Bafana Bafana Unites

Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON) was held here in South Africa this year. The winner of this cup is not only the best team in Africa, but will also represent Africa in The FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil 2014. To be in the host country for this tournament and not go to a game would have been silly, so several PCV’s got tickets for the quarterfinal game. Several weeks after buying tickets, South Africa qualified for the quarterfinal game. We were stoked! I have never been to a professional soccer game before so this was a perfect way to experience one!

The game was in Durban at the 54,000 people Moses Mabhida Stadium. This game was definitely a nail biter; it was so fun to watch! After full regulation time and 30 minutes over time, South Africa lost to Mali 3-1 in a shoot out. I have never seen and heard so many vuvuzela's! For those of you who are unsure of what a vuvuzela is, it's a long horn that is really loud, annoying, and extremely popular here at the soccer games.

Oh and the wave was so fun to be a part of and I have never seen one work so well! I found it odd that most South Africans call a wave a Mexican wave. To be honest, as much fun as the game was to watch, it was not my favorite part of the night. Being part of the crowd and the excitement was the best part for me. I have never felt such a united feeling in South Africa as I did that night in the stadium. Everyone came together supporting and cheering on their country. We sang the national anthem with the crowd and it was such a cool feeling. It’s hard for me to explain why this was such a cool thing to experience, its like regardless of being a post conflict country it didn’t matter. Everyone was one, altogether, singing their anthem.

Besides of all the fun I am having, I have nothing but good thoughts about 2013. I feel strongly that it is my year here and I can’t wait to really dig in. I have been helping the welfare plan a Golf Day that is finally coming up this weekend. Tomorrow I start teaching Life Orientation at a secondary school by my house. I will be teaching twice a week; 8 classes, grades 8-10. My main focus will be on HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. I am also still helping Jules and his wife with some stuff at the crèche and teaching Grassroots Soccer at the primary school by their house. I hope all is well at home and miss you all like crazy!