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Lifestyle:
Power of a Nation |
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SO the World Cup is finally here and the “ain’t nothin’ you can do about it”! With the entire world’s eyes upon South Africa, do you think we have the stamina to carry the “gees” the entire way through the tournament? I only ask this because I believe that as a nation, we truly believe that South Africa has a fighting chance to WIN the World Cup of Soccer and the reality might just be a little darker than that! As a nation, we have overcome more socio-orientated obstacles than most countries have seen in their existence and we have developed a reputation for being able to defeat “the odds” in the face of incredible adversity. |
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The "Gees"...AKA: the Spirit and Pride
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Is this our time?
Does the Vuvuzela really mean that we are playing with 12 men instead of the standard 11?
What will happen is we win?
What will happen if we lose?
All these question go unanswered until a series of 90 minute battles have come to a close and we, South Africa, can step up onto the podium and receive the coveted World Cup trophy! As a realist, I must stress to you that it is a long, long way away and if Bafana Bafana have any sense in them, they’ll be praying to every idol and g-d they have right now that they achieve the latter! Sounding a little negative? Well, as I said, I’m a realist and unfortunately the reality is…we’re not the greatest team in the world – heck – we aren’t even the best team on the African Continent – double heck – I don’t think that we are even in the Top 5-10 teams in Africa.
The statistics don’t lie and quite frankly, ignoring the gees and concentrating on what really matters to win this world cup is…soccer…we honestly shouldn’t stand a chance in hell – BUT – greater things have been achieved in life, against greater odds than what we currently face…so, I ask again? Is the “gees” enough to take us through? Is the power of a nation that strong that we can defy all the odds and make it through the final of the 2010 World Cup of Soccer? Maybe it is…and maybe it isn’t.
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There is no harm in believing we can do it, but where the hurt can be conjured up from is the expectations of a nation and the fact that our entire hopes and dreams fall squarely on those eleven men running on the field to represent South Africa.
As I’m sure you watched our battle against the Mexicans (who are ranked in the Top 20 Teams in the word I might add), South Africa scored 55 minutes into the game, the first goal of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a goal that has given us all-another reason to feel the “gees” all over again! Even those who are not avid football fans had said to me on more than one occasion after the game that they had never felt such elation for their home country as they did when Tshabala put that ball to rest I the back of the net! Coming back down to reality, Mexico did score and equalizer later in the second half and they game did finish up as a draw. Take nothing away from Bafana Bafana, they made us proud…prouder than I think anyone ever thought they could be for a soccer team here in South Africa.
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World Cup Fever is rife in South Africa!
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As an avid English Soccer supporter, I know all too well the standard of soccer that awaits us during the tournament and unfortunately, what I saw on Friday afternoon was sub-par. Bu then why did we perform so well, why did the vuvuzela’s sound louder than they have ever done before? Why weren’t the vuvuzela’s completely and utterly annoying after we had scored that goal? Why did I want to hear more? Why did I feel more protective, connected and possessive over my team, Bafana Bafana, than I had ever felt before?
Can we put it down to the unification that sport brings to a nation?
Can we “blame” it on the gees?
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Proudly South African!
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To digress ever so slightly here, I must give you some insight into why I’m am as apprehensive as I make myself out to be. About 3 years ago, everything changed for me. I say that in such a drastic tone because 3 years ago, I was probably the most unpatriotic person you have ever met. In my lifetime I have fallen victim to some of the more depressing characteristics of our country, becoming a statistic 3 times for as a “smash-and-grab” victim as well as a “hijacking-at-gunpoint” victim. 4 years ago, my mind and my heart could only focus on the negative that this country had to offer.
I was a sad case. BUT – 3 years ago, my life changed. It wasn’t a blinding light, a religious experience nor was it an epiphany…it was a conversation, with one of the most sensibly patriotic people I know. A friend, a mentor and I can proudly say, my life coach. I will not be naming anyone here today as my agreement with him is that he is to remain anonymous.
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He taught me two things…two things that changed my life.
South Africa...Goodness!
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One, to love the ground you yourself walk on. Sounds self-important doesn’t it? Well, it isn’t…it divulge deeper into it’s meaning – what is meant by his “grain” as he likes to reference his “pearls of wisdom” is that simply, if you cannot love yourself, you cannot love anything around you, not a person, animal, object or lifestyle (which includes your country). I think that out of the two “grains” he shared with me that day, this is the one that altered my perception more than anything else.
Two, surround yourself with goodness. Now, anyone who’s anyone will know that, I, personally talk about “goodness” more than the next person. In fact, the word goodness appears in my writing and my diction more than any other “all-encompassing-adjective”. My perception of this grain was that, if one was to surround themselves with negative people, activities, lifestyle orientations and thoughts, you yourself would turn out to be negative. Make sense doesn’t it? I mean, frankly it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the premise of what is actually trying to be said, but as a young man living in South Africa, this turning point and direction was what I needed to start seeing the “good” again.
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Tshabala...you beauty! The 1st 2010 World Cup Goal!!!
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Changing my perception on the world around me began with a change of attitude and instead of constantly focusing on the bad and accepting my own negative thoughts as the staple for how I perceived the world, I realised that there is good out there, one just needs to seek it out instead of expecting the “goodness” to come to you. Making more of a concerted effort to seeking out that good immediately revealed that this country is more amazing than I ever thought it could be. Letting go of the bad experiences in my life, I was ready to move on into a better, brighter future with a new sense of patriotism in hand.
This change in attitude has spilled over into every aspect of my life, including business. I have been lucky enough to use my positivity about this country to be constantly striving to bring about change to people’s lives by helping them realise their full potential and helping certain individuals gain the exposure they need for their specific professional talent. Could this change in attitude be the driving force behind my sense of possessiveness towards Bafana Bafana and South Africa as a whole?
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Again…the word “maybe” comes to mind.
What I am sure of is the fact that now more than ever, I feel as that my decision to change my perception of the world around me, to begin to see the “goodness” in others, in this country has only kept me in good stead and with this World Cup on your doorstep…I cannot for the life of me begin to imagine feel any other way than positive, patriotic and proudly South African.
Ke Nakho
A Proudly Realistic South African
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Writer, David Alves 
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