This is contrary to the predictions of several people who told me that they would not be attending this year's FIFA World Cup, either professionally or as spectators, because the country is apparently "dangerous".
The terrorists, it seems, won.
This country is, undeniably, complicated but so too would you be if you shared even a sliver of its recent history.
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On my first day here I caught examples of the old and new ¬- hearing a cleaner (black) refer to the owner of a house (white) as "master".
I also sat next to two budding entrepreneurs (black) as they plotted to take over South Africa (in a good way) with their fledgling business.
And yet where there is a confidence there is also a healthy dose of cynicism.
Interviewed by the Mail and Guardian newspaper, local theatre director Tsepo wa Mamatu, gave his view of how the upcoming World Cup will affect South Africa.
"I expect the country to search her soul and wonder why, suddenly, South Africans, black and white, have decided
that they are long lost lovers,” he said. “I expect a buzz, the one you get from a soft drink – tasty at first but all sugary and tasteless a few more sips down. I expect whites to affirm that they have always known that South Africa is working.
"The biggest challenge has been selling the circus to the most average of us – how to convince millions of us that suddenly the city will be safe, just like in Europe. You mean, now I can walk bravely in downtown Jo'burg? Heck, what took so long to get it right? Ah, that our former masters can see how the post-colony has thrived since the last time they docked over here."
So, yes, there is local skepticism - and just a little resentment - that perhaps this World Cup thing is all about impressing Europeans (and the rest of the world) that Africa is, on the surface at least, not the basket case it is often made out to be.
For Europeans (and Australians) the World Cup is the maybe catalyst to catapult the country into the 21st century.
At least, for those who did make the journey here.
In other words, hey, these South Africans, they're just like us!
Let's hope not.
In the late afternoon traffic a street vendor, as in standing in the middle of the street, offered me all sorts of different South African flags to buy.
"You need some Australian ones," I joked.
"Australia?" he replied as cars screeched either side of him. "I can get you Australia. Wait here."
He disappeared , returning with a clutch of Australian flags.
That's service you don't get at home.
