Nelson Mandela greeted fans before the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands in Johannesburg. There was much doubt whether Mr Mandela was going to attend the closing ceremony of the month long event.

The final game was full of highlights as both Spain and the Netherlands played a strong game and neither giving the other side a gap. After 90 minutes the score was still 0-0 and the match went into over time. During the final minutes of the game Spain found a gap in the opposing defense and scored the winning goal of the game thus taking the World Cup back home.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball award as best player at the soccer World Cup after helping his team to reach the semifinals in South Africa.

The Atletico Madrid player got 23.4 percent of the votes from accredited media at the tournament to take the accolade ahead of Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, and Spain’s David Villa.

Germany’s Thomas Mueller won the Golden Boot as top scorer after finishing tied on 5 goals with Spain’s Villa, Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands and Forlan. Mueller took the prize because he had three assists, compared to one each for the other candidates.

The FIFA Soccer World Cup final will end this coming Sunday much as it started with Shakira performing her hit “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”. The 30-minute closing ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. local time at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium and be broadcast live to an estimated global audience of 500 million people. The big question everyone is asking is will Nelson Mandela be there?

Mandela, who turns 92 on July 18, will possibly attend the final game and present the World Cup trophy to the victors. The question now is who will win between the Netherlands and Spain?

Spain and the Netherlands will kick off in an all-European final. It will be the first time that either of these countries will have one the World Cup. The Netherlands has reached the final twice without hoisting the trophy, in 1974 and 1978. Spain, the reigning European champion, is making its first appearance in the final. We wish both of them good luck.

The funeral of Nelson Mandela’s 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, is being held today in Johannesburg.

Zenani Mandela was returning from the World Cup opening concert at the time of her death. Police say the close family friend who was driving the vehicle could be charged with drunk driving and homicide.

Mandela did not attend the World Cup opening ceremony and first game because he was mourning Zenani’s death.

The funeral will be held in the chapel of the Johannesburg private school that Zenani had attended. She was a member of the school’s choir, marimba club and drum corps, and had hopes of becoming a plastic surgeon one day.

A great-grandchild of Nelson Mandela died early this morning while returning from the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament’s kick-off concert.

Zenani Mandela, 13, was in a car returning from the show at Orlando Stadium in Soweto when the wreck occurred, said a spokesman for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. No other vehicle was involved in the wreck.

This will be a sad and joyous day for Mr Mandela who will be coming to tonights opening match for a few minutes.

Zenani was one of Mandela’s nine great-grandchildren, and turned 13 on Wednesday.

On the 11th of June a Nation will stand united celebrating a dream come true at the official Opening of the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup. However amongst us will be an emptiness morning the death of our greatest tenor Siphiwo Ntsehebe.

Ntsehbe was due to lead the opening anthem with his song called Hope with words of former South African President and world icon Mr Nelson Mandela.The Tenor already recorder the song before he fell critically ill with bacterial meningitis.

The singer passed away in a hospital in Port Elizabeth, his home town. Millions of spectators will have the opportunity to hear the song at the launch of the games. This song will not only touch the heart of all South Africans united, but will also touch the world. For the lyrics of the Hope song touch ones heart and give you a new perspective on life itself.

Your prayer sounds more beautiful than your name

you bring the voice of hope to me again

and when you rise to find your dream

I will be your wings

see your journey through.

When you find peace in your heart

When we are one beneath the stars

When your spirit wonders on the wind

I’m your sanctuary

In your soul you’ll come

Spread thou word indeed.

You’ll need hope

There is always hope

when you have a dream ……..
Nelson Mandela

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says former president Nelson Mandela played a massive role in their win over Denmark in Atteridgeville on Saturday.

The South Africans beat the Danes 1-0 courtesy of Katlego Mphela’s second-half strike to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games, and Parreira says ‘Madiba Magic’ did the trick again after he met the team on Thursday.

“He didn’t make any speech, but his presence is so inspiring for the team and the country. It was so emotional to see him there and everyone was so happy. I’m sure it helps the team a lot when we play,” Parreira says.

Meanwhile, the 67-year-old has also rejected criticism of the Jabulani match-ball. Many high-profile players have slammed the 2010 ball, saying it behaves erratically, but Parreira says they have had no problems with it.

“My players have been training with it for the past three months and are not complaining,” he says.

A South African opera singer, dubbed ‘Black Pavarotti’ and chosen by Nelson Mandela to sing at next month’s World Cup opening ceremony has died at age 34 of meningitis, his record label said.

Epic Records said that Siphiwo Ntshebe was preparing for rehearsals when he contracted meningitis last week and was admitted to a hospital in Port Elizabeth. He died on Tuesday.

