Let’s see if I can get caught up after several days without internet:
So, what were the odds that my plane from Addis Ababa would be delayed coming to Johannesburg on the morning that the World Cup kicked off? Pretty good as it turned out. The departure lounge was full of a whole lot of antsy travelers, South Africans not wanting to miss one of the great moments in their country’s history and tourists dubious about what in many cases was their first foray to South Africa. Ethiopian Airlines got us off and we did land before the kickoff, but most of us, myself included, missed the pageantry to open up the tournament and much of the first half of the game.
From the minute one steps out from the jetway and into OR Tambo Airport it’s quite clear just how much South Africa has rallied behind the World Cup. Everything is festooned with World Cup banners and signs. The highways are lousy with them. Buildings proclaim that the country is ready, welcome the world, and of course advertise their products (only FIFA sanctioned ones can mention the World Cup, mind you — no “The FPA Africa Blog Welcomes you to the World Cup!” banners will be hanging from windows this month.)
There is a clear and abundant sense of national pride, albeit mixed in with a bit of hucksterism, to this ubiquitous boosterism. And all of it carries, it seems to me, a slight sense that maybe South Africans are convincing themselves, too. The World Cup was always going to be a proving ground for the New South Africa. South Africans have always mixed their belief that they would prove the the world that South Africa is world class with a healthy dose of doubt that South Africa is, in fact, world class.
On the pitch, of course, South Africa opened against Mexico in a game that lived up to billing. Tshabalala’s goal cause paroxysms of joy to ring out throughout the country. Mexico’s equalizer would have been heartbreaking were it not for the fact that Bafana Bafana, like the country they represent, had proven that they do in fact belong on this stage.
And remember that you can follow my meanderings on Twitter @dcatafrica — More to follow.
