Went for a walk on Durban Beach at ten this morning and came home at 5.30 pm! The weather outstanding, the atmosphere electric and the Company awesome!! So blessed to be in such a beautiful city with my beautiful family and special friends xx
- Dawn, Durban

I was supposed to go to the Drakensberg on holiday – but I’ve cancelled the trip!! There is NO way I am leaving JHB. This place is soccer mad and it’s amazing. Only standing space in Sandton Square and the rivalry tonight between Brazil, Argentina and Holland supporters singing their songs, waving their flags and having a true SA party was unbelievable. So staying in JHB until the end of the World Cup – it’s the place to be!!!!!
- Natasha, Johannesburg

I was in South Africa about two weeks ago and I can tell you that the soccer fever there is indescribable, flags everywhere and the buzz. Almost everyone were wearing bafana bafana shirts. Oh man, it was something I will never forget.
-Werner Le Roux

AYOBAAAA!!! Magic is in the air!!! It’s great to be South African today!!!
- Marlize Strydom

No vuvuzela here but maybe i can toot on the didgeridoo???
- Renay Naidoo, Australia

Regardless of the outcome… I am still PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN…. My flag continues to hang on my balcony here in France…& will do so until the very end of the WC…
- Thalia Peroglou-Guerra

Keep the flag flying and the vuvuzelas blowing. Whatever the outcome, to date it has been a great World Cup and we should all be proud of the way SA has shown the world what a beautiful coutry it is.
- Rose Kranich

AWESAFRIKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Sadie Singh

HOMESICK!!!!!
- Ina Botha (and many others)

Congratulations to Bafana Bafana from all South Africans in Lugano, Switzerland. Viva!
- Chris Mathew

After Bafana’s loss to Uruguay:

still proud of our boys n proud of our beautiful country….at least our boys make a special appearance with singing like they did oh!!! priceless i reckon….love my peeps and love Africa…
- Val Inja

Hey it’s not over till the last vuvu blast. We still got one more shot at this. Go Bafana. Show us what you got.
- Pieter Beets

Hi everyone,
Over the past weekend 12 of us from the Greek community of George drove through to P.E. to watch a soccer match between Greece and Korea. Other than the fact that we were beaten and that Greece played a terrible game, it was an experience of a life time.

We arrived on Friday and went straight to the Greek centre.  Everything was beautifully organized.  Everyone was wearing blue and white and then there were those who really added to the excitement by going all the way and wore the Greek flag in different ways and had painted faces, painted cloths or overalls and there were Greek flags everywhere to be seen.  It was really a beautiful sight. Everyone at the centre walked down to the stadium together.  Tremedous spirit.

The community of Port Elizabeth can be truly commended for their fantastic performance which carried on from Friday morning and ending with bouzoukia very late on Saturday evening. The spirit was wonderful.  I cannot imagine what it would have been like had Greece won. Let’s hope the next games will be successful.

At the stadium, about 7 of us had seats in the front of a whole block booked out with Koreans and were sitting a few seats away from their two drummers.  I never realized how loud drums could be beaten.  We were wearing ear plugs but my ears still feel sensitive.

A Greek supporter, who we did not know, did a fantastic job of being a cheer leader for the few of us.  He did not stop for a moment and was an absolute delight to have around.  He was so enthusiastic that when we left the stadium and I had taken out my ear plugs I saw him coming towards me, I stopped him to congratulate him on doing so well.  He grabbed me and kissed me on the cheek and screamed something into my ear which hurt so much, then he pulled me away and kissed me on the other cheek and did the same into the other ear.  I swear that his decibels were twice the level of the vuvuzelas and I really cannot tell you what he said to me. My ears are still sensitive, but he poor guy was so enthusiatic that I could not but admire him.

There is no discernible “little South Africa” in New York, the melting pot of the world, but on Friday 11 June the country claimed its piece of the pot when pockets of South Africans exploded with jubilant national pride onto the surprised streets.

