The former South African president said Africa must therefore proceed from the 2010 playing fields to claim the 21st century and liberate itself from the accumulated weight of centuries of the denial of human dignity.

Acknowledging Mbeki's contribution, Business Day newspaper in Johannesburg said in its editorial opinion on Monday "The fact is that it was the former president's vision of an African renaissance, with South Africa leading the charge to prove to the rest of the world that the continent was not destined to disappoint in perpetuity, that resulted in us persisting in our bid to host the tournament."

The theme was also mentioned by the Citizen newspaper in Johannesburg which said Mbeki's vision of an African renaissance had undoubtedly helped drive the successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"Now we know he was correct in that assessment of South Africa's ability to stage the greatest show on earth." the newspaper said.

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