Share

Brazil has Haitians euphoric

Port-au-Prince – Walking the streets of Port-au-Prince these days may lead you to think you are in Brazil as Haitians starved of joy and excitement since January's devastating earthquake are caught up in World Cup fever.

Green and yellow flags line the streets, while children and adults alike sport Kaka jerseys and even the ubiquitous graffiti against President Rene Preval and MINUSTAH has for once been supplanted by freshly painted signs in support of the World Cup's most storied team.

Argentina is Haiti's second favourite outfit, but the bitter rivalry between the two South American teams does not transfer over to their euphoric fans who seem united like never before.

"This is just a huge party for everyone," said Teddy Maindre, an Argentina fan who nonetheless waited impatiently for Brazil's first game on Tuesday against the football minnows from the hermit state of North Korea.

The atmosphere everywhere resembled that of a final, with huge speakers blasting the cup's soundtracks, girls in green and yellow makeup and nails, and young boys wrapped in flags improvising acrobatics on their motorcycles.

The World Cup, which kicked off last Friday in South Africa, comes just five months after Haiti was left shattered by a massive earthquake that killed up to 300 000 people and flattened the capital Port-au-Prince.

Port-au-Prince's main stadium, which became a refugee camp in the aftermath of the quake, now welcomes people with a few cents in their pockets to watch the games on giant screens.

Inevitable victory

Francois Mackenson, the young founder of a local Brazil fan club, has set up a flat screen in the shell of a collapsed building in Delmas 57, one of the devastated capital's many sprawling slums.

"This year we didn't get to have a carnival because of the earthquake," Mackenson lamented. But he told AFP that Brazil's "inevitable" victory would make up for that. "It's giving us the strength to start again," he said.

Mackenson struggled to explain why the Brazil team in particular had won the support and adulation of most Haitians.

"I don't know why Brazil," he said. "It's a blood thing, because Brazilians also came from Africa," he added, before smiling when asked why Haitians didn't then choose to support an African team like Ivory Coast and saying they can't compare.

Haitians' love for Brazil is strictly limited to football as the 1 300-strong Brazilian contingent which leads the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti has often been criticised for its use of violence.

"We don't mix football and politics," said Mackenson.

World Cup fever, however, is not pleasing everyone here as some believe the sense of collective exhilaration over the tournament will delay political efforts to mend the dangerously dysfunctional nation.

"The World Cup is going to give Preval a break," said Hans Muselaire, a high school professor speculating that when the party is over the anti-government demonstrations will escalate out of control.

Glued to TV sets

"If Brazil wins the night of the final, who knows, there might even be a coup," he said.

During the game there is some daylight in the perpetual traffic jam that is Port-au-Prince as Haitians of all ages glue themselves to TV sets and radios in refugee camps and street-side businesses.

Even some of the police officers brought in to beef up security on the streets confess that Brazil is their team.

"Because it's the best team of course," explained Peguito Merisier, one young officer who said he would have to watch the fans not the game to make sure the excitement didn't translate into drink-fuelled trouble.

"Haitians go crazy for football, they forgot the earthquake already," said Merisier, pointing to people dancing and waving flags among the rubble.

"All that's on their minds now is Brazil and Argentina. But when the cup is over, it will be politics."

For 1.5 million people still displaced by the earthquake and struggling to eke out an existence, the earthquake is hardly forgotten but the World Cup may provide a chance to try and move on.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE