The opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was more than just a curtain-raiser for a football tournament. It also marked South Africa's emergence on the world stage, for all the right reasons.

With media reports depicting the country as a criminal's paradise in the run-up to the tournament, it was painfully clear that the country needed to improve its reputation and image. And what better way to do this than to host the World Cup? What better way to prove the naysayers wrong and show the world what South Africa is all about?

And we've shown the world what we are all about, with Huffington Post contributor Tom Hayes saying, "This is my first visit to Cape Town but it won't be my last. This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with some of the most beautiful and kind people I have ever met. I can't wait to get back here with my family."

When the tourists leave, it will be the memories they take with them, rather than the money spent, that will be most important. These memories, which will be shared with others, can do more for South Africa than any lavish marketing push.

Tourists aren't the only people with positive impressions of the country. Expatriates have also been making the trip back to their homeland, and what they've seen astounds them.

"Being at home in South Africa during the World Cup has reminded me what it feels like to be so very, very proud of your country. The flawless, world class organisation in the stadiums has had my jaw on the ground, the friendliness and helpfulness of every volunteer and police officer has astounded me, and more than anything the outpouring of joy, unity and celebration amongst each and every South African has made me feel so privileged to call this country home," Chrissy Dransfield told SA Good News.

In fact, the biggest news story to come out of the World Cup wasn't crime or disorganisation, but rather a musical instrument.

The vuvuzela has gone viral on the internet, being one of South Africa's greatest contributions to pop culture. The controversial instrument has become a trending topic on Twitter and has also been incorporated as a feature on YouTube.

As a result, the item is now being sold around the world, with the USA, Germany and the UK being some of the biggest customers. The vuvuzela has become such a household name (or nuisance, depending on your stance) that even organisers of unrelated sports events are moving to ban it.

The fact that a simple horn is the biggest news story speaks volumes about how successful and trouble-free the tournament has been.

The phenomenon can best be summed up by Dion Chang of Flux Trends: "One thing is for sure and that is that the vuvuzela has replaced the wooden giraffe as the tourist symbol of the country."

The web has also played its role in promoting the country, with celebrities gushing about their experience on Twitter. "South Africa rocks, this is the place to be," Akon tweeted. While supermodel Kimora Lee Simmons also expressed her sadness at having to return to the USA, saying, "I'm very sad 2 b leaving the gorgeous S.Africa!"

In an article printed by Britain's Telegraph, London mayor Boris Johnson had plenty of good to say: "The sheer number of visitors ? about half a million ? will help open the eyes of the world to South Africa and its potential for trade and investment; and get this: crime, the crime that is supposed to be one of the drawbacks of living here, is down 90 percent in central Cape Town, and there has not been a single serious incident of crime of violence in any of the fan parks.

"FIFA took an inspired decision to give the World Cup to South Africa and South Africa has responded brilliantly," Johnson concluded.

When the closing ceremony gets underway, the World Cup won't be remembered as just another chapter in the history of our country. South Africans will remember it as the day they truly discovered what it means to live in this beautiful land. And the world will remember it as the day South Africa shed its ugly duckling image.