HAS SA FINALLY MADE ITS MARK ON THE WORLD??

HAS SOUTH AFRICA FINALLY MADE ITS MARK ON THE WORLD??? a story i did for Ryan Seacrest Productions

Amongst the many foreign soccer supporters and people travelling to South Africa for the World Cup, Paris Hilton and Leo DiCaprio were recently added to the list of celebrities that have touched-down on SA soil.
Would anyone have considered travelling to SA if it hadn't been for the world cup?
Many people are unaware of the history and beauty of South African and stil believe that it is undeveloped like the rest of Africa, with elephants and lions roaming in their back gardens. However, hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup has provided SA with the opportunity to show the world it's true beauty, modernised cities, culture and sites of this vibrant land.
Many 'celebrities' have turned to their twitter profiles to describe how wonderful their South African experience has been.
Kimora-Lee Simmons, a former model, recently 'tweeted': "I am very sad 2 b leaving the gorgeous S.Africa! Thank u 2 all 4 ur luv and kindness! We'll b back very, very soon! Team Fabulosity SA rocks," she said.
Will.i.am, of the popualer music group Black Eyed Peas 'tweeted', "The people in south africa are kind loving and peaceful...can't believe apartheid was only 20years ago...and now the world is here...amazing."
"South Africa rocks, this is the place to be," Akon said on his Twitter profile.
"Thank You S. Africa!!" R Kelly said on his departure.

So, who is going to be the next star to visit South Africa and will they see more of South Africa than just a soccer game? Has South Africa finally made it's mark on the world??
No stranger to South africa is that of E!'s Sal Masekela, who's father is well-known in the South AFrican Music Industry. Sal has currently in SA, and posted on his twitter, "Week four in SA. Damn time flies." He is a firm supporter of South African and has made a return on a frequent basis. He recently said on his Twitter profile, "Back in Jozi. Thanks Durbs and Cape Town for the magic hospitality."
Not only has South Africa become a popular holiday destination, movie directors are looking to the shores and landmarks of South Africa to film movies and utilise what SA has to offer. Halle Berry is due to move to South Africa for a three month perios to shoot a movie from July until September.
Since the opening of the Soccer World Cup, the celebrities have been streaming in. Prince William and Prince Harry of England, Princess Takamado of Japan and Spanish Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias are representing royalty.
Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers, Reggie Bush, John Travolta, fashion moghul Kimora Lee Simmons, her husband Cameroon-born actor Dijimon Hounsou. Also adding to the list is that of Survivor Africa winner Ethan Zohn and girlfriend Jenna Morasca, US Soccer Legend Alexi Lallas, Sir David Richards, chairman of the English premier League, Ruud Gullit, Mick Jagger and Rafael Benitez have all been spotted in and around SA.
On the business front, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich have visited and Lakshmi Mittal, Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour are reported to be coming.
South African born actress, Charlize Theron is also expected to make an appearance in the up-coming weeks.
WIth a constant increse in foreign visitors, SA is bound to benefit from all the currency being spent and money being brought into the country, even though it will never match the costs that were spent in preparation for the World Cup. Through the World Cup, SA has also been able to draw a vast amount of attention to issues that Africa as well as South Africa have been facing for many years and are stil facing on a daily basis. Econometrix analyst, Tont Twine, “I think in the longer term we will see definite assistance to economic growth simply because of the global market exposure that the South African economy is enjoying at the moment.”
Joe Jonas, from the popular "Jonas Brothers", who was currently in SA, started off his travels in Maun, Botswana, Africa. "I brought some of my best friends with me to be a part of this incredible experience. We were all changed by what we saw."
He posted on his twitter, "I have seen some amazing things, met some wonderful people, tried some tasty foods, and been inches from HUGE lions. I have also experienced new cultures like I have never seen before."
The more people that have the opportunity to travel, to not only SA, but also to African countries, will hopefully be able to spread the word on what the conditions in that area are and ultimately create awareness that will save lives.
I, Kirsty du Toit, interning at Ryan Seacrest Productions believe that South Africa really needed this World Cup. We needed the attention. We needed the support. We needed people to see past all the bad things that are constantly expressed on television. Before the World Cup began, SA was dealing with many internal problems that were creating rifts amongst people and bad energy, but the World Cup changed all that.
The meaning behind the Soccer World Cup was that of bringing people together and I believe that by displaying all that SA has to offer, as well as the fact that a country with multiple races, 11 languages, and different beliefs can come together and support an event, despite all the hardships dealt with in the past.
SA is showing the world what it means to be truly 'UNITED', a lesson that we can all be reminded of.
Kerryn Du Toit, a student in South Africa, explains to us what this World Cup has done for her, "It's putting South Africa on the world map, we always jus get generalised as Africa and people do not know the true meaning and beauty of this country! This event has brought many people here from all corners of the world and they finally get to see what we see : The beloved country, we call SA. It's shown me that even though there are rifts between cultures, with this one event, the World Cup has brought everyone together and everyone has been proud to stand tall and together to support our country."
Jabu Mzimela, of South Africa, tells us that South Africa hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup has "given me something to aspire towards"
Michelle Fourie, an air-hostess in South Africa explains, "That as a country that has a past can strive forword for a beautiful and united future."
In the words of Muhammed Minty, a South African Student, "Ubuntu", which is a Nguni word which has no direct translation into English, but is used to describe a particular African worldview in which people can only find fulfilment through interacting with other people. Thus is represents a spirit of kinship across both race and creed which united mankind to a common purpose.
Clayton Papenfus, a 22-year old South AFrican shares with us, "It has opened my eyes to the true beauty of the South African people and has shown me that in spite of the nonsense politicians will have us believe, we are united in our love for our country."
South Africa has definitely made it's mark during 2010 and used this opportunity to the fullest. SA has even come up with their own "soccer dance" for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, The "Diski Dance" which has been used around schools and universities and taught to children, adults and the elderly all over the country.
But the big question is will people continue to flock to SA once the World Cup is over?
With all the positive reviews and outcomes from the world cup.... I certainly hope so. People will certainly be missing out on an incredible place and incredible experiences if they do not.