South Africa -- Prepared for the Big Stage

Nine South Africdan cities and ten stadiums  have been built or renovated for the biggest soccer event in the world.  Take a look at these venues.  During our trip, we will see many of these and witness the best soccer in the world with friends all over the country.


Cape Town
Cape Town, at the foot of iconic Table Mountain, is a cosmopolitan city with beautiful natural surrounds.
Green Point Stadium



Durban
The city's "golden mile", a four kilometre stretch of beaches, restaurants and promenades, holds pride of place in culturally varied Durban.
Durban Stadium



Johannesburg
The city is a financial Juggernaut on the African continent. Pulsating with energy and drive, Johannesburg is a hub of culture and excitement.
Ellis Park Stadium



Johannesburg Soccer City
For a long time Soccer City was the only South African stadium dedicated to the beautiful game and is a fitting finals venue.




Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Mangaung/Bloemfontein's open spaces reflect the openness of its people - friendly, warm and quietly dignified.
Free State Stadium



Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth has a 40 kilometre stretch of immaculate beaches in a protected bay.
Port Elizabeth Stadium


Nelspruit
Surrounded by some of the country's most spectacular game reserves and the famous Kruger National Park, Nelspruit offers more than just a world-class football stadium. Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga Province.
Mbombela Stadium


Polokwane
Polokwane is often described as a vibrant, busy and colourful wonderland in a sea of grasslands, surrounded by scenic mountains.
Peter Mokaba Stadium



Rustenburg
In the heart of the savannah bushveld is the city of Rustenburg, brimming with natural beauty at the foot of the Magaliesburg Mountains.
Royal Bafokeng Stadium



Tshwane/Pretoria
Tshwane/Pretoria's rich and colourful heritage makes the city come alive with a unique blend of new and old.
Loftus Versfeld Stadium 


Click Here to read the full article about these destinations.

USA Defeats Turkey in warmup match

Two weeks before they open their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ against England, United States players rallied from a woeful first half for a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Turkey on Saturday.

Read the full article here.

Returning to the Land of Ubuntu

I will be blogging for the next few weeks (June 1 through July 18, 2010) from South Africa  -- the Land of Ubuntu.

I had the life-changing experience of living in South Africa at the end of the Apartheid era, and the birth of the New South Africa.  One of my most thrilling moments was meeting Nelson Mandela and shaking his hand. He was such a warm and engaging man with wisdom and charm to fill any room.  His enduring stamp on the future of that new nation was the call to everyone to live with the "Spirit of Ubuntu -- I am because of who you are."

This is a collaborative challenge to those who were once adversaries to combine their respective strengths into a new, and stronger nation.  Recently, Morgan Freeman played Mandela  in the movie "Invictus."  This movie was set around the South African Rugby Team and their quest to win the Rugby world cup in 1996.  I was living in South Africa at the time, and witnessed the impact of a nation coalescing in support of a sports team.  When the South African Springboks won, the unity of purpose extended beyond sports into the fabric of the nation.  The response was invigorating, and led to one and all, asking with a smile, "How do you like our new South Africa?"

I am returning to the Land of Ubuntu to enjoy the World Cup Soccer matches from June 11th to July 11th.  I don't know what the chances of South Africa winning may be, but I do know that this nation has accepted the challenge of stepping onto the world stage to host this great event.  In the Group Matches, I wll be cheering for Team USA.  If our team advances beyond the Group Matches, we will be there to support them.  Most of our time, however, will be spent with our South African brothers and sisters -- renewing the bonds that link us to the motherland.

I look forward to sharing our "once in a lifetime experience" back to the Land of Ubuntu.