Finale'

What a month, what a stadium, what a game and what a final! I was sent this beautiful photo of Soccer City by James Nachtwey of National Geographic by a friend last week  and thought that it was an apt way to end the blog pics celebrating the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It's all over now. Well done Spain and Holland.
I have decided not to get caught up in the post World Cup blues, but to find the positive things about living in South Africa and to post pics which celebrate our beautiful and diverse nation. So keep checking and if you have any celebrate living in South Africa pics to share, please feel free to join in. 

Go Ghana

As Ghana and Uruguay battle it out on the football pitch tonight at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the entire continent of Africa is supporting them. They are the third African team to ever reach the quarter finals and should they make it through to the semis, they will be the first African team ever to do so.
The Black Stars, BaGhana BaGhana, whatever you want to call them, just make sure that you give them your support if you live in Africa. 

What Will We Do When it is All Over?

Can you believe how quickly the 2010 FIFA World Cup is progressing? Before we know it, it will all be over. After the years of preparation and hype, it is going to be finished in less than two weeks time. 
I have haphazardly supported football in the past, but during this World Cup I have become an avid supporter. I didn't know what to do with myself last night as there was no football to watch, while the teams all have a break before the quarter finals. Thank God Wimbledon was on to distract me. Even though Federer was defeated, Nadal's match was exciting. 
We will miss the football matches when it is all over and will have to find something new to latch on to. Maybe then we can prepare for an Olympics in SA...

World Cup Snippets

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has been a tournament of surprises with both of the previous World Cup finalists being knocked out of the first round and teams like North Korea ranked 106th in the world going through. Last night gave us another surprise with one of the favourites going out as Spain defeated Portugal. We seem to have a strong South American contingent now.
It has all been a lot of fun and I have loved my part as host to the nations. 

Dutch Supporters Convoy

Look at this amazing photo of the Dutch supporters travelling from one game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to the next. Led by their Orange double-decker bus, the Dutch Supporters are on route from their camp site in Pretoria to their next game against Japan in Durban. 

Their convoy travelled the 636 km route and was made up of 175 campers, trucks, busses and jeeps – the convoy was 6 kms long and all orange.


They know how to support their team!

Vuvuzela Beetle

It seems that many of us have become accustomed to the blaring of the vuvuzela during the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the excitement heats up. Someone sent me a pic of this VW Beetle limo with a oversized vuvuzela on the roof and I couldn't resist posting it on this blog. Quite a way to travel during the World Cup.

Cape Town's 2010 FIFA World Cup Conribution

Karen Lotter sent me an email with this photo of the lights in Adderley Street in Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  What a festive contribution towards the World Cup.

Hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Now that South Africa is no longer playing in the World Cup, I have been heartened to hear all of the positive reports about South African's picking up the gauntlet to continue hosting the event with enthusiasm and "gees". 

I heard an interview with a German journalist on the radio yesterday where he was raving about South Africa's hospitality and I read a wonderful letter from a young American woman based in South Africa over the last few months and how she praised us for our warmth and acceptance of foreigners. Again, I heard an Aussie journalist this morning praising us for the best World Cup he has attended in the last four. All I can say is may we keep it up. Go South Africa.

Well Done Bafana Bafana!

Well done to the boys! The whole of Africa was rooting for Bafana Bafana yesterday, and although they did not get through to the next round in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, they beat France 2-1, which is something to be proud of. All South Africans are proud of their performance yesterday. Now we will get behind our second choice teams and continue to support the World Cup.

Soccer City

What fun this 2010 FIFA World Cup has been so far. Full of surprises, it promises a lot more still to come. Smiles and laughter everywhere and a wonderful spirit of cameradie permeates the nation.
All I can say for today is "Go Bafana!"

World Cup Spirit

The vibe in Johannesburg just gets better and better. World Cup Spirit is alive and thriving. The city is looking so colourful and the means of showing support are becoming more and more creative. I saw someone's hubcaps painted like soccer balls with the South African flag yesterday. I am going to miss all of this when the World Cup is over.

