Pearly Words of Wisdom - Live blissfully

"It's ever so much more satisfying to get into a blissful place and attract a blissful person and live blissfully hereafter than to be in a negative place and attract a negative partner and then try to get happy from that negative place" . --- Abraham (Abraham Hicks Publications)

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The events that change our lives

Some people's lives are changed in an instant through events that are tragic, events that maim, and disfigure; events that cause pain and destruction in other ways, events that leave people homeless, and without other resources and stability.

Our hearts go out to those people and when we also cast our minds to those in our more personal circle, events like those feel as though they touch our own lives as well.

The upcoming fifth anniversary of the 7/7 London Bombings is one such catastrophic event that changed the lives of thousands of people either in small ways or in big ways. Some died, some were left disabled and disfigured; some lost loved ones, some lost their ability to earn an income, some have been left with psychological scars to match their physical scars.

Life has a way of sending us events that can change our lives.

Today I'm again celebrating the anniversary of an event eighteen years ago that changed my life, fortunately for the better, and I remain humble and grateful.

This time last year I wrote about celebrating and remembering the good stuff in life, not only the bad stuff, and whilst it is important to remember the bad stuff and to honour what resulted from bad events, it is equally important to celebrate and remember all that is good and has had a good impact on us.

Most events have the power to create something new and different for our individual life experience however minute the impact might be. Some events have the power to create a completely new improved version of ourselves, and that, in my view, is something to be cherished. And celebrated.

This year I initially opted for something short and sweet to mark the occasion, but the writer in me got the better of me and I decided to do something a little more.

May the next 18 years bring more celebrations of varying intensity and specialness.

Photo:  Thanks to Annie P.

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Bombing survivor slams security services 'cover up'

What disgraceful behaviour from the authorities.  Totally lacking in empathy, sensitivity and decency.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2010/june/29/bomb.aspx
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England - no luck

England soccer boys - unfair disallowance of that one goal, a bit of bad luck with a couple of shots on the wood, but otherwise, honestly, what were they doing with the ball - kicking it into the air with no red shirts in sight; no evidence of cohesion, plan, or strategy. 

England out of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.  Not their finest hour. What a shame.

Germany - great strategy, calm demeanour, good planning, well thought out passing of the ball.

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FIFA 2010 - fantastic photography

Fantastic PDF presentation with fantastic photography.
"Nubia Group waka waka South Africa 2010"
Leave your e-mail address in the comments section if you'd like me to send it to you.
It's worth watching, and keeping.

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Light relief - Vuvuzelas annoying people since 1660

Painting circulating on e-mail. Used on this blog without explicit permission.

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The healing power of horses - and a 7/7 survivor

Not a new concept.
Hippotherapy, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Experiential Learning, healing modalities at Miraval Resorts  http://www.miravalresorts.com/ to name a few.

Below, a write up about Beverli Rhodes, a brave soul, experienced in horse riding and horse care; great horse lover. One of the survivors of the 7/7 London Bombings whose 5th anniversary is coming up in two weeks time.  Five years have already gone by; can you believe how time rushes past us. 

http://victoriaspicer.co.uk/_file/OOzsnFqQb5_38153.pdf

http://web.me.com/rob.painter/UKPHA/html/news.html

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Supporting worthy organisations

Countless organisations provide invaluable services and support to countless people who have been affected by any of society's scourges.  The effects are as a result of mankind's inexplicably intentional inhumane treatment of other living souls, and sometimes it's through ignorance or diminished responsibility.  Either way, souls end up suffering, and it's such a shame however much one aligns oneself with the thinking of past lives, and contracts before we incarnated and all that ..............

Here are just a few organisations of special interest in South Africa, and elsewhere.

Childline. http://www.childline.org.za/
Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. http://www.ttbc.org.za/

Society for Animals in Distress. http://www.animalsindistress.ws/
Association of Mouth and Foot Painters. http://mouthandfootpaintersrsa.org/southafricanew.html

South African Riding for the Disabled.  http://www.sarda.co.za/
South African Guide Dogs Association for the Blind. http://www.guidedog.org.za/

The Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF) is dedicated to improving children's lives by helping organizations provide healthy nutrition to children at risk. www.herbalifefamilyfoundation.org/ 

Give of your time and resources to empower others to live the lives they want to live.

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World Cup - Andy Cole

"The privilege of being South African on this occassion. Thank you, South Africa. Andrew Cole (Andrew Cole, a former Manchester United player, is the second all-time Premier League scorer with 187 goals.)