Mark Henegan, owner of Madiba Restaurant. (Images: Philippa Garson)

Madiba Restaurant, a South African eatery and bar in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, was one of several venues on Friday that like magnets across the city drew South Africans for the opening game of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. They came during the morning rush hour to celebrate this defining moment in the history of their country and their continent, seeking as many fellow citizens as they could in a city of over 8-million citizens and a myriad ethnicities.

Madiba did not disappoint. There wasn’t much wiggle-room in the joint, renowned for its boerewors rolls, trendy Afro-chic décor and colourful renditions of its iconic namesake, Nelson Mandela. Clad in football or rugby shirts and swathed in the colours of the flag, South Africans tooted vuvuzelas and sang the national anthem along with their kith and kin at home, some with tears pouring down their cheeks. Never mind that it was 10 in the morning when the game began here: the beer flowed as it would in a township shebeen.

Queen Adam, a 27-year-old au pair, has been living in New York for the last four years, but is planning to go home for a holiday to catch some of the games at the end of the month.

“I’m so excited that the World Cup is in Africa, but more specifically South Africa, because it’s such a global stage,” Adam said emotionally. “Everyone has his or her eyes on the country. So many people in the US are ignorant about South Africa. They see Aids and poverty and suffering but what we are showing them is celebration, life, action.

“Celebration is also such an African thing, something we are so used to doing, but people here don’t know this at all. And now they’re seeing us pull off the biggest celebration in the world.”

Her friend Mimi Maseotsa, also 27, added: “It’s magnificent; it’s beautiful. I feel like crying 24/7. I really want them to win. They deserve it.” Maseotsa, a personal trainer, has been living in Brooklyn for the past five years.

Looking every bit the African queen, Nosipho Cele, who brought along her little boy, Gama, said she felt entirely South African even though she had been living in New York since she was three years old. “I’ll always be South African, even though my community is here. Today is a great day!”

Expatriate South Africans get Fifa World Cup football frenzy at Madiba Restaurant in the heart of New York.

There was little doubt about the allegiance of the rowdy crowd – even of those with more tenuous links to the motherland. Benjamin Stix, a college student whose mother is South African, said he would support South Africa any day over the United States.

He trekked from the top end of Manhattan with his mother to Madiba’s to watch the game. “I just think this is a great opportunity for the country to go far, for the world to see South Africa successfully put on a world class event – it’s really awesome for them.”

His mother, Miriam Lacob Stix, left South Africa 31 years ago. “It feels amazing,” she said. “The concert was incredibly moving. We hung a South African flag out of our window. But I decided that today we had to be with fellow South Africans.”

According to Madiba owner Mark Henegan, the South Africans began trickling in at 6:30am – and didn’t leave until 4am the next morning. He describes the restaurant’s regulars as a “liberal crowd who enjoy cross-culture. These are people who love the whole vibe of Brooklyn and New York. They’re hipsters of all ages, from the young 18-year-old au pairs who exclaim ‘Ag, you’ve got rusks!’ when they arrive, to the kwaito-loving jollers who can drink the night away.”

But this was no regular day at Madiba’s, with the colourful crowd spilling out onto the pavement. The elation after Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the match was followed by tense silence after the Mexicans equalised, and then incessant “oohs” and “aahs” as the South Africans took charge of the second half, vainly trying to score again.

But disappointment at the one-one result soon morphed into elation again, as the bigger picture sank in: the momentous month-long event had just begun and Bafana Bafana had shone on the field. A throng of toyi-toying supporters took to the pavement to do their stuff as cameras and television crews jostled for space.

It has been uplifting to see South Africa – as a place, a phenomenon, an exciting centre of the action – creep into the psyches of navel-gazing Americans for the first time. “You’re from South Africa? Really? Wow, that’s where they’re playing the World Cup”, is a more likely refrain these days than the usual quizzical “South Africa? Oh yeah …”

Suddenly, for football lovers at least, or for those who cannot help but notice the huge Fifa adverts on bus stations here and on their television sets, South Africa is on the map. And football is growing in stature as a national sport as immigrants from South America assert their culture.

