Saturday, May 29, 2010

History In The Making

Just sometimes, you know you are experiencing history at the very moment it is happening. Like tonight. The Super 14 rugby finals. But so much more than that. Firstly, the match was played at Orlando Stadium. In Soweto. (The huge black township near Johannesburg, if you didn't know that) Rugby is usually seen as a "white" game, played largely by white players and watched mainly by white spectators. (As opposed to soccer (football) which is perceived as being a largely "black" game, played and watched in SA largely by black people. All these perceptions we shattered tonight Racial divides crumbled Vuvulelas were played by "boere" (white Afrikaners) Loudly And incessantly. In a stadium In Soweto. And they LOVED it! The excitement, enjoyment, cameraderie, between people of all races, was palpable Even to us who were just watching on TV. The noise level from the vuvuzelas rivalled the decibels of any soccer game And it was mainly generated by the very people who used to complain about them. The people of Soweto graciously welcomed the rugby fans into their domain with open arms; got excited about the rugby with them; drank side by side with these former foes in the local shebeens (pubs); rejoiced in the exhibition of raw power and skill displayed by both teams. The outcome (our team lost honourably) is almost not a factor, so much else, so much more was going on here today. The partying will go on tonight, till late no doubt. My hope is that what was started today, will continue to roll out into the future. It is unexpectedly wonderful happenings like this, that makes me love being a South African. Amongst other things, of course. From a "Proudly South African" allie

10 comments:

Chez said...

Great stuff!

Anonymous said...

It was an amazing thing to watch even on TV. We were saying how fantastic the atmosphere looked and also what an historic event this was... i agree, hopefully it is the beginning of something special. Caio. Lis. xxx

Mel said...

What a great post...I was also planning to speak of it over on my blog but I think I will simply link here - couldnt say it any better!

Stefanie said...

I didn't watch the match, but I played hostess to visitors who watched the match and that was great. All in all, South Africa won.

cat said...

Lovely post Allie!And what you say is so true and valuable before the soccer. Actually in 2007 the Sharks and the Bulls were in the Super 14 final - but just a small technicality that the hubby pointed out.

Marcelle said...

Came over after Mel posted your link on her blog.

I'm a South African living in Germany and sat in my lounge here watching the game...so far away but still a South African and joining in the celebration.
Yes my team lost!!!
But it was victory for South Africa

Kirsty said...

stunning post! Love it! This is such an epic moment in SA, and I am so proud to be a part of it! Bring on the world cup x

allie. said...

Seems we all experienced it in the same magical way!

Cat, thanks for putting me straight about this not being the first time 2 SA sides faced each other in a Super 14 final.
As you will see, I have corrected my error :-)

Shayne said...

Great post allie. You said it so well.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Great post...and how wonderful to live in this great land of ours...even if we have "no water";-)