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Scoring a Goal for Nation Building Soccer Stadiums, the 2010 World Cup and the Vuvuzela – the sceptics and critics are so outspoken about wasted taxpayers money and the noise and all kinds of things. We say, just go to a any match at one of the stadiums – buy a vuvuzela and a flag (you can get them for R30 to R50 apiece outside the stadium from a vendor) and move with the crowd. Say hi to the person next to you and you’ll have a friend. Karen Lotter and Mabusi Kgwete went to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 27 January 2010 for the night game of Bafana Bafana against Zimbabwe – the first time the National Team played in eThekwin’s new iconic Stadium. Karen: We were there for the very first game in December when it rained so, but the spirit was amazing, so when Bafana was playing Mabusi and I decided that we just had to be there with our vuvuzelas and flags. I’m not naïve about the crime and violence in South Africa, but when it comes to soccer – people are focussed on the game – we walked from where we parked for miles (they must sort this parking out) in a column of people to the Stadium in the dark, never once feeling threatened or unsafe. We chatted to strangers on the way – blew vuvus together and joked about what the score would be and who would score first. Mabusi: Bafana Bafana ‘siyabangena’ this is a township slang meaning ‘we are going to show them.’ This indeed happened when South Africa won 3-0 against the Warriors – Zimbabwe team. I have been to the stadium before but the 27th of January match was different, we were there to support our country’s team. When it was time to sing the national anthem that was very emotional, being in the crown and the English part that says: “… and united we shall stand, let us live and strive for freedom in South Africa our land.” Indeed, we were united for Bafana Bafana, we were united for our country men, women, young and old, cheering for their team a Rainbow Nation indeed. Karen: For me the National Anthem was also a “wow” moment. To stand there with my hand over my heart in this beautiful stadium - and the soccer fan actually know the words – so it was extra special. Amazing what these new stadiums in the cities are doing for “nation building”. Although the soccer crowd in mainly black, there are many white fans; families with painted faces and vuvuzelas; groups of young people of all races who have donned Bafana Kit for the evening. Mabusi: What happened at the Moses Mabhida for me was the launch of our team fans. We were blowing our Vuvuzela’s, Kuduzela’s, Nunuzela’s and the waving our beautiful colourful flag showcasing what we would be doing in June as South Africans. Moses Mabhida Stadium is a spectacular piece of art which is most beautiful at night, it was a breathtaking moment.
Writing this on paper, does not show the feeling I have inside. If you have a chance and resources it’s a place to be ‘walala wasala’ meaning ‘if you sleeping, you are missing out’ ( you snooze you lose) Halala eThekwini! Karen: So I guess, still on a high from Bafana’s 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe, and spending an evening in vuvuzela harmony, we both want to issue a challenge to Awesome SA members to go to get your friends together the next soccer match!
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