Stand Strong South Africa
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With the 2010 Soccer World Cup drawing to a very exciting close, we cannot help but applaud South Africa for putting on a wonderful show. OK so I was not actually there, but for a South African being away from home I have never felt so proud.
I have heard nothing but fantastic reports from locals and visitors - when in all honesty I was expecting otherwise. I will be the first to say that I was skeptical. I wasn't sure whether we could pull it off. I was one of those people thinking that logistically we could not cope with that amount of people. But I am glad to say that I was wrong.
After many years of planning, South Africa finally got their public transport system in order and succeeded to move hundreds of thousands of people within the cities without fail.
The Fan Parks and Fan walks were genius and served their purpose of reducing traffic and congestion and of course brining people together, giving them the opportunity to celebrate as one. After seeing the photo's and hearing the noise of these Fan Walk nights I can only wish that I could have been there to experience it. Never in my life would I have thought of walking from the middle of Town to Sea Point late at night - but it has been done, and safely.
It is so nice to think that so many people will be returning home (potentially with broken hearts due to a loss) with so many great stories and memories of their trip to South Africa.
One has to however ask the question - what is going to happen when the teams and tourists leave and the stadium lights switch off? I pray that things stay exactly the way they are. I hope that South African will remember how it feels to be a country united and happy. With everyone living and celebrating life together. No divides, no sadness, no crime.
South Africa you have shown that you can accomplish so much - the biggest thing - change. Lets keep it this way. It has brought such a smile to my face to see the photo's and the videos and hear the songs of happy people. Happy South Africans. Proud South Africans. South Africans waving flags and holding hands. Singing and dancing in the street. Showing the world what an amazing country we have and what amazing people we share it with.
Remember this feeling South Africa. Remember it and treasure it.
I am Proudly South African.
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Thanks for your comment Equella. South Africa has already proven that nothing is impossible - now we just need everyone to believe in us.
Heh Tori - really enjoyed this post - especially loved all the songs you attached at the end - loved them - made me miss the World Cup soooooo much, want to go back to the beginning and do it all again! It was really amazing - absolutely loved the fan walks and went as often as possible, twice with the boys. Loved having to leave our car at home and get to the stadium with the taxi's and then just walking into town after the game to get to the clubs. Loved crowding into a bar after the game with the winners and losers and just having a laugh and celebrating just being at the world cup. Will post some pics soon - they are pretty awesome. Lots of love
equealla 22 months ago
Tori Maltby This is just brilliant. Thank you for this hub. Yessss, South Africa, it's possible!
You know before the games, we had this "negative publicity" in some places.
The black, the white, the indian, the coloured, the everybody living in the "normal" streets here, were standing in a row in Pick-a-Pay with our baskets. Then we looked at each other. Then we smiled. Then we shook our heads. Then we said together: When will they realise we, the people of South Africa do not want to fight. Why do they spread this rumours!
There will be differences, of cause, but it can be sorted. Africa will allways have a heart for many people! We will make a plan. It's not allways easy, but will never say "Impossible". We will not forget the happy moments. Sorry you could not have been here, but perhaps next time.....