A cacophony of noise as vuvuzelas and kuduzelas, whistles and drums provided a unique orchestra
on Friday afternoon as Rhodes University staff all became avid Bafana Bafana supporters.
The World Cup
A cacophony of noise as vuvuzelas and kuduzelas, whistles and drums provided a unique orchestra
on Friday afternoon as Rhodes University staff all became avid Bafana Bafana supporters.
The World Cup
opening ceremony for the the whole contingent of staff was organised by the Human Resources Division and two of the main unions; the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
It was a scene that would have made any South African proud. Young and old were clad in football shirts that shouted South Africa!
with bold yellow and green colouring, while others adorned their faces with small painted flags and waved much larger ones in joyful support.
The ceremony began with beautiful singing by the Rhodes Staff Choir, which was followed by a speech by the Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University, Dr Saleem Badat.
He began by thanking Nehawu and NTEU for their support. He declared: “We have been brought together by these organisations and I hope you are all infected by the excitement here today.
If you are not, you must be halfdead!” Words which brought forth a roar of approval which increased to a deafening crescendo when he proceeded to blow, quite skilfully, his own vuvuzela.
The Rhodes staff then proceeded to engage in a hugely successful diski dance with many joining in. Among the dancing supporters were a few recognisable faces such as Prof Guy Berger, the head of Journalism and Media Studies, who also blew his vuvu with fervour and not a small amount of skill, and Jill Moeller, a Rotary Ambassadorial Holder from the United States of America.
She remarked “It is such a great time to be in South Africa. As the World Cup slogan goes, ‘it is time’. It is South Africa’s time and I feel so privileged to be here and to have witnessed it.”
The Rhodes staff then proceeded to play a number of soccer matches. Everyone crowded around to show off their skills.
Children sat in trees blowing small whistles and shouting for whoever executed a successful kick or scored a goal.
Among the supporters was Chimwemwe Mitochi, an administration assistant in the Vice-Chancellor’s office. “I can really feel the soccer fever now like never before.
I am very happy that the university decided to adapt our work hours as it gives us a chance to support our football team.”
The ceremony ended with a raffle where all the tickets where thrown into a hat and 20 lucky ones received Bafana Bafana soccer shirts.
Gugu Ngodwana, a fervent Bafana Bafana supporter remarked that the ceremony had been “really interesting” as it allowed the people to show their support.
He believes that South Africa has a very bright future ahead of them in this year’s 2010 Fifa World Cup and reminds everyone “to stay positive in your support of the Bafana Bafana team”.
