Creating an African Feel at International Rugby Matches in SA

What makes one rugby stadium different from the next? If you are on the field and the stadium is packed to capacity, then there is very little difference between Kingspark, Newlands, Twickenham, Stad de France, Ellispark, Millenium Stadium, Sydney, Ballymore, Perth, etc. If you are in the stadium, you are not able to see its location relative to its surrounding area, whether it is close to the sea, in the middle of London or Paris or Sydney, etc. I believe you will agree with me that it is the crowd that creates the difference, i.e. the crowd creates the atmosphere at rugby games. And today with easy international travel, a big part of the crowd is your own supporters, so one stadium must surely feel like the other.

My feeling is that during a game, there is not enough of an intimidating feel for teams playing against the Bokke in South Africa, and at the same time enough of a motivating force for the Bokke. We could use the Vuvuzele, but I heard it is banned in some stadiums because it creates too much of a noise (if there is something like that). There is probably some "Whities" who considered it too African to be used at a rugby game, considered a “Whity’s game”. It is used more widely at soccer matches, considered to be more an African game. Or maybe it is just us “Whities” that watch rugby, who have not yet caught onto it. Whatever the case, we must still create a (South) African feel at rugby games that intimidates opponents and, at the same time, motivates the Bokke.

African Drums: I would like to think we can make a real African atmosphere by inviting drummers with their African drums into the stadium, at least 100 but hopefully as many as 200, spread on all four sides of the field in roughly equal groups. If the crowd goes quiet, it is their responsibility to keep the vibe going, if the Bokke score points, it is up to them to cement this into the minds and hearts of the opposition. If the Bokke must defend, they should create an atmosphere that motivates the players to continue defending till they are “last man standing”. It thus becomes a matter of psychology, which is as much part of the game as skill.

To support this, one should play songs “indigenous” to South Africa, such as Impi, Scatterlings of Africa, Mendoza, Zola, etc. over the sound system. This has been part of cricket (and probably rugby as well) for a while and I believe successful to some degree, making playing against SA in SA so much harder.

With Kingspark in KwaZulu-Natal, i.e. the Zulu Kingdom, it would be fitting to get this started here. So that the next time the All Blacks, Wallabies, English, French, Lions, etc play against the Bokke at Kingpark, they would really feel as if they are playing against the whole nation, not just the 15 men on the field. And this they should feel right throughout the game not just at the start or after halftime.

The Memories of Songs

My favourite songs all evoke specific memories of my past; or rather, I associate some good memories in my past with certain songs. It could simply have been the song that played on the radio while I was in the car, or a song that was played over and over and over again by others. Some of these are:

• Joyride by Roxette – played over and over and over by a girl when we were on a school tour to Natal when I was in St 4. You guessed it, she got the nickname Joyride on that tour.
• Go West by the Pet Shop Boys. It played on the radio when we left Oudtshoorn in the small Karoo, South Africa, after an athletics camp in January "19-voertsek". Now for all that don’t know, the Small Karoo is dry (semi arid) and it gets hot in summer, easily above 45C at midday – even 9pm it is still above 30C. Go West triggers that specific memory.
• The song that is playing now: “Lisa se Klavier” by Koos Kombuis (Afrikaans song by a South African musician) reminds me of one camping trip in St 8 when we were sitting around a “kamp vuur” (camp fire) in the bush. The one guy pulled out his guitar and started playing it – To imagine it, close your eyes and imagine looking at the stars (the location is 100km from the nearest city and 30km from the nearest town): it is a clear night with all the stars in full armour and just the sounds of the night, the fire, sea in the distance, and the guitar playing: "Lisa se Klavier". Ahh, it takes me back to a great time.
• Fight the moonlight by Leann Rimes reminds me of the time I worked as a trucker’s assistant and going to the movies with this big truck. I mean, have you ever seen someone take a Mercedes Benz truck to go to the movies?

Then there are also the songs that remind me of certain movies. Yes, most often it was a song in the movie, or the actual theme song, but hearing that song reminds me of the movie:

• Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls will always remind me of City of Angels. Why do I remember it – a good friend of mine at that time (unfortunately we have lost touch since) was enthralled by the movie.
• The theme song of Titanic: My Heart will Go On (by Celine Dion) reminds me of freedom and let your spirit fly away – follow your dreams, as Jack did in the movie.

