It would be hard to be in anywhere in Africa right now and not to be aware of the World Cup. In South Africa, that enthusiasm is multiplied by about 500. There, there are billboards and commercials all over the place, welcoming visitors and supporting South Africa’s team. There are flags from all of the countries in the Cup flying in every conceivable size and place, from miniature flags on cars to full-size ones at businesses and homes. The most creative show of support we saw was at a local grocery store, where the bakery had made “breads of the World Cup,” representing national breads of the World Cup participating countries.
The aura in South Africa is of pride and optimism. South Africa is justifiably proud to have transformed itself into a country that is supported rather than boycotted by other nations, and into a country that has the infrastructure necessary to support visitors from all over the world. The message in South African media is Ayoba which I’ve most often heard translated as “excitement” and the charge is to support Bafana Bafana, “our boys” of the home team.
This year for Africa!!
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