As the memories of the FIFA Soccer World 2010 begin to fade I have to look back with immense pride, as a South African, at the remarkable mark the World Cup has left with the rest of the world. We did it as a nation by grasping the opportunity to show casing our amazing country in all dimensions. This did not happen because of the soccer matches the superstars, country leaders and celebrities that visited our country but because of the rhythm, unity, unbreakable spirit shown by the awe-inspiring citizens of our country.
It was impossible for all South Africans not to get swept up with the wave of positivity that swept through our country like a tidal wave and I was no exception. With all the flags flying on the cars, office buildings and private homes whatever our back ground, race, religion or culture our nation were united as one.
The day of the opening match I gathered with my friends in Cape Town. I was wearing my soccer shirt, of course, my cheeks were painted with the South African flag, and I had my South African flag to wave enthusiastically and of course my vuvuzela, which I could not blow at all. I made my way to Sea Point. I watched the opening concert which was fantastic and then settled down to watch my first soccer match. To be part of that evening and to be side by side with people of all walks of life was truly a life changing experience. I found myself smiling and dancing with complete strangers that I would normally shy away from. It was incredible. I was hooked liked every soccer fan in the world and every South African and being South African had a new meaning for me.
I went home to Howick in KZN and was treated by my parents to a ticket to watch the match at the Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban. The match was between the Netherlands and Slovakia. What a remarkable experience and the feeling I had sitting in the magnificent Stadium is hard to describe. I was extremely lucky to watch the closing concert and the World Cup Final at the Durban Fan Park. Again the evening was electric and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
The world cup has come and gone and although I still do not know how to blow the vuvuzela very well I cannot ignore this optimistic feeling that I have been left with. It is a new knowing of what we are capable of as a nation, despite the problems we face in this country I have been left with the perception that if we really want to achieve success at something we can.
My final wish is that each and every south African realise that it their responsible to maintain this new born feeling to keep this amazing flag flying so we can face the future with only success as a nation as an option with one thing in common, being proud to be South African.
The day of the opening match I gathered with my friends in Cape Town. I was wearing my soccer shirt, of course, my cheeks were painted with the South African flag, and I had my South African flag to wave enthusiastically and of course my vuvuzela, which I could not blow at all. I made my way to Sea Point. I watched the opening concert which was fantastic and then settled down to watch my first soccer match. To be part of that evening and to be side by side with people of all walks of life was truly a life changing experience. I found myself smiling and dancing with complete strangers that I would normally shy away from. It was incredible. I was hooked liked every soccer fan in the world and every South African and being South African had a new meaning for me.
I went home to Howick in KZN and was treated by my parents to a ticket to watch the match at the Moses Mabida Stadium in Durban. The match was between the Netherlands and Slovakia. What a remarkable experience and the feeling I had sitting in the magnificent Stadium is hard to describe. I was extremely lucky to watch the closing concert and the World Cup Final at the Durban Fan Park. Again the evening was electric and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
The world cup has come and gone and although I still do not know how to blow the vuvuzela very well I cannot ignore this optimistic feeling that I have been left with. It is a new knowing of what we are capable of as a nation, despite the problems we face in this country I have been left with the perception that if we really want to achieve success at something we can.
My final wish is that each and every south African realise that it their responsible to maintain this new born feeling to keep this amazing flag flying so we can face the future with only success as a nation as an option with one thing in common, being proud to be South African.