Footballs in the Sky

Footballs everywhere in South Africa. The ABSA balloon has new meaning during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Cullinan Joins in the Football Fever of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Football fever rages throughout the country as we gear up to the the final week until the World Cup. On a visit to the quaint town of Cullinan I came across these two football fans selling football regalia.

Competition for the Best 2010 FIFA World Cup Decorated House

Carte Blanche announced on Sunday night that they were looking for the houses that were the best decorated for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I have started looking around my area and this is one of the first ones that I've seen.

2010 FIFA World Cup - 10 Days and Counting

Everyone is getting football fever. One of the local liquor stores enters the spirit!

Football Fever Support

Roads in Jozi are so festive these days with all the football fever decorated cars. Mirror socks and flags seem to be the order of the day in the 15 days left  to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. If you haven't got your vehicle decor yet, come on, get with it. Football paraphernalia is available  from street vendors at every intersection. Let's show the rest of the world what "gees" is. 

2010 FIFA World Cup Tickets

Woo hoo! I have my tickets to Argentina versus Korea Republic at Soccer City on 17 June. I will be shouting for Argentina with my little blue and white flag. 

Football Fever Rules

Some of the staff at Fournos at Fourways Crossing enjoying football fever.

19 Days to Go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

With 19 days left to the opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I have decided to join in the football fever and excitement by posting football related pics everyday. Driving around Johannesburg these days is great fun with the vibe being very clearly World Cup vibe.


Cars have flags attached to them or window socks showing the driver's team support. Flags fly from walls and windows all over the suburbs and shopping centres. People walk around in Bafana Bafana's green and yellow football jerseys or t-shirts.  


I saw a car with a South African flag bonnet sock yesterday, which was huge and so cool. My friend saw a young man in a Mercedes which he had spray painted in the colours of the South African flag. People are seriously getting into the mood. I have also seen that some people have painted the walls surrounding their homes with SA flags. 


There is also a very common sound in the air these days. It's heard on the radio, on TV and in the neighbourhoods. The blast of the vuvuzela. Whether you hate it or love it, it is here to stay and does add to the atmosphere of building excitement.


So, my salute to football fever, apart from my flags, mirror socks and Bafana shirt, is to snap football fever shots and post them for the next two months. If you have any great pics to share, join in the fun.

Five Reasons to Participate in Football Friday

Once again, it is Football Friday in South Africa, and everywhere I go I see individuals in green and yellow football shirts. It is especially uplifting in light of the current political climate.

Five Reasons to Participate in Football Friday

United South Africa

The biggest reason would be to help unite South Africa. We live in an amazingly diverse nation, yet we still have a long way to go with regards to racial harmony. When we wear our Bafana Bafana supporter shirts, we stand out as being proudly South African, regardless of our culture. We help to create a South African culture. 

Half Price Cappuccino

Apparently, if you go to Sasol garage convenience stores and order a Chaywa cappuccino in your Football Friday gear, you will receive it for half the usual price. Being, a cappuccino lover, that sounds like a good deal to me.

Support the World Cup

As South Africans, we are hearing all about how we need to host the World Cup well. We are generally a hospitable people, but there is also a lot of negativity in the land. By wearing our yellow and greens, we are showing support for our beloved country hosting the World Cup. We are joining the clan of positive thinkers and the more positive people we have, the more of a success it will be.

Spar Gift Vouchers

Some Spar stores, according to an excerpt which I heard on Radio Highveld, will randomly pick a Football Friday supporter who is shopping in the store on Fridays. The lucky supporter will win a Spar voucher. 

Fun, Fun, Fun

I am a sucker for having fun. Joining in any initiative that has a worthy cause is good enough for me to participate. The cool thing about wearing Football Friday shirts is that I find myself smiling at all the other supporters during the day. I find that there seems to be an atmosphere of friendliness, and God knows how much we all need that in our lives.

So, once again, I encourage South Africa to become a football supporter on Fridays. Come on, join in the fun. 

Take a look at http://www.footballfridays.co.za for more reasons.