SWC2010 - Very proudly South African

There was a time when I was ashamed to be a South African.  When I travelled overseas, I pretended to be from another country. I was ashamed to be associated with a country that had so much to be ashamed about. I loved the land, I hated the legacy.  

In 1990, I started gaining pride in this country when Nelson Mandela was freed.

In 1992, I was proud to vote YES to end apartheid in the referendum

In 1994, I stood for hours in a queue to vote in the first free and fair democratic elections in South Africa. I was finally proud to be South African

In 1995, South Africa hosted (and then won!!) the Rugby World Cup. At the time, I was on business in Botswana.  I was heart broken not to be in my country to be part of the amazing vibe afterwards.

It isn't easy living in South Africa.  There is poverty, there is crime.  Lots of crime. And lots of poverty. And yes, there is corruption and xenophobia and AIDS and and and.... but there is also hope and joy and freedom and equal rights and beauty (lots and lots of beauty) and space and then there is the Soccer World Cup 2010.

Never before have I been prouder to be a South African. South Africa is in the most amazing place right now, I dont think ever before in our history has their been more enthusiasm and passion and unity. The vibe is AMAZING!!  We did it!  It is not over yet (only three more games to go *sob*) but so far we have hosted a very, VERY successful soccer world cup. I AM SO PROUD!!

There were so many who doubted us. There were so many who were too scared to come.  But we did it and we did it well!

This was huge for us.  I was SO nervous leading up to the first few matches.  Every bit of negative press (the vuvuzelas were too loud! there were too few toilets on the fan walk! OMG, the weather! It was too cold and rainy!) was like a knife through me.  I took it so personally, I so badly wanted us to do well. I wanted the world to know that although we are African (and therefore somehow not quite as civilized), although we are not rich and powerful like many other Western countries; we are capable, we are competent and we can deliver.  I wanted the world to like us.  However, as the World Cup draws to an end, I realize that more important than the world liking us is that through this World Cup we have realized that WE like us.  We like each other and we love our country, and for most of us, we are so very, very proud to be South African.

I don't know what us South Africans are going to do when the world cup draws to an end. No more soccer??? For the last few weeks we have lived, eaten, drank, consumed soccer.  It has been a magical ride. What an honour and a privilege to have experienced hosting a world cup.  I am so proud of our country.  Well done all!

 

(Oh, forgot to add: Hup Holland Hup!!)

There has been lots and lots of press about it, but the two links below caught my attention,

Blank Spaces Fill World Cup’s Crime Scorecard

A cataclysmic wave of violent crime in South Africa, the fear of so many World Cup killjoys, has simply not occurred. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/07/world/africa/07safrica.htm

Boston Big Picture

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/preparing_for_the_world_cup.html

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/halfway_in_-_2010_world_cup.html

Comments

[AlisonC]

All South Africans should be very proud! You have done an amazing job and been wonderful hosts.

[AlisonC]

All South Africans should be very proud! You have done an amazing job and been wonderful hosts.

[CanadianMama]

Tertia,
Over the last few years of reading your blog I have come to really be amazed at the beauty of your country! Since reading your blog I totally desire to come and visit your country one day!
Here in Canada (or in my city anyways) there has been lots of wonderful things said about South Africa. We have all been amazed at the beauty when we see it on the television. And the lack of violence!
So you should all be VERY proud!!

[Emma in Amsterdam]

Dear Tertia, you know I've read your blog since forever and now, every time I see Kaapstad on television, I think of you (with a taste of cherry chapstick). I understand why you're so proud and rightfully so.

My own city is so full of excitement these days: everything is orange, people cheer without reason in the middle of the day... waiting for the final on Sunday.

I'm sure het WK will bring you MANY new visitors in years to come, and I might be just one of them!

[Lisame]

Doll face, I'm the lady in Texas, USA that wrote you years ago about being engaged to a South African and the horrible person he turned out to be. Your blog, as I wrote, has served to show me that HE was the only bad thing to come out of SA. But THIS is beautiful! You keep up the pride girl - looks good on you.

[Sonya]

I was in your country in 2002 and have to say it is the most beautiful amazing place I have ever been (and that's across 5 continents). I'm thrilled that World Cup has gone so well for you. You have every reason to be proud.

[Katherine]

couldn't agree with you more - we really have realised we do like ourselves as a nation - it's a great feeling!

[J from Ireland]

Well done South Africa is right!! A fella that works with my husband went over for a game and said it was AMAZING and everyboby should visit. So happy for you and your lovely country.

[One of Two Mommies]

I was very moved by your post and had to read it aloud to my wife (and I even interupted her TV show to do it!). She and I both think you and your country should be very very proud. My wife was in South Africa 10 years ago and fell in love. After reading this post she told me I had to write a response to say she felt great passion and love from South African's and she met some of the most amazing people she has ever known there. Here in Canada the press has nothing but great things to say about South Africa. This is South African's time to shine...and it is.

[tiah]

AYOBA!

[Angelina]

Bet 21st May seems so long ago when you posted:

I am not going to one game, have no desire to. Which makes me feel a little bad. Am excited for SA but not terribly excited on a personal level.

It has been great feeling the vibe come through your posts and others in SA. I could say TOLD YOU SO to so many that did not want to come because they would need a gun and USA vs.England was going to end in terrorist blood bath and what not.

Your country has done itself proud. Hopefully, onwards and upwards with the new infrastructure you've gained due to the WC. Are there trams yet in Blouberg to town?

AJxx

[BiancaW]

I felt it! It was awsome! I get a massive lump in my throat to think that it is almost over. I am massively proud of our country. JZ said we can give ourselves a pat on the back, and I am going to!! :-)

[Beth]

I loved reading this. So happy for your country and I can't wait to visit someday with my sister-in-law who lived there for five years.

[Natacha]

I'm a new follower... loved your post... and I am South African too, only I live in the USA. We are all proudly South African and so happy this all worked out... we are very proud of the people of South Africa!

[Shirl]

Awesome post...My WC moment was when I was stuck in standstill traffic along Koeberg Rd, trying to get home to watch Bafana'a last game and when they scored a goal, the people in their cars around me, went totally nuts..hooters and vuvuzelas were blown, men hanging out their cars and the joy was indescribable. I felt like crying right there and then, was totally magic. Ill never forget that feeling.

[air jordan 1]

Growth and change are the law of all life. Yesterday's answers are inadequate for today's problems--just as the solutions of today will not fill the needs of tomorrow. Do you understand? Do you understand?