WATCH: Sport unites the Lowveld once more

Magical! There were tears of joy, jumping, shouting and loads of tjortse as Airlink Pumas fans raised their glasses and celebrated the team’s Currie Cup win on Saturday.

But the event was far more than a victory for the boys in pink; it marked a momentous moment of unison in the community – one only a sports team can pull off.  For 80 minutes, people from different race groups forgot about their political and social differences.

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Once again, a sporting event showed us what could happen if politics didn’t constantly interfere with the social cohesion process. It showed that we can rejoice in being one nation. Our daily battles with load-shedding, crime, income and corruption were put on the backburner for a while and we just lived in the moment.

On Sunday, the Pumas had hardly set foot back on Lowveld soil before joining the crowd at the latest Sunday picnic concert in the botanical garden.  The event was held as part of Jacaranda FM’s drive to collect blankets. The challenge was set to beat Pretoria’s 2 400 blankets and the Lowveld didn’t disappoint when more than 5 012 blankets were donated to Round Table White 64 for distribution.

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The beautiful setting of the garden on a sunny winter’s day, with an abundance of food and drink stalls, was the perfect way to celebrate the first big “no-mask” event since Covid disrupted our lives.  Kids were running around, the music had everyone on their feet and families were lazing on their picnic blankies, just enjoying life.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse made a guest appearance on stage, singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, with his squad right there to cheer him on and fall in when Stonehouse belted out the well-known lyrics “hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you…”  When the Hoërskool Nelspruit revue kids took to the stage, their friends, family and a large group from the Pumas squad stood in front of them, singing along in appreciation of the rising stars’ talent.

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While the weekend was loads of fun, it was about more than great sport and entertainment. It made so many Lowvelders appreciate where they live and what this community can achieve when people stand together.  Last week, social media platforms were flooded with messages to the Pumas and images and posts affirming the incredible mobilisation of the businesses and individuals that ensured the collection boxes were filled with blankets.

It wasn’t about race or preference, it was about achieving a set goal and supporting one team.

Our future will be determined by how we cultivate and draw strength and inspiration from moments like these.

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