"buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Get used to the sound...Vuvuzela is here to stay.
Vuvuzela has become a favourite topic of conversation at the FIFA World Cup and on the streets of Toronto.
As a fan of beautiful game and of African football I must come to Vuvuzelas' defense.
Critics say the Vuvuzela is too noisy and it should be banned from the World Cup. Their complaints have ranged from outright alarming — Vuvuzela spread viruses faster than coughing, to the absolute laughable players will not hear referees’ whistle!. And oh, TV viewers can't hear the commentator.
C'mon.
Vuvuzelas, drums and singing are part of African football culture. It is part of African celebration, it is part of African traditions and history. Accept it.
Blowing the Vuvuzela was also meant to blow away the injustice of apartheid.
For me taking away or hating the Vuvuzelas - that even the apartheid regime in South Africa did not seem to mind, is really being narrow minded, it will symbolize to South Africans intimidation, and restriction on their hard-fought freedoms after decades of racism, prejudices and abuse by the brutal apartheid regime.
Vuvuzela also symbolized and enabled Black South Africans to Dream about 'Freedom One Day.' It was the blowing of Vuvuzelas freely in football stadiums during the apartheid that gave Blacks in South Africa a minute taste of freedom.
There is an old African saying that goes like this: 'The baboon
is killed by a lot of noise'.
Football is not like golf or tennis, where you are actively encouraged to keep quiet. This is a loud game Guys!. And I bet most of the Vuvuzela critics and haters have never ever before been to the football stadium or watch Liverpool play at Anfield, that is why they yawp.
I am not advocating that it makes a lovely sound, but you cannot deny the atmosphere it creates within the stadium. It can be incredibly intimidating for opposing teams at a packed Soccer City with 94,000 people blowing their lungs out in support of their boys. It gets the crowd going, and gives them an identity.
I am glad the Vuvuzela is out there, loud and proud - regardless of how it sounds. It stands for a bit more than that. Do I expect the critics to understand it? may be!
This may be the World Cup, but it is Africa's World Cup just like previous 18 were Europe's, Asian and South and North American. Taking away the Vuvuzela would be nothing short of another page of cultural imperialism exercised by Europe on Africa.
There are many who are struggling to find anything African in the stadiums except the infamous Vuvuzela.
So lets enjoy the African culture and beautiful game and Let the fans blow their Vuvuzelas during the World Cup.



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