Pascal DiNoia, an American businessman, said he didn’t know anything about South Africa until he met Madiba owner, Henegan. “When he came off the boat from South Africa I gave him his first job in the land of opportunity.”

DiNoia soon learned a lot about the country and its legendary statesman from Henegan. “Now I’ve come to regard Nelson Mandela as one of the great minds of the century – a peacemaker. I think it’s time for South Africa to shine. They are no longer in the infancy of their democracy. They need to spur this movement throughout the continent, to show they can really be a beacon of light for the rest of the world.”

Henegan said every non-South African he encountered was “so excited about the country. You won’t believe how many people are saying to me, ‘We want to go to South Africa’.”

Though much of the reporting here on the run-up to the World Cup has questioned the wisdom of South Africa’s hosting such a massive, expensive event when most of its people need jobs, food and houses over fancy stadiums, the country has once again pulled off another rainbow nation moment for itself and for the world.

The 2010 Fifa World Cup will prove a costly output for a nation with so many pressing challenges, but no price can be put on the self esteem of a nation. The positive reverberations will echo long after the incessant, beehive hum of the vuvuzelas has died down.

Last night was amazing. I was just as excited to be going into Soweto as I was for the concert. We hired 2 mini busses and got Soweto locals that my friend knew to drive us. That was really just for convenience sakes. I would have felt completely comfortable driving in by ourselves if we knew where exactly to go. The guys took us to a swanky shebeen that’s been opened next to the power towers.

The people of Soweto were just so excited to see everyone arriving. Children stood on the sides of the streets on our way in and out, singing, clapping, waving and blowing vuvus. On the way out they were in their pj’s, and it was after 12am, but they weren’t going to miss a minute. The entrepreneurs are out in full force, selling world cup paraphernalia, cigarettes, drinks etc.

I went walking down the road with my Black Label quart and the locals and police men found it very funny. They kept looking, smiling and say ‘yo yo yo yo!’

Once in the stadium, it was very civilized with the white steroid bunnies being more of a pain than the locals.

On the way out, there were loads of buses available to take people back to their hotels and drop off points. It was all very well organized.

I haven’t been on the Gautrain yet, but will probably do so next time we go to the airport. It looks lovely and think it’ll be very convenient.

I’m off to put on my Bafana Bafana shirt & watch the opening ceremony! Enjoy it.

Well after a very long search I have found my ex-wife and my daughter – Susan, my ex-wife, is living in Estcourt and my daughter Susan (Susie) is in Durban. I have been in contact with my daughter now for nine months.

I find it fate that two months after my second divorce became absolute I found them on the internet. I am at present trying to save as much as I can so I can go and see my daughter. It is going to take a bit of time as I am on disability benefits and I don’t get much left after paying the bills. I do the English lottery every week in the hope I will win.

I am desperate to see my daughter and when that day comes I will be the happiest man alive. The first time I talked to her I let her know that she has two brothers and two sisters and two grandparents here in the UK (both of my ex-wife’s parents passed over when my ex was a child).

Susie was so happy she could not stop crying and neither could I. She has so many family members here in the UK she has never met, so I hope one day she will come over here to visit…so I would like to ask you for your prayers and wishes of good luck so my dreams of seing my daughter bare fruit.

Thank You.

R.K.Standing

As such a fan of Juluka, I like that SA-People’s newsletters calls us Scatterlings! You have to know that I need African music played loud in my car as I drive around beautiful California here – just to help me live outside of South Africa. One way to remind me who I am and that I can do this!

Another favorite musician is Vusi Masehlela – anything he plays is incredible. He gave a concert here at Stanford University recently and we attended – I got a great big hug when I told him I first heard his song ‘Coming Home’ on SAA, and questioned the flight attendants who told me who he was! I now have 5 of his discs!!

