Pretoria - With an hour having passed since the vuvuzela moment at midday, South Africans around the country are still blowing their vuvuzelas and honking their horns showing solidarity for Bafana Bafana.
"It has finally arrived. This is the result of hard work that we have put in as a country," former Bafana Bafana player Andre Arendse said in a television interview on Wednesday.
Sandton residents formed a human chain near the Southern Sun Hotel Grayston where the national team is staying. The upmarket suburb was brought to a standstill as the spirit of unity poured onto the streets as part of the United We Shall Stand for Bafana Campaign, an initiative by Southern Sun, Primedia Broadcasting and Supersport.
The streets of Sandton were covered in a sea of gold and green as South Africans came out in support of the national team which is touring the area in an open top bus.
A banner at the top of one of Sandton building reads "Aweh Mzansi Aweh".
"I have never seen such a mood," was what former Bafana Bafana player Doctor Khumalo had to say.
The vibe was also seen on the streets of Pretoria with some workers leaning out of their office windows blowing their vuvuzela while others lined the streets of the city blowing their vuvuzelas in solidarity.
School children in minibus taxis also blew their vuvuzelas from the inside of the vehicles, while other motorists hooted. Metro Police officers also took to hooting and among the myriad of noise an ambulance kept watch at the corner of Prinsloo and Vermeulen streets. The sea of noise however did not seem to obstruct traffic much.
Speaking to Supersport from the open top bus Siphiwe Tshabalala, who marks his 50th appearance in team colours in the opening match against Mexico on Friday said: "This is a special day not only for Bafana Bafana but for South Africa."
Tshabalala also expressed thanks to the thousands of people who had come to show their support.
Team Captain Aaron Mokoena said he was shocked at the turnout of people who have come to show their support.
