The very first goal scored at the Fifa World Cup on the 11th of June 2010 by Tshabalala was electrifying…Soccer City exploded!
But it was not only about the beautiful game…
The united spirit of the rainbow people of South Africa during the joyous month of the World Cup had such a profound effect on my life. There were moments I felt so emotional and proud of what we had achieved it brought tears to my eyes. Even though we did not actually win the football, WE WON FOR SOUTH AFRICA. I am pleased to say I am one of those who believed in our capabilities to pull off such a successful event right from the start.
 Not only did we get a feast of Soccer, but we got to be PATRIOTIC AND WAVE OUR FLAGS. Â
 I got to stay in the Friendly City during our College holidays.  I got to see the jubilant Dutch wearing their orange clogs and dressing gowns along the boardwalk after upsetting Brazil. I got to have a beer with the patriotic Germans while they whitewashed the pommies on the big screen at the German club. I got to see a celebrity like Paris Hilton in our local court being let off a drug charge. I got to wear my Roth 22 Bafana Bafana players shirt and Fifa takkies at a live television broadcast from Port Elizabeth .
 I think South Africa defeated France because I got to wear my “I love South Africa†underwear to the Fan Park at St. Georges. I got to blow my vuvuzela until my lips were numb, watching gorgeous Ronaldo at Nelson Mandela Stadium. I got to set the Waka Waka ringtone on my cell phone, I got to teach my students and fellow colleagues the Diski dance.
Leaving OR Tambo International for a short trip to Germany during my college holidays, I got to see the tourists making their way home with vuvuzelas in their backpacks… realizing that we really IMPRESSED our visitors…who will one day return with their friends bringing fresh opportunities for tourism and business to South Africa.
 Perhaps this is one of the reasons Shakira and Freshly Ground felt that singing the Waka Waka – this time for Africa, at the opening concert, was the most emotional and uplifting experience of their lives.
KEEP FLYING THE FLAG whether it be literally or figuratively. IT’S A SIGN OF A VICTORY.