Last Updated: June 17. 2010 11:01PM UAE / June 17. 2010 7:01PM GMT

Fans cheer outside Soccer City in Johannesburg after the World Cup opening match between South Africa and Mexico. Eugene Hoshiko / AP Photo

The opening day of the World Cup was one of the best experiences of my life. I was lucky enough to be invited to Soccer City in Soweto as part of a children’s charity alongside Socrates, the great Brazilian. He is an absolute legend, but guess who was recognised all the time because he played for Manchester United? That shows the power of the English Premier League in Africa.

The people of South Africa have been among the friendliest and most hospitable I have encountered. Their raw enthusiasm for hosting the World Cup knows no bounds. For decades, cynics sneered and said that Africawould never hold the tournament. So it was a privilege to be in one the best stadiums I have ever seen as 90,000 people watched the opening game.

Africa has proved people wrong. The country has built superb stadiums in incredible locations. Germany had great stadiums four years ago too, but they did not look out to Table Mountain like the one in Cape Town does, or the Indian Ocean like in Durban and Port Elizabeth. Soccer City is overlooked by the slag heaps of the old gold mines in Soweto. They are huge and it amused me that they have tried to grass them over.

The airports are working perfectly, the hotels too. There is a lot of security about and thousands of volunteers, but it is all running well and I have been impressed by the organisation. It is a great World Cup so far and it has been since the first day.

The atmosphere inside the stadium for the opening ceremony was like nothing I’ve experienced before. It wasn’t just a big game of football, but a country coming of age. That is genuinely what it felt like.

Black and white fans sat together. They sang and danced and blew their vuvuzela horns until they had no more energy. Much fuss has been made about the constant drone of the vuvuzelas, but they are unique to Africa and we should accept and embrace that. Banning them would be like telling the European fans that they can’t chant. That is how South Africans support their teams and it is their World Cup.

Fan culture contributes to the World Cup – the Mexican wave came from the 1986 tournament in Mexico.

The fans inside Soccer City were having such a great time and I got goose bumps when I heard their national anthem. It is very long as it contains several of the languages spoken in the country, but what a spectacle. I felt honoured to be there and I believed that the World Cup was really bringing people together.

It was shame that Nelson Mandela could not be there to see South Africa play so well against Mexico, but he had a bereavement in his family and family should come first. I wish I had followed my own advice instead of missing the birth of my son, Devante, to play for Manchester United.

The only downsides so far have been the weather – which you cannot control – and the football. The only team who have genuinely impressed me so far have been Germany. Most of the others have disappointing.

Germany started with attacking intent against Australia and never let up for 90 minutes. They got an early goal and played good football thereafter. Miroslav Klose has been the most impressive player in the first round of matches.

One problem is that teams are playing too conservatively because they are petrified of losing. I am tired of games being 0-0 at half time.

Several teams have been major disappointments. Cameroon were dreadful against Japan. The highest ranked African side, they were bigger and fitter than their opponents, yet they were one dimensional and devoid of ideas.Japan had never won a single World Cup game outside their own country before they beat Cameroon.

What happened with England did not surprise me. Overhyped as ever before the tournament, England had to work hard to get a 1-1 draw against a solid US side who did a number on Fabio Capello’s players. England’s failure to win brought the kind of knee-jerk reaction you have come to expect from the British media, with wholesale changes being suggested.

England are ranked eighth in the world because there are consistently seven better teams. The US have been ranked as high as fourth – far higher than England – in the last five years.

England may expect, but reality should kick in now. They play their second game against Algeria tonight. Anything but a victory will be a disaster. England are good enough and should win to get into a strong position to win the group. I will be at the game and then I get to meet Princes William and Harry for another charity project. I have enjoyed it all tremendously so far – I just want to see some more exciting football.

Well done South Africa and Thank You".

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Eastern Cape, South Africa

60mm of rain last week plus lots of snow. Our dam has risen by 3% from 30 to 33.  Thanks to SV for the feedback and photo.  Beautiful.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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South Africa Bafana Bafana not in the finals but what a FIFA 2010 Legacy

As I said in my blog post dd 11 June 2010, ultimately it's about the journey not necessarily about who wins or loses.

Bafana Bafana did what they could to play as best they can.  They scored some goals, including the first goal of the World Cup.  They lost a few points.  They haven't made it to the final 16.  It's a pity BUT as South Africans we feel no defeat - we earned the right to host these games; we are hosting them with great pride and unity; we are putting on quite a spectacular, colourful show. 

We have law enforcement that has moved swiftly where it's been required.  To date, we have had no major incidents that so many of our detractors love to focus on and milk for all its worth.

We had a Plan B when the FIFA 2010 stewards decided to strike and didn't alow that to affect the games.  We have built world-class stadiums, and other infrastructure.  We have been flying our flags and wearing all the soccer paraphernalia.

