Source: Daily_Mail
STEVEN PIENAAR'S WORLD CUP DIARY: Let's show how far we have come
I never dreamed of this moment as a child, it did not seem possible. Just to dream of being a footballer in a township like Westbury was enough then but now I dream of being the first South African to score in our own World Cup. And in South Africa we know how dreams can become reality.[LNB]We have come through a lot as a country and this World Cup means everything. We feel the weight of responsibility resting upon us but not as a burden, the people here want to embrace it warmly and put on a fantastic show.[LNB]This is probably the biggest sporting event in the world and the name of South Africa is at stake. Everyone wants to make sure the world knows it is a beautiful place full of hope. [LNB] When dreams come true: Thousands of South African's were united in their support of Bafana Bafana as they toured Johannesburg[LNB]Sport here has broken down so many barriers and we want this to continue. We have made great strides in a short space of time. Politically, economically, socially. The racial issues have not gone away but we all remember what it was like. [LNB]Few people here are unscathed from our past, from apartheid, but we are progressing. I have said I wanted to cry when I watched the film Invictus about the Rugby World Cup in 1995 because it evoked so many memories from the past. And it's true.[LNB]I was beaten up because of my colour, shot at with ball-bearings, a friend of mine was shot dead. My mother Denise told me how she was abused for walking in the wrong place. But there was a change. [LNB]We had celebrated in the streets when Nelson Mandela was elected president and he had asked the country to unite as one to support the rugby team. [LNB] Leading man: Pienaar is the stand-out talent in the South African team[LNB]I was at school at the time of the Rugby World Cup. We were packed into tents watching the final. There were a lot of white Afrikaners in my school but we were allowed to watch the games together for the first time.[LNB]It was difficult for the Afrikaners to cheer a black guy in public at that time but it happened. Madiba, as Mandela is known, made it happen and hopefully he can touch us again in the way he did with Francois Pienaar and his team.[LNB]Pride of a nation: Nelson Mandela's achievements and support are an inspiration to Pienaar and his team-mates[LNB]We met Madiba last week. He looks frail but still has a great auraabout him. It is like meeting your own father the Father of theNation. It's always a very special moment for me.[LNB]The storygoes that football played a big part in keeping up his spirits while hewas imprisoned, that it brought him and his inmates closer together inbad times. It makes the game so powerful, so symbolic for us.[LNB]This World Cup can have greater influence on changing the country than the Rugby World Cup. That put infrastructures in place. It encouraged businesses and sponsors but this can hopefully develop the country again; create jobs and provide the financial platform for people to keep them. [LNB]Yes there is crime just like any other country. There is still great poverty. But the people care and they have great resilience. [LNB]Even when I was growing up in Westbury, just outside Johannesburg, my mother always made sure we carried on life as normal. You never realised how tough it was. [LNB]You wouldn't play in the park as mum feared you had more chance of being attacked or shot by gangs so we would play for hours in the street just with stones for goalposts. If you had a new football you wouldn't go out of the yard.[LNB] Humble beginnings: Pienaar grew up in Westbury just outside Johannesburg, where his family and friends still live[LNB] But I never missed a day of school. Mum always drilled into me the importance of study and to have a strong faith in God. [LNB]I loved my football. I watched Orlando Pirates and my favourite player was Ernest Makhanya because he was very skilful and thankfully things turned out well for me.[LNB]My family and friends are still there in Westbury. They will be watching on television and this will be an incredible moment for all of us. [LNB]As a player I have been able to travel the world but I always believe I am fortunate to come from South Africa. It is the most beautiful country in the world and we want to do it proud.[LNB]Maybe we can create our own piece of history. [LNB]Steven Pienaar supports the 46664 Nelson Mandela Foundation. See www.dailymail.co.uk/sport for more details. Read more about his charity work by clicking here[LNB] PICTURE SPECIAL: All aboard the South African party busGroup A lowdown: France, Mexico, South Africa and UruguayBafana blowing own vuvuzelas as Carlos Parreira plots South Africa glory Sportsmail on Twitter: Follow regular updates from our team of writersTaking in the view of Table Mountain while waiting for the world's biggest party to startJEFF POWELL: My top 100 players who made the World Cup finals great Stadium guide - Sportsmail takes you around the grounds in South AfricaSportsmail's comprehensive fixture list for the World Cup Finals[LNB]
