2010: The glue for a dangerously divided nation

It’s no secret that South Africa is once again at a crossroads. Racial tensions between black and white South Africans have reached their highest levels since the 1993 assassination of South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani which threatened to derail the country’s first democratic elections.

This weekend’s murder of white far-right leader Eugene Terre’Blanche has sent shock waves across South Africa and prompted nervous calls for calm. With the Soccer World Cup just over two months away, we would do well to remember another momentous sporting event which provided the glue for a nation that had been dangerously divided in the build-up to the 1994 elections.

That tournament demonstrated that sport has the power to overcome social tensions. For one glorious month, South Africa’s extremists (black and white) were sidelined by millions of moderates who were determined to see their country succeed — on and off the field. The Rugby World Cup also served notice that South Africa was back in the international arena and had the will (and capacity) to host mega sporting events.

However, in the years that followed, South Africa appears to have lost its way in terms of striving for reconciliation. The result is that a new breed of extremists has emerged. And it has taken the murder of Terre’Blanche to force this country’s leaders to take a long and hard look at themselves. President Jacob Zuma led the way, appealing for calm following “this terrible deed”.

And Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa described the crime as isolated and said the Soccer World Cup would not be affected. Nevertheless, once again South Africa’s international image has taken a battering. Outside the court in sleepy Ventersdorp on Tuesday, the international media relayed images of South Africans at each other’s throats. One of the banners read: “2010, 65 days till chaos”.

As we attempt to regroup, let’s remember what 1995 did for this country — and its global image — and remind ourselves that the Soccer World Cup is eclipses the Rugby World Cup, or another world cup, for that matter. We have a unique opportunity to forge a unified patriotism and show other nations, which are grappling with similar social problems that they can be overcome. It happened in 1995 and it will surely happen again this year.

Let’s use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to plot a new course for South Africa and the rest of the continent and let’s enjoy the journey together.