Our spirits have been lifted.

Our FIFA 2010 team haven't made it to the finals.  So what.  We are still the proud hosts of this great event, and we are still supporting South Africa and still participating in the games.  And we are proud of the effort Bafana Bafana made and we're proud of their accomplishments.

There is a great Power Point presentation circulating - worth watching.  "It does not matter that we did not qualify". Send your e-mail address in "comments" and I'll forward it to you if you haven't seen it.

A call to continue to rally around our soccer spirit.
http://sports.za.msn.com/worldcup/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=153872010

Here's good news coverage and a positive view from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10385264.stm

We don't need a miracle in this great event - we have had a miracle already, and it's up to us now to continue to live in the spirit and unity that the games brought out in us.

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Netherlands Convoy through South Africa (2010 supporters)

Led by an Orange double-decker the Dutch Supporters on route from their camp site in Pretoria to their next game against Japan in Durban. Their convoy travelled the 636 km route comprising of 175 campers, trucks, buses and jeeps – their convoy was 6 kms long.
Photographer/s not known.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 





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FIFA 2010 England vs Algeria - The Benches video clip

Very entertaining.  With England's FIFA 2010 performance so far, perhaps they should show us what goes on in the benches instead :(
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Blue and white beaten by blue and white

Hm. Greece beaten by Argentina.  Not good.  Not happy. 
Cute Greece goalkeeper though. 
Still, flying the flag for the homeland.









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South Africa Rolls out the Ubuntu in Abundance

The perfect message to land in my inbox today - the day South Africa emerged victorious on the soccer field. Thanks to AVM for sending it.

Shari Cohen
International development worker in the public health sector
Posted: June 15, 2010 11:35 AM - Huffingtonpost.com

South Africa Rolls Out the Ubuntu in Abundance

I went on a rant the other day regarding the cost of the 2010 World Cup versus all the critical needs South Africa is facing and whether or not the most vulnerable of this country would gain anything from having the World Cup hosted in their country. At that time, I also had some very positive things to say about our hosts for the 2010 World Cup and I wanted to share that side of the coin as well, because it is equally important.

To say that I have been blown away at the hospitality South Africa has shown the rest of the world would be an understatement. I think back on recent Olympics and struggle to remember much reporting in the USA of athletes from other countries. I remember when a Togolese guy won a bronze medal in kayaking and NBC reported it and I thought to myself, "where are all the other fascinating stories like this one...like the Jamaican bobsledding team." In today's America, sadly, we have drifted so far towards being so US-centric that we only seem to root for the Americans.

Not so here in South Africa. I've been here since early May and each week I have become more and more impressed with the global embrace that South Africans have offered up to the world. On the way to the airport a couple of weeks ago, I heard a radio program that said each day they would focus on one country that would be coming to South Africa for the World Cup, and they would explore not only that sport's history in soccer, but also their politics, religion, and socio-cultural practices. On the television, I've seen numerous programs that focus on a particular country and its history of soccer and how the history of that country is intertwined with their soccer history. I've seen programs on India, exploring why India enjoys soccer but hasn't really excelled at the global level... yet. And I've seen shows on soccer in Muslim countries. Maybe it's planned, maybe it's unplanned, maybe it's by chance, but it is happening. It's not just about South Africans showing off their varied and multifaceted culture to their global guests, it's also about using this opportunity to educate South Africa on the rest of Planet Earth's inhabitants.

As I moved through my work here in the provinces over the last six weeks, I had a pivotal meeting with the Board members of a rural NGO. They were explaining their guiding program philosophy of Ubuntu. No, not the Linux program. I'm talking about the traditional African philosophy of Ubuntu that essentially says, "No man is an island."

I found a better explanation from Wikipedia:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu further explained Ubuntu in 2008:

One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality -- Ubuntu -- you are known for your generosity.

We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.

To me, Ubuntu is the acceptance of others as parts of the sum total of each of us. And that is exactly what I have experienced during the lead up to, and the initial days of this World Cup. There is nary a South African citizen that I've met on the street, or in shops or restaurants or hotels, that hasn't gone out of their way to greet me and make me feel like I am home. And I don't mean that in the trivial, "Oh, aren't they nice, homey people here... " sort of way. I mean real, genuine interest and questions. People seriously want to know where I come from. What it's like where I live. How does it compare to where I am now. What do I think of South Africa. Oh yes, and what do I think of Bafana Bafana... The questions and conversations are in earnest. They are honest. And they are had with enthusiasm and a thirst to know more. South Africans are drinking deeply from the cup of humanity that has been brought to their doorstep. I would never imagine that an American World Cup or Olympics would ever be this welcoming to the rest of the world. And that saddens me for the state of my home country, but it also makes me feel the pride of the South African people.

