The world cup brought so much hope and togetherness to this country. Nelson Mandela was correct when he, as per the movie invictus, said that sports would bring people together and focused much on the 95 rugby world cup in uniting the country. The 180 000 strong crowd of diverse people that united in Sandton for the bafana parade, could not have been envisaged 15 years ago. It was beautiful to be a part of it and to say "I was there".
One thing that's special about our country, is the way we love and support our sportsmen no matter what. We always knew our soccer team wasn't the greatest in the world, but we stood behind them nonetheless and cheered heartily for them. Then, when they were kicked out, we were unhappy, but we got behind another team and continued attending matches and supporting the football. And we still love our bafana and we are proud of them for what they managed to achieve.
Normally, Fifa has to worry when the host team gets kicked out, but the morale in South Africa never dropped. I read an article by a lady from the U.S. who said that South Africa has taught her about the true meaning of 'ubuntu'. We welcome and accept anyone from any country and are genuinely interested in them as people. Countries like the U.S., on the other hand, are too focused on themselves and think of all other countries as outsiders. For all the xenophobia we've been accused of and the international media has harped upon, I think we truly are welcoming people and we really used the world cup as an opportunity to show the world first hand what we are. Also we got to show them that we don't wear animal skins and lions don't walk in the streets.
I'm so proud of us and of the world cup.
And we have a super awesome unique flag. Yes it's quite a bit similar to the flag of Vanuatu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Vanuatu) but it's still way more creativethan 3 horizontal or 3 vertical stripes and if anything, it's an improvement on the vanuatu one.
Here's to South Africa and it's uniqueness and it's freedom and just all round awesomeness :)
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3 comments:
It really was a once in a life time experience. Now that the world cup is over, do you drive through Sandton and get a feeling of melancholy? Has the post WC depression set in yet? After watching the final, we drove home from Melrose Arch and I remember thinking that it was kind of like breaking up with someone. A euphoria you've gotten so used to is suddenly snatched away and you're left with... reality.
I feel like we're still bathing in after-glow in a way, though. Did you hear there was a protest in the UK and people brought vuvuzelas to meet up and blow together? We've made our mark; that much we can say.
Awesome post.
It really was a once in a life time experience. Now that the world cup is over, do you drive through Sandton and get a feeling of melancholy? Has the post WC depression set in yet? After watching the final, we drove home from Melrose Arch and I remember thinking that it was kind of like breaking up with someone. A euphoria you've gotten so used to is suddenly snatched away and you're left with... reality.
I feel like we're still bathing in after-glow in a way, though. Did you hear there was a protest in the UK and people brought vuvuzelas to meet up and blow together? We've made our mark; that much we can say.
Awesome post.
nope, i'm not depressed at all :)
It was a good experience and it's added to the things i've experience in my life
something to tell the grandkids about.
yes I am happy about the vuvu spreading all over the world and people noticing our country for something positive.
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