As the first sod was turned to start the construction of the new Green Point stadium, political leaders came together to praise the co-operation and compromises that had brought them to this point.

Mayor Helen Zille promised the "legacy of co-operation will live on", and said the event was a celebration after a long and difficult negotiating process.

Premier Ebrahim Rasool said the stadium represented "unity over division" and was "a symbol of what happens when we work together".Representatives of the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths, as well as traditional leaders, blessed the soil before the mayor and premier turned the first sod where the 68 000-seat multi-purpose stadium will be built.

In his address to the large crowd, including politicians, diplomats, residents and members of the Metropolitan Golf Course, Rasool said the sod-turning event was a "day of victory of co-operation over division" and that "all sides compromised to what is best for all".
"We never thought we'd reach today - one year ago we all stood on different ground. The African National Congress preferred Athlone, the Democratic Alliance wanted Newlands, and Green Point residents preferred anywhere else."

Rasool said Cape Town has shifted from a round-one venue to a semi-final host due to problem-solving and overcoming adversities. He added that "what the contractors will build is only the cheese in the trap" and the R2.7-billion stadium investment will result in at least R7-billion investment in public transport, R12-billion investment the Western Cape economy, and an expected R21-billion GDP boost from tourism before, during and after the World Cup.

Zille acknowledged all those who had helped drive the process to where it is, including Rasool, Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, provincial government and city officials, Investec for guaranteeing the shortfall amount, and others, such as the Green Point Coalition and Metropolitan Golf Club."We are now passing the ball to the contractors," she said."One of the main 2010 legacies will be to assign Afro-pessimism to the dustbin of history and show that Africans could get it right, professionally, on time, co-operatively, in style, and with great parties," Zille said.2010 "will open new horizons for the city, the country, and the continent," she added.

Danny Jordaan, head of the 2010 local organising committee (LOC) was in Zurich, but sent a statement saying the ceremony was "an important milestone" and signalled a huge vote of confidence in the work that has been done in Cape Town.He added that Cape Town "will form one of the central pillars of delivering a world-class event in South Africa". Rasool said the sod-turning was a "signal to FIFA, and the world, that Cape Town has the will to host 2010. The debate has closed, the fighting has ended, and we must position ourselves for the opportunities that 2010 can bring, and the legacy beyond the stadium".

Sean Flanagan, representing the Murray & Roberts/WBHO joint venture, said that "now is the time to put behind us all the frustrations and get all involved".