As we all get into a frenzy about Russia 2018, my own memories travelled back to South Africa 2010.
In an attempt to offer a different narrative regarding the present tournament in the Russian cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, I asked a colleague to revisit her own memories and images of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
At the time Die Pos/The Post editor Keina Swart related to me how her son, Daneel (then aged six), kicked up a storm at a local retail store, pressing on the parents to buy the noisy vuvuzela.
Her husband, Niel, had to scratch his head and come up with creative ideas as to how to or not buy the loud wind instrument, especially for kids who had no clue what noise was all about.
Niel struck a shop-floor deal with the youngster, to the effect that him and other visiting kids, could only blow the vuvuzela each time Bafana Bafana scored.
The Swart’s had hosted a couple of friends for the opening pomp and ceremony, culminating in the first match-up between Bafana Bafana and Mexico.
It was in the first stanza that playmaker, Simphiwe Tshablala, broke into a run on the left flank, receiving a pinpoint pass, and then converting this into a sublime goal.
Niel and Keina’s eardrums are still haunted by the loud sound of the vuvuzela from the kids, so to speak.
We have tried to improvise on this touching human interest story, because there was a time when Afrikaners were supposedly passionate about the game of rugby, over any other sporting code.
Our pre-publication conference last week was characterised by blushes all-round.
I for one was involved in discussions with acquaintances, when Selby “Legerby” Moima asked if I would be making it to the poet Mutabaruka’s performance in Modimolle.
I had no clue who Mutabaruka was, with Moima expressing his disappointment at my lack of knowledge about the worldwide genre of poetry.
Then during our pre-conference, Mzamane Ringane came up with some stunning pictures of Mutabaruka performing in Modimolle.
Mzamane said he was likewise embarrassed when he walked to the venue, alongside some local people of his own age, who were raving about Mutabaruka’s poetry, and his talk radio programmes, Cutting Edge and Steppin’ Razor.
And yet we journalists wish to pretend we are know-alls!
A story which was received with shock and awe in The BEAT’s last edition, was the one about a young woman who was sentenced to an effective five years’ imprisonment, on a charge of perjury.
Let me use this opportunity — as a village elder — to sensitise some young women to think twice before storming into a police station to report something that may not be true.
Hope you enjoy another edition of your favourite read this weekend.
— The BEAT
