Vuvuzela Dawn reflects on 25 sports stories in celebration of a quarter century of democracy
ROSEBANK – Sports journalist and author Luke Alfred launches his book co-authored by Ian Hawkey.
Avid sports readers filled Exclusive Books Rosebank on 16 April to listen to author Luke Alfred discuss his book Vuvuzela Dawn, which highlights 25 sports stories that shaped South Africa as we celebrate 25 years of democracy.
Sports journalist Alfred co-authored the book with Ian Hawkey who did not attend the launch.
The feel-good book makes readers nostalgic for the past 25 years as its authors take a deeper look into the exciting sporting dramas, heroes and heroines since the dawn of democracy.
In discussion with communications manager at SuperSport, Clinton van der Berg, Alfred said, “The book is more than just commemorative but we dug up [more information] and asked more questions.”
Themes of the book highlighted by Van der Berg included self-doubt and resilience.
“There is insecurity in South African sport,” continued Alfred. “Why wouldn’t there be? For 20 years we didn’t do any of this. We [sportsmen and women] found ourselves in matric without Standard 8 or 9 [Grade 10 or 11]. But even as I say that there are incredible exceptions like Jake White and the 2007 World Cup.”
Alfred discussed the optimism with which players look ahead to matches with no fear of failure, which helps teams win, and the self-doubt that creeps in, making them fail to live up to expectations, particularly on the cricketing side.
The authors delve into a variety of sporting areas including rowing, swimming, athletics and disabled sport, to name a few, without leaving out the big three, rugby, soccer and cricket.
Alfred shared anecdotes about the relationship between 2007 World Cup-winning Bok captain John Smit and White kicking one another under the table at press conferences to warn each other to be wary of a tough question from a particular member of the press.
He also spoke of ‘echoes through the system’ of sport which meant that current athletes were inspired by watching Josia Thugwane win gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
“Sports people are ambitious with an eye for opportunities. Penny Heyns swam best and broke records between Olympics but received her glory at the [Olympic] games,” said Alfred.
From Caster Semenya and Wayde van Niekerk to Benni McCarthy and Kevin Anderson, the book reveals the sporting events that shaped a quarter century from a new perspective.
Related articles:
Westdene resident Janina Pechova launches children’s book The Sock Rat in Rosebank
