20100606
Reuters

The soccer World Cup is uniting South Africa, much like the 1995
world rugby victory helped break down racial barriers, and it will leave a legacy for decades to come, President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.

South Africa becomes the first African nation to host the world's most watched tournament from Friday.

"The enthusiasm, joy and excitement that has engulfed the entire nation in recent weeks has not been witnessed since President Nelson Mandela was released from prison (in 1990)," Zuma said at a press briefing.

"This explosion of national pride is a priceless benefit of the World Cup tournament."

Mandela led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994 but remains divided in many respects with most of the country's wealth still in the hands of the white minority and some communities still split along racial lines.

Officials hope the tournament will have the same effect as the image of Mandela -- who spent 27 years in jail under apartheid -- did when he famously handed over the rugby World Cup trophy to captain Francois Pienaar in 1995 wearing his Springbok jersey.

'NEVER SEEN'

Rugby has traditionally been a white sport in South Africa, while soccer is followed fervently by the black majority.