I have been truly humbled on this trip. And while I have my gripes regarding development here, I cannot say one negative thing about how South Africa has handled its duties as host and hostess to the world. If I could say one thing to sum up being here during this once-in-a-lifetime experience, it would be that I've learned the value of Ubuntu, and that when found and offered in abundance, the world is indeed a better place to live in.

So, if South Africa accomplishes nothing more on the playing field, it will still have won as a host country. I am a cynic, no doubt about that. And yet I have to admit, I'm a little teary just writing this because I leave for home next weekend and I will be leaving a little piece of myself here in South Africa. I just hope I have learned enough to bring back a little piece of Ubuntu to my homeland, where perhaps with a little caring and a little water, it will take root as naturally as it does here, in the cradle of civilization. It's funny, many people in America still ask me, "are the people in Africa very primitive?" Yes, I know, amazing someone could ask that but they do. And when they do, I usually explain that living in a mud hut does not make one primitive, however, allowing kids to sell drugs to other kids and engage in drive-by killings -- isn't that primitive behavior? I think it is. When I think of Ubuntu and my recent experiences here, I think America has much to learn from Africa in general, in terms of living as a larger village; and as human beings who are all interconnected with each other, each of us having an effect on our brothers and sisters.

As the 2010 Cup slogan goes, "Feel it. It is here." Well, I have felt it, because I am here. Thank you South Africa, for giving me this unexpected gift. I am humbled.

Blog owner's comment:  Exactly.
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FIFA 2010 - Yellow and Green vs. Les Bleus

Well done Bafana Bafana on your 2 - 1 win against France!  That's the spirit.


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Nan Hua Buddhist Temple - Bronkhorstspruit South Africa

Nan Hua is the name of the South African branch for the Humanistic Buddhist order, Fo Guang Shan, who has made it their mission to spread Humanistic Buddhism to all the continents on Earth. Nan Hua acts as the central religious and administrative office for all Fo Guang Shan branches in Africa, which includes temples and centres throughout South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania and Congo.

Nan Hua is located more or less 50km east of Pretoria and 70km East North East of Johannesburg, in Cultura Park, a suburb of Bronkhorstpruit. A very central location to have the temple, being only a stones throw away from Johannesburg International Airport and the administrative facilities provided by major cities but still far enough to maintain a calm and peaceful enviroment outside the high-stress city life.

At the Temple, we have Chinese Dharma Functions and major Buddhist events that are held at our facilities, along with Western and Eastern Retreats.

Being a non-profit charity/religious organization, Nan Hua operates on donations made towards the spreading of Buddhist principles in South Africa and the drive to ease the suffering of people and promote a peaceful, moral life. This donation drive is called Dana, or generosity, and is intrinsic to the 2500-year-old Buddhist tradition.

Since the time of the Buddha the teachings (dharma) was considered priceless and therefore given away freely. In keeping with this spirit, the monks and nuns, as well as the visiting fascilitators at the Temple do not receive any payment for leading retreats even though they give generously of their time, energy and understanding. The Temple's retreat tariff is set to cover running expenses without profit.

Note should be taken that "donation" does not neccessarily mean financially, but could also be in the form of food, clothing or anything helpful that can be spread by our Outreach department to the needy. It could be in the shape of a teaching in first-aid, etc. given for free to the local communities. Anything that can help improve life for those who are most in need of it.

It is Nan Hua's goal to try and become financially self-sufficient.
Source:  http://www.nanhua.co.za/

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Buddhism - Do no harm. Four Noble Truth, Eightfold Path, Five Contemplations

Buddhism:  "Do no harm". The Four Noble Truth. The Eightfold Path.
http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html

Consider also the Buddha's Five Contemplations when Eating:

I think about where the food came from and the amount of work necessary to grow the food, transport it, prepare and cook it and bring it to the table.
I contemplate my own virtuous nature. Is it sufficient to merit receiving the food as offering.
I guard my mind against transgression, the principal ones being greed and so forth.
I realize that food is a wholesome medicine that heals the sufferings of the body.
I should receive the food offerings only for the sake of realizing the Way.

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Abraham teachings - Look for things that you appreciate .....