Ag, then there is just other songs that evoke emotion in me – Impi by Johny Clegg will always remind me of South Africa, my only home. I am passionate about this country, this continent and all her people. If I close my eyes as I listen to the song, I can see the Zulu warriors / boys playing in the field, proud of themselves, their nation and this country. My association is probably with the scenes from the movie Shaka Zulu that I watched as a boy growing up in the Eastern Cape. Other songs that remind me of home: Scatterlings of Africa (also by Johny Clegg and Savuka), Africa (by Toto) to name but a few. Not to mention the songs that reminds me of my university days – the best days so far in my life. It will not be the best days of my life, because I know that those still lies ahead of me.

There is the songs that Supersport used in their ads on TV: Its my Life (by Bon Jovi), Real Good Time (by Anke Pietrangeli). Then there is also the song: More Than a Feeling by Boston that SAB (SABMiller now) used for one Castle Lager advert: South Africans having a braai on the roof of an apartment block in Manhatten, New York. And I don’t even drink beer.

A discussion on songs won’t be complete without mentioning the reason for most songs being written: Love. It my case it is not so much love, but romance. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh will always remind me of the formal dance I attended with a woman friend at varsity. At another dance, it was: Lou Vega's Mambo No 5 – not a great song, but we had a great time that night. I can’t even think of all the other songs that remind me of other girl friends, or the songs that just reminds me of what is still to come.

That is why I find songs remarkable – it is my trigger so good memories. It reminds me everyday that today is another day to make new memories. Just writing this is another memory for the future. Songs make me dream, and it is these dreams that keep me working and toiling to reach each day.

Redrawing the Sport Boundaries in South Africa

The current debate in South African rugby raises the question: Why is rugby, and probably many other sporting codes, still administered according to the old era boundaries? Why is there three administrations for rugby in the Western Cape, i.e. Western Province, Boland and South Western Districts instead of one administration? Why is rugby in the Eastern Cape not administered by one union instead of two, with sub-districts according to the district boundaries? The boundaries of the three administrations in Gauteng, i.e. Vaal Triangle, Central Gauteng (i.e. the Lions) and Northern Gauteng (Blue Bulls) are still based on the old apartheid era boundaries. Why not just have one administration with sub-districts based on metro and district boundaries?

Those in power of these unions don’t want to change for fear of losing their power, with their arguments centered on the rich history, culture and traditions of these unions which would be lost in the process. In the process, they retain their power, the old era culture and traditions of selectivity and exclusion, thereby ensuring rugby stays mostly White. But it is time to create new history, new traditions and new rugby culture that is in line with the new South Africa. It would support the integration of “Black” and “White” school and amateur rugby in each province. Furthermore, it may help address the sustainability and transformation issues of professional rugby in South Africa. The chaos of having 14, then 6, then 14 teams in the Currie Cup in the last three years, as well as the current impasse on the selection of the five Super 14 teams, are clearly signs for change which we should grab with both arms.

My suggestion: Let us have one professional team per province, with the possibility that Gauteng can have two. Until they are strong enough, my suggestion is that Limpopo be incorporated into either Mpumalanga or the second Gauteng team. There would thus be 9 professional teams. Let them compete for the Currie Cup, with the top 5 teams qualifying to play in the Super 14. Drop the Vodacom Cup that nobody really cares about, and allow the 5 teams to contract players from the other 4 unions for their Super 14 campaigns. I believe this would be advantageous for ensuring sponsors spread their monies to all 9 franchises since there is always a chance for their team to qualify for the more prestigious Super 14. There are many more advantages for such a structure, which, but for space, I would list here.

I could then proudly support my Eastern Cape team in the Currie Cup, and hopefully in the Super 14, if and when they qualify and not be “forced” to support the Stormers, Sharks or Blue Bulls, none of which I support, nor do they care about my support anyway.

It is time the leaders of rugby administration took the bald step and ensure that South African rugby become fully part of the new South Africa and ensure the long term sustainability of rugby in a multicultural South African society. The new cricket franchise system has shown that this could be done.

Measuring the Progress of Transformation

How should we measure the progress of transformation in South Africa? There are many that use the situation in South Africa under Apartheid as a benchmark, but this is actually ridiculous. How can one compare freedom enjoyed today by millions of South Africans to a situation where the majority of South Africans were virtual prisoners in their own country? Similarly, one cannot compare access to services since millions were denied the most basic of services under Apartheid, while at the same time, the minority received services that compares to the best in the world.

