体坛英语资讯：South Africa says World Cup helps destroy Africa stereotypes

Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has said the successful 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa means a giant step has been taken towards destroying negative stereotypes of Africa and Africans.

Mbeki was president in 2004 when South Africa won the right to host the tournament in 2010.

The FIFA World Cup final was held in Johannesburg's Soccer City on Sunday night, concluding a month-long tournament of 64 matches in South Africa.

Talk Radio702 in Johannesburg said on Monday that Mbeki had written a commentary on the tournament in which he said that Afro- pessimists have been proved wrong by the tournament.

Mbeki also said Africans have made an important statement to themselves that they are as capable as any in the world to organize for success.

In his commentary Mbeki said a giant step forward has been taken toward achieving the goal of destroying the age-old negative stereotype of Africa and Africans.

"Similarly, as Africans we have also made an important statement to ourselves that we are as capable as any in the world to organize for success that brings a sense of fulfillment to billions."

He said that for South Africa, success in hosting the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup means "Africa is well poised to continue its advance towards its renaissance, hopefully supported by the rest of humanity, acting as partners for Africa's renewal".

The former South African president said Africa must therefore proceed from the 2010 playing fields to claim the 21st century and liberate itself from the accumulated weight of centuries of the denial of human dignity.

Acknowledging Mbeki's contribution, Business Day newspaper in Johannesburg said in its editorial opinion on Monday "The fact is that it was the former president's vision of an African renaissance, with South Africa leading the charge to prove to the rest of the world that the continent was not destined to disappoint in perpetuity, that resulted in us persisting in our bid to host the tournament."

The theme was also mentioned by the Citizen newspaper in Johannesburg which said Mbeki's vision of an African renaissance had undoubtedly helped drive the successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Now we know he was correct in that assessment of South Africa's ability to stage the greatest show on earth." the newspaper said.