This Time For Africa

Ear-deafening vuvuzelas droned the silent streets of Vasant Kunj as the South African community kicked off the FIFA World Cup 2010 at the High Commissioner’s official residence on Friday. With over 500 football enthusiasts and supporters in attendance,High Commissioner Harris Majeke,sporting a customised South African jersey,cheered the national team Bafana Bafana (a term of endearment referring to the team members as the boys) against Mexico in the first match of the World Cup which ended in a tie.

The mood was set prior to the start of the match when music band Indian Ocean was called in to perform and a well-furnished bar kept the guests in good humour. The sprawling backyard of the diplomatic bungalow was transformed for the event — three giant screens were set up to catch the opening day’s action live. South African supporters were,of course,spread out everywhere in their bright yellow jerseys,with their faces painted in national colours. Reiterating Nelson Mandela’s vision,Majeke welcomed his guests and asked them to celebrate the coming of age of Africa: “This is not just an event about South Africa,it is for the whole of Africa. Africans must be proud of Africa,” he said.