Embrace the Vuvuzela

"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'.

South African football fans make as much noise as they can to confuse the opposing team on the field. Its gradual increase in loudness capable of striking fear into the hearts of the opposing team or maybe just to give their own team a wake up call.

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.

About Khalid Magram

Time for an African upset?

'Waka Waka,' This time for Africa...

Deck the living room with your team gear. Wave your country flag. Adopt a country to cheer if yours didn't make it. And after four long years of waiting, the football family will be glued to the action this morning. The 2010 World Cup kicks off as South Africa takes on Mexico.

Every football lover will always remember the opening day of FIFA World Cup and the surprises that can happen during the curtain-raiser. 

African sides are always good for a surprise:

For me it will always be the 1994 World Cup in Italy when the world champion Argentina with her beloved son and captain Maradona were all out to quiet the Indomitable Lions.

Then in the 22nd minute of the scoreless second period match, the unthinkable happened. Francois Omam-Biyik headed the goal that secured Cameroon a 1-0 win in one of the biggest sensations in the history of the beautiful game.

Will South Africa with the help of the 12th man on the pitch blowing Vuvuzela usher a surprise, bringing joy to home fans ?

Maradona's threat:

Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.

The Argentine press is sure Maradona will keep his promise as he earlier posed naked for the El Grafico magazine.

But before Maradona realizes his dream. The Le Selection have to hop through the Super Eagles hurdle, who in their own right are out for revenge and hoping the Maradona XI's chemistry does not click. Because if it does then 'Look out."

Argentina plays in Group B, opening against Nigeria on June 12.

About Khalid Magram

World Cup YouTube videos of the day

Africa's game?

"Love = Football," according to this Puma ad and I'm sure plenty of folks in around the world right now agree with the sentiment. The ad depicts street scenes in Africa -- children playing a game on a patch of dirt, a fan running through the streets with Cameroonian flag -- interspersed with shots of the pros at work.

How to avoid hooligans

Howcast has some advice for avoiding one of soccer's greatest perils: hooligans. All you'll need is a jersey, speed and a bit of courage. Oh yeah, and also some fake blood and bribe money.

Latest from Shakira

Plenty of celebs are hitching themselves to the World Cup. Here is Shakira's take, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)."