The 2010 FIFA World Cup Started 5 Years Ago. South Africa Remembers the Good Times.

Soccer fans holding vuvuzelas watching the opening game of the World Cup. Photo by Marcello Casal Jr. Published by Agência Brasil under Creative Commons.

Soccer fans holding vuvuzelas watching the opening game of the World Cup. Photo by Marcello Casal Jr. Published by Agência Brasil under Creative Commons.

Five years ago on June 11, the 19th FIFA World Cup began in South Africa. It was the first time the tournament had ever taken place on African soil. Using the hashtag #2010Memories, South Africans on Twitter remembered the day Vuvuzelas took over the soccer world.

Vha Musanda shared a photo of the moment that sent South Africa into tears. It was the first goal of the tournament by South African striker Tshabalala in the match against Mexico, which ended 1-1:

The YouTube video below shows Shakira singing Waka Waka, the song for 2010 World Cup during the opening ceremony:

While everyone was crazy about the tournament, Khulekani Mathe remembers that he was crazy about something else:

Twitter user King Billy never felt so safe in the streets of Johannesburg, which is considered one of the most violent cities in the world:

Vuma Augustus said he'd never seen people so united in all his life:

Few South Africans appear to be overly distraught by the allegations that the country paid a $10-million bribe to win its World Cup bid.

Twitter user Yang and Reckless said the scandal doesn't bother him:

Other people online are event more indifferent:

Other countries, says Nkateko Baloi, are jealous of South Africa's success in 2010t:

According to Kabwe Songolo, the conduct of the South African government and FIFA shouldn't detract from the fun of the sporting event itself:

Some Internet users addressed US federal investigators, who are responsible for the recent high-profile arrests in Switzerland.

However, Charlie Langa's memories are not as positive as many South Africans on Twitter:

While Tom Moultrie wonders how much innocence South Africans have lost since the World Cup:

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