Mandela appears at Soccer City as South Africa bids farewell to World Cup

Mandela appears at Soccer City before final

JOHANNESBURG — Nelson Mandela waved to the crowd at Soccer City as South Africa bid farewell to the 2010 World Cup in emotional and joyous ceremony.

The anti-apartheid icon had kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, having decided against attending the opening game following the death of his great-grand daughter in a traffic accident after World Cup concert.

Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside wife, Graca Machel, a smiling, 91-year-old Mandela was welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzelas and roars from the crowd. He shook hands with officials before leaving the field a few minutes later.

Earlier, Shakira performed “Waka Waka” (”This Time for Africa”,) the competition’s official song.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela waved to the crowd at Soccer City as South Africa bid farewell to the 2010 World Cup in emotional and joyous ceremony.

The anti-apartheid icon had kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, having decided against attending the opening game following the death of his great-grand daughter in a traffic accident after World Cup concert.

Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside wife, Grace Machel, a smiling, 91-year-old Mandela was welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzelas and roars from the crowd. He shook hands with officials before leaving the field a few minutes later.

Earlier, Shakira performed “Waka Waka” (”This Time for Africa”,) the competition’s official song.