THE 2010 World Cup has changed the face of South Africa and the country will never be the same after the world spectacular that ended last night.

THE 2010 World Cup has changed the face of South Africa and the country will never be the same after the world spectacular that ended last night.

This was the view of Local Organising Committee chairperson Irvin Khoza, who said he had never witnessed an event in South Africa that has succeeded in bringing all the citizens of the country under one umbrella like the 2010 World Cup did.

He said it is good to hear many South Africans saying great things about "our Bafana Bafana" and no longer "your team", as was the case before the World Cup.

"This World Cup has defied the odds and defeated the doom and gloom that is born out of perpetuating of stereotypes rather than reality on the country," Khoza said.

"It has confirmed to the world that Africa was unfairly excluded in the mix of venues for hosting premier international events that brings prestige to nations hosting them."

Khoza, who has commended South Africans for a job well done, said the World Cup was a good platform to educate people across the globe about the Mother Continent.

"The World Cup has indeed gone a long way in levelling the playing fields. In South Africa, specifically, it has helped bridge the divide that was created by years of segregation and repression. It has achieved a unity of purpose and patriotism never witnessed before in our beloved country."