Look for things that you appreciate where you are. It will put you in a place of perfect allowing, even when you are not yet manifesting all that you want. "There are many people right now experiencing the dream that is coming for me, who were at one time standing right where I'm standing. I'm right on track. There is not anything amiss here. Everything is unfolding perfectly. I am perfect where I am and gravitating to something that will satisfy me even more." That's the attitude that lets it expand. --- Abraham

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Frozen sea Cape Town, South Africa - photos

Frozen sea in Cape Town, South Africa Friday 18 June 2010.
Photographer not known but thanks to Avril and Kay for sending them.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 







 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

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SA United: Speech delivered by Dr Christo Wiese

Read the speech delivered by Dr Christo Wiese* to the members of the Adele Searl Mount Nelson 100 Club on Friday 7 May 2010.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=125727807454772

Dr Christo Wiese joined Pep Stores as executive director in 1967. Seven years later he left Pep Stores to practice at the Cape Bar. He rejoined Pepkor and has been executive chairman of Pepkor Ltd since 1981. He is also a director of Monex Group of companies, Metropolitan Life, Lenco Holdings Limited and an external director of Sasol. He is currently chairman of Shoprite Holdings and serves as chairman of the remuneration and nomination committees. He is currently chairman of Tradehold Ltd, Invicta Holdings Ltd, and Tulca (Pty) Ltd – trading as Mango – and nonexecutive director of KWV Holdings Ltd and the PSG Group. (Source: WhosWho Southern Africa)

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History says the Gulf eventually will recover, by Art Chapman

Star-Telegram, Art Chapman 19 June 2010
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/19/2277828/history-says-the-gulf-eventually.html?utm_medium=twitter

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Opening weekend - 2010 World Cup - the Big Picture Boston.com

Incredible photos. Even if you're not a soccer fan. Thanks to WKC for sending them to me.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/opening_weekend_-_2010_world_c.html

And the great vibe and spirit continues in South Africa.

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All over in Bloemfontein! Well done Greece

Well done Greece!  2 - 1
Torosidis and Salpingidis - boytjies.
That's the spirit.  Show the world what you can do.
Onwards and upwards.  Let's shine when we take on Argentina on Tuesday 22nd.

Great Nigerian goalkeeper though - saved loads of shots.



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Greece vs Nigeria

Nigeria's Sani Kaita - take your aggression, hostility, lack of discipline and lack of professionalism and go home.  The red card is nowhere near what you deserved.

Nigeria's Oche - scratch yourself in private not when a camera is on you, recording you as you scratch and spit.

Well done to Salpingidis for scoring Greece's first goal in this World Cup.  Holding thumbs and cheering you on for many more.








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Vuvuzelas - light relief doing the rounds

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Just for a change of pace - Love is patient

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." --1 Corinthians 13:4-7

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Argentine, British soccer hooligans, Dutch beer offenders, but Sainsbury's vuvuzela sales

Sixteen Argentine soccer supporters trying to cause trouble and chaos at the FIFA 2010 games.  And one notorious Brit who is known for inciting racial violence.  They are to be deported from South Africa.  Good riddance, and don't ever come back.  Types like you are not welcome here or, apparently, anywhere else.  Good job to the officials who caught up with them and those who are sending them away. 

And to those Dutch women who crashed the party and wanted to promote Bavaria beer that had not been approved by FIFA:  Where do these people get the right to take over and promote whatever they want to promote without permission?  They've been taken to court.  Good.  Follow the rules.

Did the foreign media report on any of this, I wonder, or are they reporting only on the noisy vuvuzelas, the striking stewards and an incident of expensive photographic equipment having being stolen from a hotel room?

FIFA 2010 stewards striking - not good.  Now is not the time to try to throw such a spanner in the works, but perhaps they are taking their lead from BA's cabin crew who carried out their strikes at vulnerable and busy times for the company.  But how do two wrongs make a right?

On the other hand, Sainsbury's stores are selling vuvuzelas like hot cakes, and have sold 40 000 of this loud African instrument in 4 weeks.  Put that in your pipes and smoke it to all the detractors and those getting annoyed with the noise. Yes, sure, business is business, I know. 

Let's continue to focus our attention on everything that is good about this great event, let's keep our bodily fluids to ourselves (note to the Uruguay player as well as the others) and let's wrap up nice and warm during this very cold snap we're suddenly experiencing.

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South Africa vs. Uruguay

Oh dear, not a good result for Bafana Bafana. Do your  best next time guys so we can remain in the game.

I am holding thumbs for Greece tomorrow against Nigeria at 16h00 (14h00 GMT +2).



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Moon and Venus over Johannesburg Monday 14 June

Moon and Venus over Johannesburg, Monday 14 June. 
How do I know it's Venus?  I asked an expert on a fabulous astronomy site.
And in Johannesburg we're hitting sub-zero temperatures. 
Hopefully the cooler temperatures are better for the soccer players.

