I am not going to give my opinion on the actual sport, as other than now understanding the "off-sides" rule, knowing a little more about which flag belongs to which country, and who has the best looking team (Spain) - I still dont have nearly enough knowledge to make any comment or judgement on players skills.
Being the adamantly patriotic gal I am, I stuck to supporting only African teams for as long as I could, and then traded my allegiance daily as the rest of South Africa tended to do. I hear that this team swapping phenomenon amazed the British. But then again, we're into loving our neighbours. (Ouch!)
There were so many reasons for South Africa to hold her head as high as she possibly could when it came to the planning and running of this super large scale event. Especially when you think about all the doubts many locals (sis on you) and foreigners had of our capabilities, infrastructure, and processes.
As for me - my absolutely, totally most proud moment of the entire experience was the day every host citizen became Ghanaian to support our fellow Africans into their Round 16 game. The dedication, love and support that Team Ghana received...THAT's Ubuntu baby! Everyone felt it, and it is something that should be practiced and celebrated daily!
Here is Zapiro's portrayal of how the game (sadly) panned out:
Despite all the goals, the "stop, drop and roll"s, the vuvuzelas, and every detail that made the World Cup the spectacular event that it was, my favorite moment actually had very little to do with soccer.
There was more honesty and more charisma in what one man had to say than in any other report during all 64 matches. I dont think anyone was more blown away by the magnificence of everything Soccer City is, and represents, than our very own Archbishop!
The speech that Desmond Tutu made on the night of the Celebration concert was my highlight of the entire month! I am sorry to say that I dont think Madiba himself could have made it more entertaining. Tutu dressed up, he might (or might not) have had too many Red Bulls during the day, but regardless, he and his rainbow nation were in Dreamland...and you couldn't hold this dreamer down!
He had some classic statements that were so unexpected/random that they have even been incorporated into a song! Here are my two favorite comments:
"I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming. It's so beautiful - wake me up!"
"We want to say to the world: 'Thank you for helping this ugly, ugly worm, or caterpillar which we were, to become a beautiful, beautiful butterfly"
Sadly, our religious leader has decided to call it quits to public appearances. Just as he was getting entertaining, 'someone' suggests that it's time to hang up his mauve outfits and sip Rooibos at home while watching the soaps. Oh well, at least he got to experience the Africa he had always dreamed of, and fought so hard for.
Thanks for the laughs, Des!
"Africa is the cradle of humanity so we welcome you all, every single one of you. We are all Africans" Desmond Tutu
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