WE ARE ready. We are excited.

WE ARE ready. We are excited.

The World Cup is here and all South Africans have responded enthusiastically to being the first African hosts of this marvellous spectacle.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime showpiece indeed.

The patriotic flavour that is gripping the country is unbelievable. Fifa, Safa and the government have urged people to embrace this festival of sport.

They have done so.

But there is one outstanding issue that has not been dealt with. President Jacob Zuma has been niggardly in giving us a day off.

We all want to be part of this outpouring of joy and hope.

It is doubtful how many people will really get down to work when spirits are so high.

We all want to be part of the hug-fest.

It would have been better if the president had early on granted us a day off.

There are killjoys who say South Africa is awash with paid holidays. But the World Cup is different.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the nation. It will probably take another 100 years before it comes back to us.

We have for the past six years lived with horrible roads and traffic jams.

We have held our breath while stadium workers went on strike.

We have prayed while our detractors urged Sepp Blatter to cancel our mandate.

We have endured and now we are ready to celebrate.

Msholozi, have a heart. Give us the day off so we can boogie woogie.

The world has to see South Africa in a festive mood.