South Africa: Celebrating First Gold Medal in 8 Years · Global Voices
Ismail Dhorat

This is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics.
Congratulations have been pouring in for South African swimmer Cameron van der Burgh who picked up South Africa's first gold Medal after the country's dismal failures at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won the gold medal on Sunday after winning the 100m breaststroke with a world-record time of 58.46 seconds. He is also South Africa's first male swimming Olympic gold medalist. This has resulted in him being nicknamed ‘Golden Boy’ and trending on Twitter.
Voice of the Cape FM covers his victory:
There was joy around South Africa on Sunday evening when swimmer Cameron van der Burgh won the country's first medal at the 2012 London Olympics, taking not only the final of the 100m breaststroke, but also set a new world record.
Cameron took to Twitter to express his joy:
@Cameronvdburgh: I am an Olympic Champion! :) humbled by your tweets. Overwhelmed Emotions! As I'd all my life had been but http://instagr.am/p/Nsg12grbC3/
I am an Olympic Champion! Image courtesy of @Cameronvdburgh
Most newspapers in South Africa led with this story as the headline:
Reactions from South African blogosphere:
Jason Von Berg describes the time he worked with him:
I’ve had the privilege of meeting Cameron and working with him on a few projects in his capacity as an Audi ambassador and let me tell you he is one of the nicest guys around. So seeing him take Olympic glory last night just makes this all the better. WELL DONE Cammy the Fish!
HURRICANEVANESSA felt posts a picture of Cameron:
We talent spotted Mr Cameron van der Burgh, early. Here, he is Gold Medal Naked for Marie Claire's Naked Issue 2011.
It was in aid of helping poor little stray dogs, peeps.
Reactions from South Africa Twittersphere:
@PebblesProject: @Cameronvdburgh You are our hero. The whole country is proud of you.
@swanniem: @Cameronvdburgh u made us so proud last night and gold is your colour
@verashni: I'd just like to point out that Cameron van der Burgh is from Pretoria. That's right, my home city. The one other SAcans always laugh at…
@Abramjee: Well done Cameron Van Der Burgh. You have done SA proud. First medal for us! We win Gold. @Team_SA_2012 @OlympicsSA @lead_sa @rykneethling
@djcleo1: SOUTH AFRICA has scored a gold medal at the OLYMPICS CAMERON VAN DER BURGH and set a new World record #ProudSouthAfrican
This is part of our special coverage London 2012 Olympics.