I received a mysterious mailing from Europe today. I assumed it was some sort of junk mail — a catalog for books or a flier for some new publication, or a new scholarly organization to join. Instead it was my World Cup Welcome Pack. I’m beginning my serious planning for my trip to South Africa (to be covered here in full), which will be a pretty solid blend of work and pleasure. I am working on a new project on sport, race, and politics in South Africa since 1994, so attending the World Cup is WORK I tell you!
The countdown continues apace, as there are 38 days and counting until South Africa squares off against Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup at Soccer City Stadium. From a pure football perspective, that is one match South Africa’s Bafana Bafana must win to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stages. That moment will represent the pinnacle of all that South Africa set out to achieve in hosting the world’s most monumental sporting event. The feet of the South African players will barely touch the pitch, and one almost has to feel bad for Mexico running into the buzzsaw of emotion that night. Mexico’s national team surely has a higher status in global football than does South Africa, but Mexico is now known for performances on a big stage, and the moment might just prove to be too big for El Tri. Mexico has ample experience playing in even higher altitude than that in Gauteng (which will challenge some international teams) but they will not be accustomed to the winter weather, and they certainly will not be ready for the blasts of 94,000 vuvuzelas. But whatever Mexico’s preparations, Bafana Bafana have to come to play. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his charges are beginning to display the style of play that will lead them to World Cup success. And he is beginning to circle around the final composition of his team. Bafana Bafana have not been especially inspiring in their play leading up to the Cup, but they will have the energy of a nation and continent behind them, which should at least lead them to a proud showing in that historic first match.
Everyone involved in the event knows that the World Cup will be a “defining moment” for South Africa. And while periodic controversies continue to erupt and will do so all the way through the event most of the attention will center on the spectacle of it all. South Africans seem downright giddy at the prospective presence of Barack Obama. That will not, however counteract the fact that it is almost certain that Nelson Mandela will not be able to attend the opening match, as sure a sign as any of the degree to which Madiba has slowed in recent years. Obviously millions hope that Mandela will change his mind and will find himself fit and inspired enough to provide his Madiba Magic for Bafana Bafana and for the event as a whole.
Beyond the celebrities, the thin swath of the super-rich, and the participating teams, many worry that there won’t be a lot of African presence at the World Cup.But the bulk of tickets have gone to South Africans, so at least the locals will be well represented. It is possible to wish for a grater African attendance at the event while still recognizing that this complaint is far from unique to this World Cup. At virtually every major sporting event on earth the masses are priced out. Nonetheless, in the stadiums and in the suburbs and in the shabeens and across the country and the continent World Cup fever will hit hard and it won’t break for more than a month. The ultimate question is whether its effects can last beyond July 11. If it does, the World Cup will go down as an unqualified success.
