“Bittersweet End for Bafana: Victory in defeat as we continue to host the world’s biggest event”, the headline on the frontpage of one South Africa’s leading daily newpapers, The Star. South Africa’s national soccer team defeated the rebellious French team but could not avoid elimination. In the process, Bafana Bafana became the first ever host nation to be eliminated in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup since its inception in 1930. This further spoiled the otherwise vibrant atmosphere that greeted visitors in the days leading up to the kickoff of the tournament. The nation was clearly unenthusiastic about the game, with game day passing like any other day: minimal vuvuzela blowing, very few people wearing the gold and/or green Bafana regalia, and everyone getting about their normal business. And although there was some sense of pride over the win, that did not last long. We wait to see how far-reaching will the national team’s exit have on the socio-political prospects of South Africa.
On the other hand, the quarterly economic report shows that unemployment has risen by an annualized rate over 6 percent, mostly as a result of a shrink in the construction industry. This was exacerbated by the completion of construction and infrastructural-related projects associated with the FIFA World Cup, which resulted in a 10.2 percent decline in construction. Immigration authorities have also recorded an increased influx in returning immigrants who have found the going tough in industrialized nations amid the slow global economic recovery. How optimistic should the country be about the much publicized economic payoffs? The negotiations between ESKOM and National Union of Miners, in auspices of the workers, broke down on Thursday without any consensus. This is worrisome to the tournament organizers as well as politicians, both of whom will have seemingly failed on their mandates – to deliver a successful world cup to citizens and the rest of the world. Event security has been exceptional thus far with no major reports of crime, which is commendable given that this existed as the main worry.
Ayoba from South Africa, it’s here…but can we still feel it?
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