There is more riding on this World Cup than there has been on any other World Cup in my lifetime. I firmly hope that South Africa can pull off the smooth running of this wonderful tradition. There is much that can be either achieved or lost both symbolically and tangibly by the nation as a whole depending on how this next month plays out.

Right now, South Africa could really use a boost. Her violent crime rate is astoundingly high. Her economy has grown by leaps since Apartheid but society remains polarized economically. The recent death of white supremacist Eugene Terreblache has brought race relations to the fore in a nation that is, of course, still somewhat race-obsessed after decades of systematic oppression.

Tourism is one of South Africa's big money makers. It has been on the uptick over the past several years, but crime is still a big drawback that keeps many foreigners away. Crime in addition to the continued poverty of the masses, a long train of AIDS denial by the former (elected) government and a lack of quality education have created several dysfunctional pieces in the national puzzle. A smooth World Cup with limited crime, an effective transportation infrastructure and a positive experience for the vast majority of visitors, locals and journalists would contribute to the renewal of confidence in South Africa's vision and bring in new tourist dollars (as well as foreign investment, I would imagine). In addition to increasing the confidence of foreign observers, a successful next month could renew the hope, spirits and most importantly, patience of the citizenry of South Africa, decrease the brain drain of emigrating skilled workers and buy the nation more time to lower crime, improve health care and increase standards of living.

South Africa is already a member of the G20 and the greatest power in Sub-Saharan Africa. An economically dynamic, safe, tolerant and very diverse yet happy nation at the bottom of the continent could stand as a real example to the rest of Africa. Growth and stability in South Africa-which already has more modern infrastructure in place than its neighbors-can act as a regional economic and political anchor for Southern Africa. Ideally, an upward bound South Africa would be able to emanate economic growth and would be able to step up and help neighboring countries solve their own equally serious problems. For example, Zimbabwe could certainly use some guidance and mediation from a strong democracy to the south which has also had its share of struggles with land reform and race relations. South Africa, with its comparatively greater resources and stability, could also lead the way in combating HIV and AIDS in a region that is more affected by the ravages of this epidemic than anywhere else in the world.

Everything is now in the hands of the South African authorities and the agencies around the world who they are working with to ensure that disruptions such as hooliganism, crime and terrorism are kept out of what should be a peaceful international competition. Let's all hope and pray that the World Cup can be a factor in sending South Africa decidedly onto a positive track of peaceful modernization and regional leadership. A negative World Cup experience would not necessarily spell doom to the vision of a prosperous and equitable South Africa, but it most surely wouldn't help.

In the end, it also would be helpful if South Africa's soccer team, Bafana Bafana, could eek out some competitive success in these next few weeks. Such a thing would be a positive for the morale of the nation. Also, I hope that at least one Sub-Saharan African team can make it decently far. This is Africa's first time hosting a World Cup. If the event goes smoothly with limited disruption, if Bafana Bafana can make a good run at being competitive-they could pull an "Invictus" and do better than expected. They are on their home turf after all-and if a black African team can get to the semi-finals; my money would be on the 2010 World Cup going down in history as a great positive for the Republic of South Africa and the continent as a whole.

Jordan Brown holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles

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