A thousand heartbeats from across the Waterberg are bound to pump in unison by 2.30 pm today, Friday 11 June, as soccer followers converge on the Lephalale public viewing area and other hot spots for the all-important World Cup fixture between Bafana Bafana and Mexico.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup kick-off is the culmination of sleepless nights by the likes of former President Nelson Mandela, to bring the spectacle to the African continent. The action on the giant screens in Lephalale and elsewhere is but a part of the bigger picture, which calculates into potential benefits for the widest pool of South Africans.

The question each and every citizen must still be asking him or herself is: what’s in it for me?

Economists from across the spectrum generally agree that the World Cup has attracted upwards of 350 000 foreigners to South Africa. A contingent of these visitors were scheduled to set up camp in Limpopo.

The rippling effect here is that those employed by these lodges have the real benefit of being roped in to work overtime, if not advised to bring along extra hands from family and friends to respond to the needs of the visitors.

Some economists suggest the greater benefit for the country is when these visitors are treated well, and return home to recommend the Waterberg as a world-class destination to others back home.

No amount of marketing beats word-of-mouth! As for South Africa’s soccer players stepping onto the pitch at Soccer City for the opening match against Mexico.

Their minds shall be occupied by a number of scenarios ahead of this crucial fixture. Above all these scenarios will be the resolve to do a nation proud.

President Jacob Zuma has observed that the euphoria over the World Cup is comparable only to Mandela’s release from the high walls of Polsmoor Prison all those 15 years ago. The SA Football Association and its sponsors have thrown everything possible into motivating captain Aaron Mokoena and his troops.

It was reported the players would each earn R120 000 for a win during the tournament, R60 000 for a draw and nothing for a loss.

But the biggest prize for all of us is to make the visitors happy so that they may return, and encourage a lot more others to do so.

— Johnny Masilela, Limpopo Beat