Africa's first football World Cup began in an explosion of colour and emotion at an opening ceremony in Johannesburg's Soccer City tonight, blighted by the absence of a grief-stricken Nelson Mandela.Fans wept openly as five planes swept over the stadium and the iconic township of Soweto before 1500 performers piled on to the pitch for a choreographed dance routine which saw them create a map of Africa.
Mandela was missing after his great granddaughter was killed in a car crash on the way back from an eve of tournament concert but his words were interspersed in an opening song, imploring fans to "overcome all adversity".
Organisers had hoped that South Africa's first black president Mandela would wow the crowds with an appearance but he was instead mourning the death of his 13-year-old granddaughter Zenani Mandela in a crash that police said was caused by a drunk driver.
Mandela is 91 and has been in frail health.
If you like this informative post, then please subscribe to my full RSS Feed.