Pretoria, South Africa, Jun 13, 2010 / 10:05 am
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, the Archbishop of Durban, has asked South Africa to welcome and learn from the world during the World Cup. Speaking on behalf of the country’s Catholic bishops, he extended his prayers and best wishes to the South African Football team Bafana and hoped they would “dispel all the past negativity.”
The cardinal said that the country is holding its collective breath for the team. “We want you to be the best,” his June 11 statement said. “We know that you will surprise us all.”
“Halala (‘Good luck’) Bafana!” he exclaimed.
The most important participants in the World Cup, he added, are the people of South Africa.