Photo: BP

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Vuvuzela - Giles Smith, The Times UK

Just received from a good friend, thanks

Giles Smith From The Times UK
Last updated June 15 2010 12:01AM
On the box

“Where do you stand on the vuvuzela?” is the question on people’s lips at this World Cup — but, of course, the answer is, you don’t stand on it. For the best results, you blow into it from one end. That’s my reading of the unfolding situation on the ground, anyway. And then you continue to blow until such time as you expire or the tournament in South Africa ends, whichever comes sooner.

For the record, the position of this column on the vuvuzela is as follows: 100 per cent in favour, utterly in support. True, it makes every game appear to be taking place inside an exceptionally busy sawmill and it can occasionally be difficult, above the buzz, to hear yourself eat biscuits. Nevertheless, there can be no implication that the horns are ruining the show at sitting-room level.

Indeed, for viewers with memories of ancient World Cups from South America, the hubbub even adds something. Back in the days of the dodgy, pre-digital satellite link, a commentator had to launch himself
through the static and ended up sounding as if he were broadcasting live from the cockpit of Apollo 11. To some extent, the vuvuzela backdrop recreates that magic.

However, there are many out there who really would stand on the vuvuzela and, if that didn’t work, on the person playing it. Rumours briefly flickered of a Fifa-imposed ban and among the pundits of BBC and ITV it is hard to find a single person with a good word to say about the instrument.

Only yesterday, during Japan v Cameroon (the tournament’s worst game so far, during which one had much reason to be grateful for the enlivening atmosphere provided by massed plastic trumpetry), Mark Lawrenson in the BBC’s commentary box grumpily remarked: “I wish we could hear anything above that lot.” And that seems to be the standard view, as the increasingly tinnitus-ridden members of the commentary teams battle to find an audible frequency for themselves.

In many of these cases, though, resistance to the vuvuzela’s charms appears to be the legacy of having been awoken by freelance soloists in the middle of the night. Hansen, Shearer, Lawrenson, Keegan — they all seem to have had stories to tell in this area. And fair enough — you see their point of view. You’ve got to go on telly the next day, look at replays and say things requiring concentration, such as,

“You’d expect him to hit the target from there” or (just occasionally, employing the officially licensed variation), “You’d expect him to work the ’keeper from there”.

A properly restorative night’s sleep is bound to be precious to you and heaven forbid that anyone should disturb, say, Jim Beglin by interpreting the arrival of the World Cup as a signal to enjoy themselves late into the night. The problem probably won’t be solved satisfactorily until our pundits are billeted away from trouble on these occasions, under armed guard, in specially designated “Media Talent Quiet Zones”.

Still, there is humming coming from the studios, too, not least when the 60 per cent incomprehensible Emmanuel Adebayor is in action for the BBC. But at least “Manu” is putting some effort into being incomprehensible, like it matters to him, and when his mobile phone went off yesterday, he looked genuinely mortified. (Gary Lineker was very cool: “Do you want to get that?”)

Contrast ITV’s Edgar Davids, who slumps in his chair, magisterially picking his chin and clearly regarding Adrian Chiles’s habit of lobbing him the occasional question as an act of rank impertinence. Not even the arrival of Holland was enough to engage the Dutchman’s imagination yesterday, his contribution bottoming out at the point at which he looked at a replay and said: “Yeah, and then ... yeah.” If anyone involved in this tournament needs somebody to creep up behind them with a vuvuzela, it’s Davids.

Just to blow into it, I mean.

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Vuvuzelas - all the noise - soccer players, and foreign journalists and their biases

My goodness, what big drama about the Vuvuzela being heard during the FIFA 2010 World Cup!

Sure it's loud, sure it's noisy, sure the crowds don't really need to blow on it for the duration of each game, but oh my, some "important" soccer players want it banned (interestingly those from teams that were defeated in the games they played); Sky News brought on an acoustics expert to tell us how loud the sound is and how bad it is for our ears; we heard about what gathers in the vuvuzela once blown. Oh get a life ....

Okay so we don't need to blow the vuvuzela all the time, but allow us our moment in history.  We put up with drunk, rude, disgusting fans at football matches around the world.  We've recently watched the English and the American soccer players spit on the ground while playing the game with cameras on them - do we really want to watch mucus and gunk  leaving your mouths and noses, polluting the air and the grass in our stadiums?  That is a revolting habit.  Why don't you stop that, and focus on playing the game you're playing, and be more tolerant of the noise in the stadium. 

We live with chanting and waves, (and hooligans), and things that are part of the culture and spirit of the games in other countries, so you can put up with our vuvuzelas. 

