and then June 11th 2010 arrived...

So i realise i missed a few days, but I think the whole of SA took the day off on Saturday. After 6 years of anticipation our boys made us proud and we deserved a lazy day. (Read: collective nationwide hangover) And on Sunday I just never got close to an internet connection – as we spent the day outside in the cold, having a braai – just to show that our patriotism was still running high.

So here is how my Bafana Day went down. After I failed to get my hands on a Bafana Shirt (all sold out! awesome news, except for me) in my I'm Loving Cape Town tee-shirt (also very true, especially amidst all the gees) I met up with my buddy M and we made the walk down town from where he lives in Tamboerskloof to Greenpoint / Waterfront.

This is where we would meet our friends (most of whom had to work till lunchtime) and where we wanted to watch the game.

The atmosphere was electric. From 12, when the noon gun set off thousands of vuvuzela calls all around us - you could feel that everyone was, for once, united by one goal. The interesting thing about the call of the vuvuzela is that no matter where or when you blow it; there WILL be at least one answer to your call. We made our way down town amidst armies of people all dressed in yellow. When we realised that the masses outside the MTN tent on Clock Tower Square at the V&A would not allow all of our mates to make it inside with us we managed to hook up a last minute (pimp) table at neighbourhood, our local hang out on Long Street (its good t have connections, thanks Stormy) so we made our way there. I was mesmerised by the hoards of people on the streets, the gees in the air was not something I am used to. I felt like a tourist in my own city, snapping pictures and taking videos everywhere we went...

Long street was amazing as we made our way upstream against a sea of bafana supporters. And that is when my trigger happiness caught up with me and the battery on my camera died, just before we reached our destination...

I have never seen the hood this packed. Everything was yellow and the call of the vuvuzela was ever present. Our front and centre table provided a great spot from where to watch the opening ceremony – a showcase that made me really proud. When TKZee took to the stage the crowd at neighbourhood erupted and everyone was on their feet dancing. Everything, from man’s 1^st steps from Africa to the world to the Dung beetle more popular than R Kelly – South Africa put on a showcase like no other. By the time the national anthems were being sung i had goosebumps EVERYWHERE it was AMAZING being amongst hundreds of proud South Africans. Even my friends who aren’t usually very patriotic and do not support team sports, were in it to win it on Friday.

The game started off slow and a lil messy from our side, it must have been nerves. This is the biggest moment in these boys’ careers, no LIVES. Everything you could ever dream off as a kid kicking a ball around in the dust... Representing your country, at the world cup, in the opening game, on home soil... And when Tshabalala put that Jubulani ball in the corner of the net, I thought we might all just fall thru the floor down into the shops below. I was up on my chair, waving my flag, people were dancing and hugging and screaming and shouting. In that moment, magic was made...

I might be (very) bias, but in my opinion that was one of the best opening goals ever, and the boys really made us proud. From there on it felt almost surreal as we lead the South Americans for the next 25 minutes. Our boys played their hearts out, Khune was a WALL and i think even though the Mexicans got one past him and we drew the match – it was more than good enough for us. Once the game ended the place quickly ran empty, i think everyone was on such a high we all just wanted to get out and onto the streets. Down on Long Street they had clearly stopped traffic access as the street seemed to be one big yellow river of people. The sounds and sights were amazing and as we sped through town H hooting at everything and everyone, including cops and traffic officers, and me blowing his broken vuvuzela with all my lungs, waving the little flag. People were dancing and celebrating everywhere and we got a great view of the fireworks on the parade as we sat in the parking lot at Disa Park (arguably the best view in town).

The boys all came over to my house for a bit of an after party and we continued to listen to the sounds of pride and victory outside. At the end of June 11^th 2010 Soccer had won, Africa had won, and South Africa had shown all her critics what she was capable of. As i scanned thru facebook on my phone i didn’t see ONE negative comment, and it was GREAT to see young opinionated, hard to please, SAFAS so united and proud.

Ayoba Mzansi, Ayoooooba!

(more videos as soon as im at a better internet connection)