Bulls and Sowetans teach us nation building

When South Africa became the rainbow nation in 1994, much was expected of the country that had transformed itself from the egregious system of apartheid into one of the most modern democracies in the world.

Founded upon a Constitution that is the match of any on the planet in terms of guaranteeing the rights of the individual and entrenching the pillars that support a constitutional democracy, it stands as a beacon of hope to all strife-torn countries around the globe.

But that expectation was misplaced, owing to the fact that the overwhelming majority of its people still suffered the effects of the hated separate development and could not rejoice while living in abject poverty. More so when considering that those who would now govern had very little or no experience in running a city — never mind a country.

Sixteen years on South Africans have to face up to the legacy of apartheid as well as the mistakes made by the African National Congress along the way. While the former owed its existence to protecting racial privilege, the latter arises out of self interest and a desire to be in government for its benefits rather than the greater good of guiding all South Africans towards a brighter future.

In this regard the use of BEE and affirmative action — vital in redressing past injustices — has become one of the main reasons why the country is stagnating and service delivery remains so poor. In the case of the former, instead of encouraging a broad base of vibrant black entrepreneurs to be part of a dynamic new economy, it rewarded a handful of fatcats who pocket billions and contribute nothing towards growth. So too AA, which sees thousands of jobs being manned by loyalists while the right black person for the job is disregarded because they lack the right political background.

In both cases the damage to the economy is twofold: Not only aren’t we achieving a stream of dynamic black businessmen and women who will provide thousands of new jobs but the fatcats are simply raking off money which could be better spent by corporates on designated projects to encourage young entrepreneurs. Those projects should be dealt with by business and labour rather than the government. In the case of AA, the example of cronies’ ineptitude is becoming so common that it hardly needs mentioning save to state that it costs billions every time vital services crash leaving businesses and employees stranded.

If we add the major concern of corruption, then it is easy to see how apartheid and misrule have created an enormous gap between where we are and where we should be about now.

Rainbow nation
South Africa is not the rainbow nation but there is no reason why it can’t be.

Yes, we have had sporadic incidents along the way where black and white South Africans have gotten together behind our sports teams but in the main it has been as groups supporting an event or an issue rather than as a united nation.

Self interest, along racial lines, dominates every facet of our society and until that can be broken down we are still living in a society where imaginary walls, based upon race, run down the middle of each decision we make.

That can be overcome in time but it is going to need men and women of goodwill to make it possible.

On Saturday in Soweto we saw how politics and bullshit are retarding the progress of what could become a truly wonderful nation under African skies.

Soweto Saturday
Rugby supporters gave Soweto’s Orlando Stadium the thumbs up on Saturday, but were less complimentary about the traffic flow arrangements that saw many missing part of the game between the Blue Bulls and the Crusaders, reported the South African Press Association.

Fan Louis Christoudoulo said the experience and the facilities at the stadium were “great” but complained that it took one and a half hours to get from the highway to the park and ride facilities.

“The logistics were a disappointment. I arrived halfway through the game,” he said.

As fans streamed out of the stadium after the Bulls’ victory, others complained that there had been no Johannesburg metro policemen in sight to help ease the congestion on the approach to the stadium earlier in the day.

Some said they felt safer at Orlando Stadium than at the usual rugby Ellis Park in Doornfontein. Japie Breytenbach, Jan Vorster and Spies de Beer said they would definitely return to the stadium for other games.

Earlier, Soweto residents stood on the roofs of their houses welcoming the throngs of rugby supporters walking through their streets towards the stadium for the first game of its kind in the vast suburb south of Johannesburg.

Another possible first in Soweto was Gerhard Steyn’s song Baby Tjoklits wafting over the crowds.

Motorists stuck in the gridlock on the way to the stadium had abandoned their cars on the nearby highway and walked to the stadium to be in time for kickoff. Although the mood was upbeat there were mutterings about authorities being caught off guard regarding the traffic flow, which saw thousands of people still outside the stadium after kick off due to traffic jams, as the nearby Soccer City hosted its first official match ahead of the World Cup.

“We left Randburg at 2pm,” said one supporter, walking briskly towards the stadium after 5pm, after having abandoned her car.

“Expect lots of complaints to the letters page of Beeld,” grumbled another. Bus commuters, who had been singing Shosholoza to cope with the traffic jam, also began getting off the buses thinking they would get to the stadium faster, while little children ran alongside them pointing their fingers over their heads in the shape of bulls’ horns.

Bulls supporters hung from bus windows, seeming fascinated by life in the township. Some handed money to the children who shouted “Bulle, Bulle”. Normally a soccer venue, on Saturday the stadium was hosting the rugby match because the Bulls’ traditional territory, Loftus in Pretoria, had been handed over to World Cup organisers.

Orlando stadium is historically the home of soccer teams Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows. In 1976, it was also the venue to which students were marching when the Soweto uprising took place.

Over at Soccer City, President Jacob Zuma presided over the opening of the new stadium followed by a match between BidVest Wits and AmaZulu. For some at the rugby it was an occasion for sartorial splendour, with three University of Pretoria students arriving in black and white suits and sunglasses in an apparent impression of musicians Oasis.

Waldi Immink, Ruan Erasmus, Rudi van Rooyen said they were pleased the game was being held in Soweto and were enjoying the spirit of the day.

“It is nice that everyone is spending time together,” they said.

Paul Motlhamme (26) dressed in a Blue Bulls T-shirt and jersey with sunglasses called it an “epic game”. The Pretoria University student said: “It is lovely for the game to be brought to the people. A game of this stature and magnitude has never been here,” as the stadium hummed with the sound of vuvuzelas.

My observations
As a Blue Bulls fanatic I was obviously thrilled with the result, particularly as it gave me the chance — once again — to rub the nose of that Sharks sucking idiot sub-editor of ours, Siyabonga Ntshingila, in the dirt.

The genius has been on Valium ever since Habana scored that winning try in the death, in the Bulls’ first Super 14 triumph in Durban.

Mind you I’ll give him credit for loyalty — every time we play the Sharks he’s filled with optimism that this is going to be the one. I’m getting up a fund to buy a bottle of helium so we can fill him up with that and fly him above the stadium during games.

His knowledge of South African rugby however is out of the top drawer.

On Saturday I was all choked up when I saw Dr Irvin Khoza and Oregan Hoskins standing on the turf of Orlando Stadium and explaining what a giant step this is for South African rugby and soccer. How important this is to our future development.

Nation building which our politicians somehow manage to destroy at every turn.

Naas Botha appeared to be very emotional as were the commentators who may have shed the odd tear or two.

In the stands the crowd was predominantly white but there was no shortage of black supporters who sang along while those groot manne from Pretoria blew vuvuzelas — probably for the first time at a rugby game.

The atmosphere seemed to be electric and after a while it might have seemed a lot like Loftus to the Bulls on the field.

Most importantly of all one of the most important games of the season — soon to be followed by the most vital — was played in what was considered previously a no-go area as far as whites were concerned.

Soweto home of the Bulls hosting the Super 14 Final — it brings tears to your eyes.

Of course there were problems with traffic and others we will hear about this week but if this plays a small part in making Soweto a South African city rather than a black city then Dr Khoza and the Bulls deserve to be rewarded for their incredible achievement.

That, Mr President, is nation building.