If you don't like the sound, use ear plugs.  If you don't enjoy having that kind of instrument so close to you, consider watching the games on TV, and not in crowds of 90 000 where inevitably there might be some irritation. 

If you're a soccer player and can't concentrate, get medication to improve your concentration.  Use your brain power to block out the sounds. Focus, focus, focus on the ball.

What on-pitch instructions can't the players hear?  Don't they have a game-plan?  Do they have to have someone shout their next move at them?  Can't they see where to kick the ball or where the goal is?  That has nothing to do with vuvuzelas.  Concentrate on your game, and block out the noise, or is that a bit like asking you to walk AND chew gum at the same time?

So the players say they can't hear the whistle: when-you-see-others-have-stopped-playing (presumably because they heard the whistle) ...... that definitely means the game is over, or temporarily halted for some reason, no rocket science needed for that. Or supersonic hearing. Someone on the pitch hears the whistle otherwise the games would never end and we'd have 22 grown men chasing a ball until the end of time ................

And to some of the foreign journalists and news people with holier than thou attitudes and articles and news reports that border on the vitriolic, have a look in your own backyard first, and then critique this country and the games and the organisation thereof. 

No event is perfect, not here, not in Europe, not in America, not in England, nowhere.  No event goes off without a hitch, so don't expect a seamless and perfect set of circumstances for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

Instead, open your hearts and minds to the spirit of the country and the game, and write articles that are fair; be objective in your news reporting, and keep your bias to yourselves.  If you have nothing good to say, either don't say anything or go home, wherever that is, where you will find tons of imperfection, danger, dirt, and noise on your own doorstep on a daily basis not only if your city/country is hosting a massive international event.

For those who are experiencing the great vibe in the various cities and stadiums in South Africa, the excitement, the pride, the unity, even the traffic jams that tell you how keen everyone is to participate in this magical event, continue enjoying yourselves, and we thank you for all the positive coverage and feedback we are getting.  We also thank you for the positive contribution you are making to our cities, our country and to the workforce.

To those blowing the vuvuzelas - perhaps we can take it down a notch, and not blow the vuvuzela for 90 minutes non-stop, and instead concentrate on the game, support our teams, and go mad on the vuvuzela when we score?

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FIFA 2010 opening game - fantastic feedback from someone who was there

I have just received this feedback and these photos from an old friend of mine who has travelled the world, and was at the opening game at Soccer City on Friday 11 June.

"The stadium is absolutely A M A Z I N G.  The atmosphere was electric and fantastic.

The support for Mexico was huge. We sat right next to a massive group of them together with their drums and full on Red Indian dress. They were brilliant until Bafana scored and then they were DEAD silent. The vuvuzelas did not bother me like I thought they would. I did not even use my earplugs.

When the game was over we waited a while before leaving our seats and in the hallways there were crowds of all sorts of people, some dressed in the most incredible outfits just taking photos with any and everyone. My photos will be going all over the world I am sure. What a festive atmosphere.

It was one of the most memorable times of my life and I had an absolute ball. I am so glad I went. Now all I need is tickets to the closing game".

Note to the world: South Africa has stepped up to the challenge, we are having great soccer matches in various stadiums and various regions around the country. It is a happy, festive, exciting time. Focus on that, and come to the country to see for yourselves. 

And do please read the previous post - Open letter to our foreign media friends, by Peter Davies of Supersport. 

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Open letter to our foreign media friends - Peter Davies

Open letter to our Foreign Media friends, by Peter Davies* 09/06/2010 09:09
*Peter Davies, presenter on Super Sport and has also worked for ESPN

Dear World Cup visitors,

Now that you are safely in our country you are no doubt happily realising you are not in a war zone. This may be in stark contrast to what you have been bracing yourself for should you have listened to Uli
Hoeness or are an avid reader of English tabloids, which as we all know are only good for wrapping fish 'n chips and advancing the careers of large-chested teens on page three.

As you emerge blinking from your luxury hotel room into our big blue winter skies, you will surely realise you are far more likely to be killed by kindness than by a stray bullet. Remember that most of the media reports you have read, which have informed your views on South Africa, will have been penned by your colleagues. And you know what journos are like, what with their earnest two thousand word opuses on the op-ed pages designed to fix this country's ills in a heartbeat. Based on exhaustive research over a three-day visit.

Funnily enough, we are well aware of the challenges we face as a nation and you will find that 95% of the population is singing from the same song-sheet in order to ensure we can live up to our own exacting
expectations.

We are also here to look after you and show you a good time. Prepare to have your preconceived notions well and truly shattered. For instance, you will find precious few rhinos loitering on street corners, we don't know a guy in Cairo named Dave just because we live in Johannesburg, and our stadiums are magnificent, world-class works of art.

