South Africa is a truly amazing place...and I won\'t EVER be convinced otherwise.

Well, since we won the bid for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, things have been changing over here.  It\'s like the whole country is gearing up, and suddenly rooting for ourselves for a change.

A year or two ago, I must admit, I was one of the majority of sceptics.  I did not think we would have EVER been able to host the 2010 and let it run smoothly, and convince the everyone that we are a world-class country.  Man, how wrong I was!  I kept saying, no matter how much I love this country, I just can\'t see it working.  We have too many issues, political, social and economical.  Furthermore I just told myself, don\'t get your hopes up, you\'ve been proven wrong before, remember TIA.  Bullshit!  I\'m sorry This Is Africa?  South Africa does not conform to the perceptions of the rest of Africa.  We are a country on our own, single, and boy, are we a force to be reckoned with!

Within a year, our crime stats have decreased.  Which is major, because it\'s unbelievably high.  Our economy has been stable, when the rest of the world economies are crumbling around us.  We haven\'t felt a thing!  Allright, maybe we had to pinch here and there, but all things considered, we are fine!  Our cities have been cleansed.  The street are cleaner, the beggers are fewer, the buildings are better, the parks are more, the whole infrastructure has been replaced. 

In Johannesburg, our entire water infrastructure is being replaces, at a cost of R500 million.  During the above mentioned economic crisis.  That\'s saying something.  Our previously non-existant public transport system has been upgraded to such an extent that even the most harsh critics are singing the praises of the Gauride.  Not to mention the Gautrain, which is under construction.  I\'ve never seen people getting so exited about the prospect of commuting!  It\'s unbelievable, when we drive along the N1, everywhere you look, things are being built and maintained.  Our communications networking has been bumped up a few notches, and for the first time, the monopoly has been broken and service delivery is up.  Our tourism industry has been entirely remodelled, and it\'s amazing to see!  Finally, the parks and conservation areas are getting the funds and support needed to really offer a prestine environment.

But, all the happenings aside, I can say with a huge smile on my face, that for the first time EVER this country is truly united.  It\'s getting harder and harder to complain, people are more satisfied, the smiles are getting broader and the hearts are getting warmer.  We are all inspired and motivated to show the world what we are made of, and in the process, we are reminding oursleves what we are capable of.

So, please, I dare anyone to say: South Africa? Pfff TIA