The African World Cup: A Decade Later

For Dad- The man who sparked my passion for sport and gave me so many opportunities.

It was 2004. I watched at the table of a crowded Wimpy on their small TV, when Sepp Blatter opened that famous envelope. “The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be organised… in South Africa.” The place erupted with cheers and the waiting staff screamed for joy and embraced as the announcement was made. For that brief moment they were no longer waiters, we were no longer customers, and nobody seemed like strangers anymore. We were South Africans and in that moment that’s all we needed to be. In a country with a history like ours, we needed that brief moment, we needed more of those moments, and we would receive them in spades in what would be the most spectacular sporting event the African continent had ever seen.

There’s something so special about your country hosting such a major sporting event. For the first seven months of 2010, everyone seemed to be buzzing with excitement, not just for a football tournament, but because it gave us a reason to be united. I remember cars laden with South African flags and an atmosphere of togetherness and comradery that I had never experienced in my country before. More and more South Africans took an interest in football and more importantly, more and more South Africans took an interest in being South African- which is to be united in love for your fellow compatriot without prejudice.

While preparing for this article I watched a documentary about the 2010 World Cup. It provided an amazing rush of nostalgia for me and it was so interesting to see behind the scenes in what was such a successful event. I must confess that by the end of the documentary I felt very emotional and was holding back tears. This was not due to pure nostalgia, but because of the hope all the interviewees explained that they had for the country all those years ago. I remember having the same hope and optimism for South Africa back then and it’s a feeling that’s rare for me these days. Maybe it was naïve for me to think the party would continue and maybe my optimism for a more united and prosperous South Africa was justified. Maybe it’s a bit of both. Either way, I don’t think we carried the momentum on in the best way we could and that is pretty heart-breaking.

There have been many reasons for me to feel bitter about South Africa over the last decade. We have struggled with a weakened economy, vast rises in unemployment, and unyielding racism as well as other challenges. However, I love to see the brief glimpses of hope that remind me that being South African is so special. I was so encouraged by the way the country united itself in the fight against COVID-19. The lockdown has been tough for us all, but I believe that we’ve been led through it well. I’m encouraged by how individuals have respected their leaders and how communities around me have been helping each other navigate this difficult time. It is, in my opinion, the South African way, and even if it isn’t, we should strive for that standard.

The Rugby World Cup win against England last year was also such a special moment for us. I was fascinated by the body language of each team as they left their respective change-rooms for the final. From my perspective, the English players’ body language said, “We want this.”, but the Springboks’ body language said, “We need this.” There was a constant sense of controlled urgency to their game which contributed to their victory. We as South Africans must follow their example by acting with the same focus and urgency to do the small things every day which could grow this country to its potential.

I’ll always remember where I was when great moments like these happened, but I would love to live in a South Africa that didn’t rely on rare, brief moments to provide temporary moral boosts. Instead, I imagine a country who's glory can be seen in the everyday love and respect we have for each other, and in our personal responsibility to encourage ourselves and each other to achieve our best. South Africa’s greatness is inside every South African and it starts with you loving your neighbour as yourself without prejudice and taking up your responsibility to work towards a better future.

Ke Nako.

Dave Roebuck

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