South Africa is in shock today as the news spread that Nelson Mandela will not attend the opening match after the tragic death of his great granddaughter.
The excitement in the rainbow nation had reached fever pitch ahead of the opening match early this morning and the expected attendance of the father of the nation had send the levels of expectations into the stratosphere.
However, the death of his 13-year-old great-granddaughter has considerably tempered the hype on this historic day.
Zenani Mandela, one of his nine great grandchildren, was killed on her way home from the World Cup concert at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the venue where the Crusaders played their semi-final only weeks ago.
South Africans have hardly been able to contain their excitement and pride and Johannesburg was awoken by the sound of vuvuzela horns as early as 5am yesterday, blaring across every corner of the city, from the posh neighbourhoods of Sandton to the shanty towns of Daveyton.
After the initial scepticism and fears that the African continent could not cope with a tournament of this size, the locals were bursting with pride how their country has pulled together for the biggest sporting show on Earth.
To demonstrate their love for their country and their Bafana Bafana team, every South African of all colours, was yesterday wearing the yellow team strip, most of them armed with a vuvuzela.
After months of speculation in the local media about Mandela’s appearance, the debate yesterday shifted to the question around his duties to his country versus those of head of his family.
The frail 92-year-old has barely been seen in public over the past few months, but the locals had prayed that ‘Madiba’, as he is affectionately known, would gather his remaining strength to inspire Bafana Bafana to victory in the opening match against Mexico.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation last night put a statement that “the family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy” and said that it would be inappropriate at this time of grieving to appear at Soccer City.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement saying the former president would now be unable to attend the opening ceremonies of the tournament.
“We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy,” the statement read.
“We continue to believe the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success. Madiba will be there with you in spirit today,” the statement said, using a title from the Xhosa language by which Mr. Mandela is widely known.
Details of the accident remain incomplete. The Associated Press quoted a police spokeswoman, Edna Mamonyane, saying the driver was found to be drunk: “He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade.”