Another method of comparison that is often used is the experiences of other African countries, especially their experiences since independence. The argument is that South Africa was also colonized, suffered injustice and had to fight for its freedom. But the South African experience and situation is unique in Africa. South Africa is the most “Westernised” country in Africa. It has a large first world component, and even poverty in South Africa does not compare to poverty in the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. Should we then compare our progress to the experiences of industrialized countries? No. South African history, the existing power relationships, the heterogeneous society with its many cultures and languages does not compare to the mostly homogenous societies found in industrial countries. I could find many more arguments against using African countries and industrialised countries as benchmarks, but it would only sidetrack the issue.

So, if we cannot benchmark ourselves against our past, neither against other African countries, nor against industrialized countries, what should our benchmark of progress be? My suggestion: THE FUTURE. Future generations would ask the question we ask of previous generations: have they done enough? Have they made enough effort, no, not just effort but produced actual outcomes, to ensure that all people in South Africa would live in a better country? We should continually ask ourselves how we want South Africa to be in 10 or 20 years.

Every generation blames previous generations for all the problems they face. Many people today blame the previous government of Mr Mandela for slow transfer of land to those forcefully removed since 1913. Similarly, many blame Mr PW Botha for not changing the political situation in South Africa in 1984/5 as intended. We can go back and blame Mr Verwoerd, Mr JBM Hertzog, Mr Jan Smuts, Mr Cecil J. Rhodes, even Mr Shaka Zulu or Mr Jan van Riebeeck for all the troubles we experience today. However, we often forget that most of these people thought that the decisions they made were in the best interest of South Africa (as it was then) at that respective time, based on the benchmarks they had at these respective periods in history. Slavery was accepted practice till the early 19th century. Colonialism was accepted practice till the mid 20th century, in the process denying the majority of Africans the right to vote on who governs them. Not only were Europeans culprits of these “wrongs”, but many African societies’ committed accepted practices within their societies and with other societies, such as slavery, war and exploitation. We can say with hindsight that these decisions and practices were wrong.

In this light, we must ask: What would future generations think of the choices and decisions we make today? Would they say our Human Rights practice is sufficient or too lenient? If it were determined in 15-20 years that our idea of Human Rights is the main cause of the lack of discipline and order and the subsequent breakdown of society and world wars, would they convict us of this? What about the rights of animals? When the majority of animal species become extinct due to our preoccupation with economic development and using natural resources for our immediate economic benefit, would they convict us of not doing enough to conserve the environment or overusing resources? If the polar ice caps were to start melting, would we be blamed for not listening to warnings we have today? Closer to home, if we have civil strife in South Africa in 10-15 years because of insufficient land redistribution or slow empowerment of Africans due to low, but accepted, targets today, would we be convicted and “sentenced” for not doing enough?

Zimbabwe is an example where those that cried: “you are going too fast” in the 1980s and early 1990s, are the same people that blame the current government for not doing enough in the 1980s and 1990s. However much the Zanu-PF wants to blame Britain and the USA for this, they should take responsibility for the fact that they did not push hard enough to transform the economic landscape in this period when they had the power to do so. Indeed, they were doing well according to the benchmarks of their era, especially against other African countries.

How do we measure or benchmark against the future and ensure that we have done enough? We should take the current situation into account and set ourselves the maximum possible outcome of transformation. For instance, a 50% improvement in public service delivery in one year is probably an ambitious target, but if it is possible, we should aim to achieve it. If we failed by only achieving a 40% improvement, it is still better than achieving a target of 20% which were considered a good reasonable target. In the latter case, future generations would ask: Why did you have a 20% target if you could have achieved 50%? Similarly, setting a target that a third of the SA rugby team must be non-White by 2007 could be viewed as low considering that more than half of all current rugby players in South Africa is non-White. Our target should at least be 50% by 2007 and then 75% by 2011. There are many other examples where our benchmark should be the future.

South Africa has the advantage of knowing the experiences of Zimbabwe and many other African countries, as well as non-African countries like India and Indonesia, to name but a few. We must use this knowledge and decide how we want South Africa to look in 10-20 years time. We must then make sure that we do everything possible to ensure that the next generation won’t have reason to blame us for the problems they experience. Indeed, only if we aim for the near impossible will we be able to make a real change to our world.