It was 6:30 am when the first vuvu penetrated my dreams. South Africa was waiting for 6 years and now the World Cup becomes real. The carnival parade last night, where Cape Town welcomed the world, made clear with how much effort everyone was preparing him-/herself for that moment. The Fan Fest at the Grand Parade was packed, the atmosphere was vibrant and pretty much enjoyable .
And today, short before the kick-off it is a beautiful day again. A clear blue sky and a warm breeze make this day just perfect. The minibus driver was loundly singing and dancing whilst he was shouting for passengers along the Main Rd to town.
At 10 am, diski-dance lesson at my office. My intern colleagues organised a music recorder and taught the ERMD crew how to do the “official” 2010 World Cup South African diski-dance. Today, there is no excuse for not being somewhere in the crowd to see South Africa playing against Mexico. The chance to win for Bafana, Bafana is not too bad. Nonetheless, no one really believes that South Africa could win the final. But everyone does hope that South Africa will reach the round of sixteen….
Today is the day, for sure. However, for some people it is just another day of life where you have to sort out more important things then watching a football match. While I was practising my diski-dance skills, my friend R. left the city to be with her family in Limpopo and overcome the loss of her recently died cousin. So, I pray for her that she will be able to give support and advice. And over and above, also Nelson Mandela will stay away from the opening ceremony as his 14-years-old grand child died by a tragic car accident last night right after the World Cup celebrations in Johannisburg…
It’s a day of hopes and doubts in many ways.