I have visited South Africa annually, or almost annually, since leaving in 1981…. And even brought groups of US tourists back so I could get a fare creatively and visit my mother and family. Mom passed away last June, and the trip in November 2009 back was just the saddest and the strangest.

I have my own business here in the wild west – I practice Flower Essence Therapy, and work with clients around where I live as well as all over the country. There are people interested in this level of deep healing, and they somehow find me. I was originally taught by a friend and Homeopath in Johannesburg in the early 70′s. I have a web site: www.Patsgarden.com

There are newsletters written over the years if you are interested….sort of early forms of blogging. Thanks for listening!

Hi ALL,

We live 30 miles from Chicago. We immigrated to this part of the world 14 years ago. I lived in Jo’burg and my wife is from Norhtcliff.

I grew up in Delmas and recently sent stories to SA Jewish Report on life there in 50′s, 60′ and 70′s. I went to school in Delmas, Springs, Nigel and Matriculated at Damelin in 1968. As you can see have been around.

My sister lives in the city of Chicago. So it is lekker to have family close by.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to get my story out.

Cheers, See you all soon

I gave my word to Lorraine Buthelezi upon departure, I would return to help heal my Homeland from the ravages of hatred = Apartheid.

Within the last week, I sent in my resume for a position – Team leader, whole of Africa Program based in Roodepoort. I grew up in Krugersdorp.

I am in the process of writing my memoirs, which will be turned into a foreign documentary, with high hopes of being awarded the best foreign documentary, with credit to South Africa, for having raised me with such discipline and high moral and ethical values/principles.

I look forward to returning and being of immense value and a positive contribution, on behalf of many.

Bring my terug naar die ou Traansvaal.

With love
Umoja
Aviva

SOON AFTER arriving in South Africa as an immigrant I was sent to the judicial capital, the city of Bloemfontein, for a week’s business. I drove there, the driving being easy as South Africa had fast, open and well surfaced roads.

Some 40 kilometres on the approach to the city the road changed from being two way traffic to a four lane motorway. This was in the latter part of the 1960s. It was at this point in my journey, late on a Sunday afternoon, I was intrigued at the sight of hundreds of cars lining the roads on the verges.

They were parked at ninety degrees to the traffic flow on both sides, facing in. These went on for a huge distance. A sense of anticipation soon joined my feeling of intrigue for surely, there was something of great spectacle and interest about to happen. There were so many people in these cars that I felt whatever I was about to witness was to be a rare treat.

My wonder increased as I began checking the skies and horizons, for surely this must be an air display, or the arrival of a foreign head of state. What was it they were out to see or greet this sunny week end?

It took me a long while to realize I was the show.

I was the spectacle they were out to see. Unbelievable. No fly-by was to happen, no head of state arriving or speed record being attempted. Nothing was to happen.

Not just was it me they were watching and presenting a guard of honour to but any car that was driving along, or truck, or bus, or anything that moved at all. You see, they had nothing to do but sit and stare.

This was Calvernistic South Afica at its’ best. There existed no TV, no theatre or cinemas, no bars were open, no sporting events of any nature were permitted. No school fetes or town parades, no exhibitions and certainly no dancing was allowed.

The one institution that remained open on a Sunday was the church. That you may attend. The country was shut for the day. It was closed down entirely and had been since midnight on Saturday.

It would stay that way until Monday opened the country again. That,then, was why I had a guard of honour into Bloemfontein. No wonder they found mischief, but that is for other tales.

