National News
Pride dominates SA papers
2010-06-11 13:22
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Johannesburg - Pride and nationalism were the dominate themes in the opinion sections of newspapers across the country on Friday, the day of the opening match of the 2010 World cup.
"Today, South Africa finds itself at one of the most significant moments in its young democracy because it feels like we've been afforded another miracle in the lifespan of our nation," read an opinion piece in The Times.
"We have defied so many negative sentiments and expectations, contradicting the nay-sayers and prophets of doom who contended that we could never manage to deliver on FIFA's demands."
The Star newspaper columnist Jovial Rantao said the World Cup would open a new chapter in the country's history.
"Today we will go to bed and wake up tomorrow with renewed hope that the national unity and nation building that has been seen in the build-up to the World Cup will be maintained; that it will be used to build a stronger and united nation," said Rantao.
The website the Daily Maverick argued that the event was a watershed event in the country's race relations. It said that the Bafana march in Sandton was an example of where the country could be headed.
'One cause, one goal'
"It was at the same time heart-warming and downright exhilarating to watch the multicoloured tide of happy humanity clog the streets to demonstrate just how much this country wants, indeed needs to stand together for one cause, one goal," read their editorial.
"Shoulder to shoulder, black, white, Asian or coloured, from rich owners of Sandton mansions to Alex shack dwellers for once believed in the same thing and for once acted as one. Yes, it was brief. But it felt good."
"And for maybe the first time, white South Africans are changing their behaviour to accommodate black people, without being coerced by government," read the editorial.
Many newspapers made much of this World Cup's status as a first for the African continent.
"Today Mother Africa will rise with great pride from her rugged slumber to shed a tear, not because famine or war has claimed one of her own -as routinely happens - but because of the joy that has invaded her bosom," read the Sowetan.
Business Day, a newspaper not usually known for its soccer-coverage, got into the spirit of the World Cup by changing its familiar, red mast-head to the green and yellow of Bafana Bafana.
The newspaper said that the World Cup would be a chance to learn how "ordinary" the country is.
"Our guests, our most welcome visitors, are going to teach us how ordinary we are," read their editorial.
Accompanying many trumpeting editorials were de rigeur disclaimers that the World Cup would not solve the country's many problems.
Business Day, Rantao and The Times all noted the country's problems with healthcare, education and unemployment and admitted that the World Cup was unlikely to make a substantial change in them.
'Compulsory national happiness'
"There will be a hangover. The stadiums and the airports and the roads will have to be paid for," read Business Day's editorial.
"In the meantime we want to enjoy the football and enjoy hosting our guests."
Amidst the editorials attesting to national pride, contrary voices were few and far between.
One notable exception was Business Day columnist Eusebius McKaiser.
"Today marks the beginning of compulsory national happiness and collective amnesia for four weeks," he wrote.
"The race war has been temporarily called off. Beggars have been swept off the streets even in cities run by self-declared liberals."
"All of this belatedly raises the question of whether the World Cup is worth it. I don't think so," said McKaiser.
"Whether myth or reality, many see the World Cup as a chance to bring about genuine and lasting social cohesion and permanent postracial nirvana."
"Well, sorry fellow citizens, but all of this is one big self-delusional, self-inflicted half truth, to put it mildly so that I do not spoil your excitement too much," wrote McKaiser.