If there were any reservations before about South African citizens’ backing of their national team, all such fears were laid to rest on Wednesday, 9 June as the whole nation, indeed the whole country, came to a standstill as everyone rallied around Bafana Bafana, our national football team, on the eve of the momentous 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In Johannesburg, over 190 000 people flooded the streets of Sandton proudly cheering the SA team forward. Adding to the spirit of the SA world cup solidarity was the Eastern Cape Education Department employees at head office, who also came out in their numbers singing, cheering and blowing their vuvuzelas on site in support of South Africa ahead of its opening game in Soccer City today.
For the provincial education office, the enthusiasm has been building up for weeks with employees displaying an insurmountable sense of mutual pride and patriotism for their country and team. In the department’s parking bays, cars have been decorated one way or another in the country’s six colour flag, while employees simultaneously made it a point to wear the Bafana Bafana jerseys every Friday.
One proud and optimistic employee is Billie Mkencele, who says, “We are ready, you better feel it” and strongly believes that the SA team is undoubtedly going to the finals.
For Selwyn Bruiners, the support of the national team by South Africans has left him “humbled”.
“After seeing in the news how people just came together in support of the team yesterday, it left me so humbled and reinforced my pride to be a South African.”
“3-0 is the final score for tomorrow, South Africa is going to win. There’s no way Mexico can come bully Bafana Bafana in their own backyard,” says another staunch supporter Mlu Ncapayi.
It certainly has been a long road for the national team, Bafana Bafana, in preparation and build up to their first match going forward.
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
11 June 2010
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecdoe.gov.za)
