The vuvuzela really must be annoying. Comedian Trevor Noah described it on Twitter as being "obnoxious" and "loud" - going as far as likening it to wayward ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.
There have been resounding calls to have it banned from World Cup matches. Popular goal-netters like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi have expressed displeasure at the metre-long instrument South Africans love so much. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has (thankfuly) somewhat expressed support for the vuvuzela, also through Twitter.
Teams have blasted the 'plastic trumpet' - claiming that it hampers their communication on the field. Some audiologists have said that the vuvuzela has the potential to cause permanent hearing loss over time.
Self-appointed critics of the vuvuzela need to respect the fact that this is South Africa, and when soccer is concerned, the vuvuzela is culture. Blowing it is the country's signature celebration.
Let's face it, the vast majority of those too quick to criticise and judge the vuvuzela have never even blown one. Their lips, it seems, open to criticise them - not to examine them. They are so narrow minded that they deprive themselves of the infectious and joyous blowing locals are so fond of. Ai, deal with it.
Showing posts with label world cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world cup. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Today I envied South Africa
Writer's block was hellbent on having its way with me, but I decided to publish this either way:
Today I envied South Africa
I witnessed her enthused children honor her in earnest. They unashamedly blasted their plastic trumpets – vuvuzelas as they passionately label them.
Many others preferred silence. Nevertheless, they were beaming with unprecedented pride and joy. Adoring crowds within her offspring received the rest of the world for their winter stay down south.
The world's greatest stars had landed, there to illustrate their ball tricks on her groomed grounds.
Her own representatives donned gold and green. Their recent wins had indisputably captured the support of their inconsistent country.
I observed that swollen lips were really no stranger to her many children. A handful of whom you would incorrectly assume blew vuvuzelas for a living. Dusk, dawn and in between, vuvuzelas sounded. In all areas – rural, remote, urban, and wealthy – they still sounded.
Her children's minds were palpably stuck on a winning atmosphere, as euphoria clung to the roof of their mouths. Their waving flags shook critics who doubted her capability. She exceeded expectations and stood tall against disapproval; momentarily deafening pesky pessimists.
Her children had breathed new meaning to the word ‘patriotism'. The Soccer World Cup had arrived in South Africa, and they said they were ‘feeling it'. While I, the rest of the world, watched and envied South Africa.
Today I envied South Africa
I witnessed her enthused children honor her in earnest. They unashamedly blasted their plastic trumpets – vuvuzelas as they passionately label them.
Many others preferred silence. Nevertheless, they were beaming with unprecedented pride and joy. Adoring crowds within her offspring received the rest of the world for their winter stay down south.
The world's greatest stars had landed, there to illustrate their ball tricks on her groomed grounds.
Her own representatives donned gold and green. Their recent wins had indisputably captured the support of their inconsistent country.
I observed that swollen lips were really no stranger to her many children. A handful of whom you would incorrectly assume blew vuvuzelas for a living. Dusk, dawn and in between, vuvuzelas sounded. In all areas – rural, remote, urban, and wealthy – they still sounded.
Her children's minds were palpably stuck on a winning atmosphere, as euphoria clung to the roof of their mouths. Their waving flags shook critics who doubted her capability. She exceeded expectations and stood tall against disapproval; momentarily deafening pesky pessimists.
Her children had breathed new meaning to the word ‘patriotism'. The Soccer World Cup had arrived in South Africa, and they said they were ‘feeling it'. While I, the rest of the world, watched and envied South Africa.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Why the chaos?
Is it South Africa's seemingly last-minute culture to blame for the chaos portrayed at queues on the first day as the final ticketing phase for the World Cup began? I don’t quite believe so!
It is known that police had to spray pepper spray to calm rowdy crowds who were pushing and shoving at the ticketing center at the Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria.
In Cape Town, it was also reported that a man died of an apparent seizure while waiting to buy his ticket.
It seems to me that locals were all along keen on purchasing tickets. Perhaps infrastructural challenges and complicated systems were to blame for the less than satisfactory sale of tickets in the country - considering that we are a first-time host nation.
Tickets are moving at a speedily rate, regardless of the glitch suffered at centres yesterday. After all, some 80,000 tickets were sold yesterday, with Cape Town reaching sold out status on the first day that tickets were being sold for cash over the counters. That is a milestone - a great achievement. Buying over the counter is so much more simple and inviting.
Soccer fans are even camping overnight with their blankets and reading material, just so they don't miss their favourite teams tackle one another on the field.
Imagine how many tickets would have left the shelves, had we been able to buy tickets over the counter all along.
It is known that police had to spray pepper spray to calm rowdy crowds who were pushing and shoving at the ticketing center at the Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria.
In Cape Town, it was also reported that a man died of an apparent seizure while waiting to buy his ticket.
It seems to me that locals were all along keen on purchasing tickets. Perhaps infrastructural challenges and complicated systems were to blame for the less than satisfactory sale of tickets in the country - considering that we are a first-time host nation.
Tickets are moving at a speedily rate, regardless of the glitch suffered at centres yesterday. After all, some 80,000 tickets were sold yesterday, with Cape Town reaching sold out status on the first day that tickets were being sold for cash over the counters. That is a milestone - a great achievement. Buying over the counter is so much more simple and inviting.
Soccer fans are even camping overnight with their blankets and reading material, just so they don't miss their favourite teams tackle one another on the field.
Imagine how many tickets would have left the shelves, had we been able to buy tickets over the counter all along.
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