Ntshebe, who studied at London’s Royal College of Music between 2004 and 2007, was due to perform his new track ‘Hope’ at the opening ceremony in Johannesburg on June 11.

“Ntshebe’s death was a tragedy for all those who believe in the power of music,” BBC quoted Nick Raphael, Epic boss, as saying.

“He had a truly wondrous voice and his music was unique in its melodies and its messages of hope and compassion,” he added.

Earlier, Mandela had previously praised him as “a young South African with so much talent that has, despite challenges of the past, chosen to work hard at a better future”.

Nelson Mandela has chosen a tune written by two British songwriters as World Cup anthem.

Rock legend Russ Ballard, lead singer and guitarist of Argent, and solo artist Chris Winter are the names behind the song Hope which will open the World Cup competition on June 11, the Daily Express reports.pera star Siphiwo Ntshebe, 34, who grew up in a shack in Port Elizabeth, will perform the song, which incorporates classical strings, a full choir and African drums.

Mandela, 91, has pre-recorded a spoken segment but it is hoped he will be able to perform live.

“Three billion viewers is a pretty good advert for any musician,” a delighted Ballard, 64, told the Daily Express.

“I think I will shed a tear if Mr. Mandela is strong enough to make it in person. It’s a great honour and his spoken contribution to the song is very impressive and uplifting,” he added.

Hope is released as a single on June 6 and is the title track of Siphiwo’s debut album, also titled Hope, to be released by Epic Records on June 14.

Nelson Mandela is a man that used all the principles of the Law of Attraction long before Rhonda Byrne gave us “The Secret”.  Should Bob Proctor, Joe Vitale and Dr John Demartini not be interviewing Mr Mandela?

Nelson Mandela world leader and historical icon to the world has changed the lives of millions of people, because he had a dream. A dream that he believed so strongly and passionately, that it became his greatest reality. A man that proved that the Law of Attraction really does exist and by knowing it and using it in your life, you can also turn your dreams into a reality no matter how big or small it might be. Does this not sound like a man that knows “The Secret”?

The Law of Attraction
Search anywhere today and you will find that The Secret is the Law of Attraction.  Quite simply put anything we put our minds, thoughts and feelings on will be attracted to us.

When we go through rough times do we not often give up in despair? Sometimes we think that there is no end in sight to our problems and according to the Law of Attraction as long as we think that there isn’t there won’t be.

There are several techniques you can learn to change your thought process and start seeing amazing results in your life. It doesn’t matter what your problems – money, relationship, self esteem, work issues or health. You can change the outcomes and circumstance of your life.  Look at Mr Mandela he could have given up and passed away in prison but instead he implemented the Law of Attraction and changed his outcome. He then became the President of his country.

Nelson Mandela’s Background
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Eunuch near Umtata in the Transkei, a small country in Southern Africa. He was the son of Henry Mgadla Mandela, chief councilor to Thembulands acting paramount chief. Mandela became chief’s ward and was groomed for the chieftain ship after his father passed away.

Mr Mandela matriculated from the Healdtown Methodist Boarding School. He always had a passion to become a lawyer and play a prominent role in the struggle for freedom. He started studying a BA degree at Fort Hare, and was elected as a Student Representative Council member.  While here he participated in a strike and got suspended from the university. He left for Johannesburg where he complete his degree via correspondence. He did his articles for clerkship and enrolled for a law degree at the University of the Witwatersrand.

The Start of the Struggle for the ANC
He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and help found the ANC Youth League, whose Programme of Action was adopted by the ANC in 1949. In 1952 he was elected as National Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign, organizing resistance to the discriminating legislation of South Africa at that stage.

Nelson Mandela is jailed
In 1960 the ANC was banned after the Sharpville massacre and Mandela was detained until 1961, when he went underground to lead a campaign for a new national convention. He left for Algeria where he received military training in 1962. On his return he was arrested for leaving the country illegally and for incitement to the strike. He was convicted and jailed for 5 years. While serving his sentence he was charged in the Rivonia trail for sabotage, he was found guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. But despite this he never lost sigh of his dream. He became a inspiration for other prisoners

Mandela has spoken out against the introduction of Bantu education. Robben Island where he served his sentence became a learning center and Mandela was a central figure in the political education classes . He was passionate about his dreams and his goals never allowing anything to get between him and his believes.

Nelson Mandela is released from prison after 27 years
On Sunday the 11 February 1990 Mr Nelson Mandela was release from prison. He is not just a great man who had a dream to free his people, but he is also an inspiration to many. He is a humble, honorable man, and living proof that if you truly believe, any dream can become a reality.