South Africa has been chosen by Fifa as the host country for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The announcement was made by Fifa president Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Saturday. "Fifa has made the right decision. It's time to go out an celebrate," said President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria as the bells of the Union Buildings rang out in celebration.

Mandela climbed stiffly on to the stage and lifted aloft the golden World Cup trophy in joy after the announcement.

Blatter praised the quality of the bids.

"We are proud of Africa because Africa has presented very good bids, very classy bids," he said.

In Pretoria, President Thabo Mbeki punched the sky and leapt into the air when the announcement was made.

On landing, he was inundated with hugs and kisses from Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad as well as Deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.

"Fifa has made the right decision. It's time to go out an celebrate," said Mbeki as the bells of the Union Buildings in Pretoria rang out in celebration.

Following the "absolutely sensational" confirmation, South African Tourism CEO Cheryl Carolus said the country's tourism industry will be ready and waiting to give a warm South African welcome to the thousands of fans who will flock to the country to the largest sporting event of its kind in the world.

"What better news could our industry have asked for to cement the successes we have achieved and are indeed celebrating during this historic year as we celebrate 10 years of freedom?" she asked.

"You can't keep a good country down," said an ecstatic Chez Milani, general secretary of the Federation of Unions of South Africa.

South African Chamber of Business chief executive James Lennox said the result was the outcome of a lot of really hard work, especially by Danny Jordaan's bid committee.

"Well done to everyone! Well done to other bidders as well. They [Fifa] had a range of good bids [to choose from]. Now the work really begins," Lennox said.

"The bid has captured the imagination of the South African public and business as well. It will no doubt help establish a common South African identity. The economy will gain massively from this," Lennox added.

Landless People's Movement national organiser Mangaliso Kubheka said that as a former soccer player he was very happy with the decision.

He was, however, concerned that when 2010 rolled around, the authorities, in a bid to make the country more appealing, could be tempted to clear up squatter camps and dump shack dwellers somewhere out of sight.

Economist Mike Schussler beamed at the result: "Wow! This certainly a boost for growth and employment."

He estimates the tournament will result in pre-World Cup construction worth R3-billion, and will earn the country between R13-billion and R24-billion over its 43-day duration and another R8-billion afterwards.

Schussler expects 120 000 new jobs will be created, of which roughly half will be sustainable.

Soccer fans celebrate across South Africa
Back in South Africa, earlier on Saturday enthusiastic soccer supporters gathered at the Five Roses Super Bowl in Mofolo, Soweto on Saturday, the venue for one of the festivals leading up to the announcement of the 2010 soccer bid.

Big-name artists such as kwaito stars Loyiso Bala and Mandoza were performing there until 4pm and a big screen was erected to allow the local residents to witness the proceedings unfolding in Zurich.

It was business as usual for the self-employed Nkosinathi Dube, a resident who sells popcorn, sweets and cigarettes.

On Saturday morning the 29-year-old said he was cautiously optimistic that South Africa would get the nod.

"People like myself really need this so that we can develop and grow as businessmen," he said.

Thousands of anticipating fans crowded into Pretoria's Church Square on Saturday morning, where the announcement was broadcast live on a huge television screen. Waving flags and bouncing soccer balls, people marched through the streets optimistically proclaiming the country's victory hours before the actual announcement was due.

In Johannesburg, a crowd of South African soccer fans gathered at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown to witness the announcement of the Soccer World Cup bid result and attend a party organised by the city of Johannesburg.

About 2 500 revellers on the square lept for joy the moment Fifa president Sepp Blatter opened the envelope that revealed that South Africa had won the right the host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The crowd literally jumped with joy, madly waving South African flags and blowing horns. In the final minutes before the annoucement, many cars stopped on the M1 bridge over the square with drivers and passengers climbing out to hear the announcement.

In Cape Town, a crowd of several hundred people, growing by the second, started gathering at the Good Hope Centre in a misty and cold Cape Town from well before 11am in anticipation of the winning bid announcement.

Rap artists, discos and a variety of musicians entertained the noisy, enthusiastic crowd. Soccer horns added to the festivities while others joined in groups singing soccer songs.

The Good Hope Centre has hardly ever seen an emotional outburst greater than it did when Blatter announced South Africa's successful bid.

The crowd of several thousand erupted in spontaneous cheering, dancing, crying, laughing, and whatever else they could conjur up as Blatter smiled benignly on the two big screens alongside the stage after the announcement.

High-fives, handshakes with strangers all round and kissing anyone in sight was the order of the day.

Members of the South African Police Service, Metro Police and private security companies were out in full force. -- Sapa
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