When I was in the plane to reach South Africa, I was wondering what type of life I would find, what type of people and what type of future was there waiting for me and my girl friend. She was living there, she born there; I was born in Italy, Rome and we decide to move where she was said, life was much better…

I had my residence status granted by a common friend in RSA and money to afford the beginning of living in RSA. Was the 1980, and I find so exciting to be in RSA due to all was new, for me, and all was so easy – jobs, houses, cars, living… I start my business thank also to the RSA Government with the policy for immigrant of doubling their money imported to the Country – the Financial Rand, to be honest, was a real deal – my money was becoming all the time I was bringing it in to RSA, the double, and gave me the opportunity to buy a house, shops, cars, so it was a real bargain be in South Africa.

My daughter was born in the 1988, and all was looking fine, but we had to get more safety and security due to the ANC bombs and rumours of when all this was going to change… the world was complaining about apartheid and no one of my foreign friends was aware of the real life in RSA – all were saying, “but you have slaves there? you have freeways there? you have transport there?” Due to my culture and education, and origin, I never be a racist, and I never think to became one of those…I always treat my employers like any other European person and my respect for workers was the same as for all the others, but something happened, one day, the 1989, I remember so well – I kill for the first time a person…

In the dark of my property, four armed people were taking off part of the roof to come inside the house, where my wife was sleeping with my baby daugther. I had no dogs at that time and no very high wall around, so it was easy to jump inside the property and until that day, nobody had tried to come in the house for stealing or whatever. I was forced to alert the thief, by shooting in the air twice. They jumped on me and I shoot, I shoot until 4 of them die. I call the police and they come; they report the incident and they take the bodies away. I was in my right to defend myself and my goods…

After this story, I built a big wall, strong gate, alarm, and so on. Other friends were killed by people who take their cars on the roads, hijackings. It started all over – robbery, attacks and a new war between the black communities started, they burnt hostels, schools, houses, so this just few months before Mandela was getting out from prision…the violence between blacks spread all over the country, and also against white people…like me and many friends. I lost many friends – the last was my closest friend – he had a Travel Agency in Joburg and one son only – an Engineer, who just got his Degree, from Pretoria University. The boy was killed in Louis Botha Avenue for his car; they kill him like an animal with no reason, in cold blood, he never had any weapon. His father, my friend, after this, he lost his mind and he killed himself for the loss of this son. His wife now is alone…it’s a sad story similar to hundreds or thousands; it happened in a few years in RSA.

I was thinking to leave the country, but my wife was asking to try be there and maybe to find a safe place to stay, but there was no safe place to stay. I had a few Restaurants and I was busy running these businesses in the Johannesburg Sandton Area, when one night a gang of robbers come in one restaurant and held all the customers, taking all their money and goods; also they rob the restaurant cash when I arrived there and they were near the door to get out. Again I opened the fire, and a friend with me also, so we killed and wounded these criminals. I was also wounded in my arm, so, police came and “thanks” they said to me..the Officer and other people lost their life for living there. A day later, another criminal tried to hijack my car, in Rivonia – I shoot him and I kill him; I save my life and my car but I start to be worried of why this violence and why every day there are crimes all over?

Mandela was free, the country didn’t change in the better – it went down, every day, no safety and security anymore, I was sleeping with my weapons… carried my weapon for shopping, to see movies, for walking. Every corner was a worry….and not only for me..I remember what an old black taxi driver told me when I was going to the Airport for a business trip – he said, “man, I remember under the apartheid, was very hard for us, but I was feeling more protected and safe than now,” that time he said was much better than now… So in few years, all my dreams gone due was impossible for to live there, and to understand why be in a place where we don’t know what can happen tomorrow…and where life became more cheap than a packet of chips.

After many other friends die by criminals, after I’d been attacked so many times, and thanks to my military background I save my family and my life.. we decided to move, so I rented out and sold a few business and we took a plane. Now we live in between Italy and Spain where we have houses …I missed RSA, but not this day. I miss a paradise where life was special like the South African people, the best people I’ve ever met. South Africa is gone, and will be exacly the same as all the other African countries – poverty, violence, unemployement and crimes, thanks also to the people who running the country, without any form of knowledge…

One day may be, one day…