact the event will have not only on the country’s economy, but on it political progress as well.

Statistics from the United Nations estimate that South Africa ranks 129th out of 182 of the world’s poorest countries. Unemployment is currently around 30 percent. The average life expectancy is 50 years of age (and declining) -- with 63 percent of all deaths attributed to HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization figures).

If the World Cup and South Africa are serious about making a real difference in the lives of South Africans -- they truly do have their work cut out for them!