Archbishop Desmond Tutu believes the 2010 World Cup is a good chance to demonstrate the gains South Africa has made since the end of apartheid. "This thing is as important as Obama getting into the White House," he told reporters Friday at the South African Embassy in the German capital. "For people of color everywhere, it would lift them."
The anti-apartheid stalwart, and the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, helped bring about the end of apartheid in 1994 by proving a thorn in the side of the oppressive white government. He recalled the excitement that enveloped the country in 1995 when it hosted the Rugby World Cup, ultimately winning the tournament with a 15-12 upset of New Zealand. "It did more for our country's reconciliation than all my sermons for a year," he said, adding that sports go a long way in promoting both racial and cultural unity. "If human beings of all these different colors can come together … then there is hope for the world."
As to fears South Africa has fallen behind in building the infrastructure for the World Cup, Tutu believes this is a great chance to prove skeptics wrong. "You know what? We've been free for only 15 years!" he said. "Give us a chance!"