Sitting in an internet Cafe in long street right now and I can tell you the energy is building up towards something very powerful. People have come to the city in their masses, offices have been abandoned and even I who decided to try to dodge this whole drama find myself in the midst of a Country overwhelmed by the emotion of the Boks winning the Rugby World Cup 2007.
I’ve thought about this many times and tried to analyze whether this type of emotional fascination with high profile sporting events is healthy or not and whether it truely has the power to bring about good in Society. One thing is for sure, no-one seems to be bothered with any negativity at this moment. People of all kinds are standing on the streets next to each other cheering, blowing those irritating sports horns and having a fun time together. Work is not something anyone seems to be bothered about at all.
The SA flag his flying high and the colours of green & gold are all over the place. Talk about Branding hey! I feel the positivity now as well and as they come closer down long street the energy is picking up. It’s like a bit of mass hysteria almost.
I long for a day when we can all feel this way about each other and about this country for something besides sport. When we can stand in the streets with each other and feel proud about some other more meaningful change in our society. We need this enthusiasm to spread into activities which benefit our society in a much great way, like fighting crime, unemployment and poverty together. I look forward to a day when our successes on these levels will bring our people out in their thousands so we can celebrate the “real New South Africa”. One which we can be more proud of on all levels.
Seems the BOKKE are coming closer now as the screaming and whistling is picking up. As more people being to shout and cheer others are motivated to come running down the hill towards Long Street hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes. I remember a time not too long ago when these reactions were spared for our freedom fighters, like Mr Madiba and Chris Hani and the other people responsible for fighting against apartheid but politicians have become kind of undesirable since then.
I wish I had a camera now to take a few pics of show you a little vid of the atmosphere developing in front of me. It reminds me of the street scenes after the 95 World Cup Victory or the time we bid for the 2004 Olympics. This makes me wonder what lies ahead, how will the 2010 World Cup affect us as a society,as a country, as a family. Will it bring us together for just a short moment and then fade.
And here they come, the streamers are flying, they’re coming past us on their open topped bus and the crowds are chasing after them. Just a slight glimpse and they’re off. There’s a whole motorcade of buses with the whole entourage. People have now run off to the next street to catch another glimpse, to snap a few shots and show their support.In a way it sums up what I feel is the nature of these moments, short lived, filled with emotion and quick to fade.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m feeling the energy too, but wish it would stay longer and be put to more beneficial use. if you’re feeling it now go put it to good use at www.one-project.org, a project to get South Africans collaborating towards a better Society.
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