Friday 1 January marked the beginning of the most important year in South Africa since 1994, President Jacob Zuma said in his New Year message, calling on all South Africans to work together make the 2010 Fifa World Cup "one of the most successful projects we have ever undertaken as a nation".
South Africans made history in 1994, when the country held its first democratic elections, Zuma said.
"We embarked on a phase of reconciliation and forgiveness, and worked hard to build one nation, united in its diversity ... We have proven to the world that it is possible to emerge from a horrible conflict, and work together ... to build a successful, peaceful, stable, multiparty constitutional democracy."
The year 2010 "is our next critical moment," the President said. "We have won the greatest marketing opportunity of our time, the rights to host the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup."
http://www.southafrica.info/news/newyear.htm
