There are moments in history that become more valuable with time.
For South Africans, the 2010 FIFA World Cup is undoubtedly one of them.
Sixteen years later, the memories remain as vivid as ever—the sound of millions of vuvuzelas, streets awash with every colour imaginable, complete strangers becoming lifelong friends, and a nation united in a way few of us had ever experienced before.
For me, those memories are even more personal.
In 2010, I had the incredible privilege of travelling across South Africa on behalf of 947, in partnership with Sony Ericsson, documenting the FIFA World Cup from a perspective that television broadcasters couldn’t capture: the fans.
Instead of focusing on what happened inside the stadiums, I focused on everything happening outside them.
The celebrations.
The cultures.
The conversations.
The friendships.
The spontaneous moments that only happen when the entire world gathers in one country.
Every photograph, interview and video you see throughout this series was captured using what was then Sony Ericsson’s latest mobile phone technology. Today, recording high-quality video on a smartphone is something we take for granted. In 2010, however, this represented one of the earliest examples of mobile-first storytelling—a concept that has since become the backbone of modern content creation.
Looking back now, it’s fascinating to realise just how ahead of its time the project really was.
A Journey Through Nine Host Cities
Over several weeks I travelled to each of South Africa’s World Cup host cities, experiencing the tournament through the eyes of local supporters and international visitors alike.
The journey included:
- Cape Town
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Hatfield
- Nelspruit (Mbombela)
- Durban
- Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha)
- Bloemfontein
- Polokwane
- Rustenburg
Every destination had its own personality.
Cape Town delivered breathtaking scenery and supporters from every corner of the globe.
Gauteng became the beating heart of the opening ceremony and the unforgettable South Africa versus Mexico opener, where Siphiwe Tshabalala’s legendary goal united an entire nation.
Durban blended football with beaches, sunshine and one of the tournament’s most iconic stadiums.
Nelspruit introduced visitors to the beauty of Mpumalanga and the unique atmosphere surrounding Mbombela Stadium.
Port Elizabeth welcomed the world with coastal hospitality and unforgettable football celebrations.
Everywhere I travelled, one thing remained constant.
People.
Football became the universal language.
Regardless of nationality, language or background, everyone celebrated together.
More Than Football
As I revisit this footage today, I realise this series isn’t really about football anymore.
It’s about South Africa. It’s about remembering who we were during one extraordinary month. It’s about documenting a cultural moment that transformed our international image forever.
Many of the people featured in these videos have probably never seen themselves on camera since 2010. Some of the places have changed dramatically. Others remain exactly as they were. Together, these videos have become something I never originally intended them to be—a digital time capsule.
Watch the Series
Below you’ll find each episode from my journey across South Africa
Episode 1
Gauteng — Johannesburg, Pretoria, Hatfield & Centurion
Episode 2
Nelspruit, Durban & Port Elizabeth
Episode 3
Cape Town
Preserving South African Media History
When I first captured these moments, I never imagined people would still be watching them over a decade later.
Yet here we are.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup wasn’t simply a sporting event.
It became one of the defining chapters in modern South African history.
If these videos help someone remember where they were, who they were with or what they felt during that unforgettable winter, then this project has achieved something far greater than I ever imagined.
Thanks for joining me on the journey.
