Bafana vs. Namibia

So a couple of friends and I went to watch the SA vs. Namibia match at Moses Mabhida stadium. You all know the results of that dismal match, so I will not say anything about it, except that we have to pull up our socks if we plan on making much of an impresssion.

The atmosphere... WOW!!! I had such a great time- as can be seen by the top picture. It has been a long time since I partied up a storm and I did not regret it. Even though we sucked with the match- I mean these guys are part time teachers- battling to beat a lowly 111 ranked Namibia, the atmosphere and the joining together of all the races in SA and some foreigners socking SA colours, just showed me what a beautiful country we live in!

I like the new Bafana Bafana away jersey. It's way better than that yellow one. My opinion anyway.

Catch me on www.twitter.com/buhlebonga every hour

100 Day Celebration: I WAS THERE

Moses Mabhida Stadium during a thunderstom in Durban in February 2010. Pic: Sandile Ndlovu

It's a milestone! A milestone the world thought we would NEVER achive and I am so proud to tell the world I AM GOING TO BE THERE!

As part of the festivities, Independent Newspapers KZN had a huge anthem singing spectacle at 12h00 midday and most of the staff came out to sing the national anthem with so much gusto, I got goosebumps! Even though some people didnt know the national anthem (why were we dissing Ras Dumisani then???) there were many who knew it and it drowned out those who didn't know it. But that's beside the point.

I watched the Moses Mabhida Stadium grow from being just a plot of sand and cement into this magnificent basket shaped structure that has already won 7 awards!!! 7 awards and it's not even 6 months old??? Super!!!

I went to the Durban City Hall where they were launching the 100 days countdown and the mayor, Obed Mlaba, deputy; Logie Naidoo, Premiere Zweli Mkhize and Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe we there to celebrate and mark the occassion with the crowds of Durbanites who had come to celebrate this milestone!

A bit disappointing that Sepp Blatter didn't make an appearance, but that didn't deter the crowds as they had Zakumi there (I actually don't like the mascot *hides*) and so were the super fans! I spoke to SADDAM and KULPY and they were so ecstatic that they we are just 100 days away from the biggest showpiece the world has ever seen! I actually understood WHY they are called super fans. They live soccer! Kulpy- the Ajax Cape Town superfan, told me that his family would be watching the quarter and semi-final games; courtesy of CASTLE LAGER!!! I was so jealous, but I wouldn't want to give up my life for soccer. No thanx.

All in all it was a great day. I had fun and I saw why South Africa is a beautiful place and as I said on my Twitter, I am tired of South Africans, especially those who are well off, complain about South Africa! I am sick of all this negativity that they exude on us and it is rather sickening! So from now on, I'm all about positivity. Oh and to just stick it in even more, I'm going to watch Bafana Bafana play Namibia tomorrow at the STUNNING Moses Mabhida Stadium! Eat your heart out!

Picture: Sandile Ndlovu, Independent Newspapers

100 Days Before World Cup

The world thought we couldn't do it, but Africa believed. Today marks a 100 day marathon to the first ever FIFA World Cup on African soil, and Africa... is definitely ready!

As a young African, I have this overwhelming joy. An event of such magnitude will happen in my lifetime and I will be there to witness history unfold. Let's face it, soccer is a gigantic sport and I can already imagine the echoing cheer of the crowds during the first match. I have visions of a magical parade full of dance, with the stirring sound of thumping drums and ululation filling the stadium. Such a glorious moment!

This reminds me of the time Mandela campaigned for his first election in 1994. Every billboard and street corner was marked “Now is the Time: The time is Now.” And without hesitation; this is Africa’s time to shine. We have potential and need to prove to the world that we are not the seeming ‘dark’ continent riddled with grief, disease and calamity. We are a great continent rich with culture, spirit and intellect. It’s only sad it takes such rare ventures to get to prove ourselves to the world.

But the question in my mind is how I will contribute to make this a world cup to remember. Everybody has to play their part, no matter how insignificant it might look in relation to the main event. If you have friends abroad, invite them over and increase the joyous spirits. If you have a large plasma TV & a huge backyard, turn it into a fan park. Forget that you hate your neighbour or that he owes you money! Call the whole street and cheer together. It will be fun. Schools can use their halls and projectors too and raise money selling hot dogs and spicy bunny chows in the midst of the madness. I guess the point is, let us make the most of it. Some opportunities come once in a lifetime and have to be best utilised.

If you care to know, I’ve got my sport gear and vuvuzela ready and am a fanatical supporter of all the African teams that qualified. I guess I have a couple of other jerseys to buy besides Bafana Bafana’s.