Which is obviously news to the Sky TV sports anchor who this week remarked that Soccer City looked ' a bit of a mess'. She didn't realize the gaps in the calabash exterior are to allow in natural light and for
illumination at night, and not the result of vandalism or negligence.

The fact that England, the nation which safely delivered Wembley Stadium two years past its due date, is prepared to offer us South Africans advice on stadium-readiness should not be surprising. The steadiest
stream of World Cup misinformation has emanated from our mates the Brits over the past couple of years.

If it's not man-eating snakes lurking in Rooney's closet at the team's (allegedly half-built) Royal Bafokeng training base, then it's machete-wielding gangs roaming the suburbs in search of tattooed, overweight Dagenham dole-queuers to ransack and leave gurgling on the pavement.

In fact what you are entering is the world's most fascinating country, in my opinion. I'm pretty sure you will find that it functions far more smoothly, is heaps more friendly and offers plenty more diversions than you could possibly have imagined.

In addition to which, the population actually acts like human beings, and not like they are being controlled by sinister forces from above which turns them into bureaucratically-manipulated robots.

Plus we have world's most beautiful women. The best weather. Eight channels of SuperSport. Food and wine from the gods themselves. Wildlife galore. (Love the Dutch team's bus slogan: "Don't fear the Big 5; fear the Orange 11").

Having said all that, Jo'burg is undoubtedly one of the world's most dangerous cities. Just ask those Taiwanese tourists who got out of their hire car to take close-up snaps of tawny beasts at the Lion Park a few years back. Actually, ask what's left of them. And did you know the chances of being felled by cardiac arrest from devouring a mountain of meat at one of our world class restaurants has been statistically proven
to be 33.3% higher in Jozi than in any other major urban centre not built upon a significant waterway? It's true. I swear. I read it in a British tabloid.

Having recently spent two years comfortably cocooned in small town America, I'm only too aware of how little much of the outside world knows about this country. The American channel I used to work for has a
massive battalion of employees descending on World Cup country. It has also apparently issued a recommendation to its staff to stay in their hotels when not working.

Given that said corporation is headquartered in a small town which many say is "best viewed through the rear-view mirror", I find the recommendation, if it's true, to be utterly astounding. In fact I don't believe it is true.

Contrary to the global stereotype, the best Americans are some of the sharpest people in the world. The fact they have bought most tickets in this World Cup proves the point.

Of course I have only lived in Johannesburg, city of terror and dread, virtually all my life, so don't have the in-depth knowledge of say, an English broadsheet journalist who has been in the country for the weekend, but nevertheless I will share some of my observations gleaned over the years.

Any foreign tourist or media representative who is worried about his safety in South Africa should have a word with the Lions rugby fans from last year, or the Barmy Army cricket supporters (lilywhite hecklers by
day, slurring, lager-fuelled lobsters by night). They managed just fine, just like the hundreds of thousands of fans who have streamed into the country over the past fifteen years for various World Cups, Super 14
matches, TriNations tests and other international events. Negligible crime incidents involving said fans over said period of time.

Trivia question: which country has hosted the most global sporting events over the past decade and a half? You don't need me to answer that, do you?

In addition. Don't fret when you see a gaggle of freelance salesmen converge on your car at the traffic lights (or robots as we like to call them) festooned with products. You are not about to be hijacked. Here in
Mzansi (nickname for SA) we do a lot of our purchasing at robots. Here you can stock up on flags, coat hangers, batteries, roses for the wife you forgot to kiss goodbye this morning and a whole host of useful
merchandise.

Similarly, that guy who runs up as you park the rental car outside the pub intends no malice. He's your car guard. Give him a buck or two and your vehicle will be safe while you refuel for hours on our cheap,
splendid beer. Unless someone breaks into it, of course.

We drive on the left in this country. Exercise caution when crossing the road at a jog-trot with 15 kilograms of camera gear on your back. Exercise common sense full stop. Nothing more. Nothing less. If you want to leave wads of cash in your hotel room like our Colombian friends, don't be surprised if it grows wings.

Bottomline. Get out there and breathe in great lusty lungfuls of this amazing nation. Tuck into our world-class food and wines. Disprove the adage that white men can't dance at our throbbing, vibrant night-clubs.
Learn to say hello in all eleven official languages. Watch at least one game in a township. You will not be robbed and shot. You will be welcomed like a lost family member and looked after as if you are royalty. Ask those Bulls rugby fans who journeyed to Soweto recently.

With a dollop of the right attitude, this country will change your life. It's Africa's time. Vacate your hotel room. Join the party.

Waka waka eh eh.

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