The World Cup and the South African limelight

As the crowd’s roar and the deafening drone of thousands of vuvuzela play wildly, a sea of yellow is dancing the Toyi-Toyi and singing the Waka Waka.  It can only be the World Cup, and this can only be South Africa! 

For the first time in the history of the tournament, the world’s most followed sporting-showdown is being hosted on the African Continent, a momentous feat after a long journey that was started many years ago by Nelson Mandela.  251 countries and over a billion people will tune in to the month-long tournament, time zone differences mean that we are kicking off the opening game in the early hours of a Friday morning with a bacon roll in one hand and a Bloody Mary in the other.  Let the games begin.  

I should tell you now that I am not a particularly vigilant football fan, nor do I have any desire to watch any regular football matches.  I am however, a huge fan of international frenzy and nail-biting competition and the World Cup, much like the Olympics, brings out a certain sense of merriment in me.  This World Cup also gives me a chance to see a Country that I’ve come to love, have their time in the limelight.  Ten months ago, when I moved to America, I started working on an initiative called The 46664 Bangle (copper, silver, gold and platinum bracelets that raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and provide opportunity for those affected by HIV/AIDS) the numbers relate to Nelson Mandela’s prisoner number: 466, and year of imprisonment, 64 and together they are now his global symbol for humanitarian work.  The 46664 Bangle is a perfect antidote to this blog; one focuses on food and culture and the other reminds me that finding enough money to feed a family, is a daily struggle for some communities across South Africa and throughout the world.   

That’s the thing about South Africa, its history and struggles are omnipresent but they should never overshadow the natural beauty and pride of the people and the place.  As countless braais (barbeques to you and I) are sparked up tonight and thousands of people pop open a bottle of prized South African wine or a cold beer in celebration of the post-game draw against Mexico, they will inevitably congratulate themselves on a good match and a spectacular opening ceremony.  Which brings me back to the World Cup, for me, it is not about the football; it is about the host Country showing eager audiences around the world what they are capable of.  Cheers to South Africa!  


Recipe Idea
If you fancy cooking up a South African feast this weekend then Bobotie could be the dish for you (pronounced Buu Boo Tee), this is a spiced meat dish (not a curry) made from ground beef or lamb that is a contender for South Africa’s National dish.  With a spicy influence and a custard top similar to a Mousakka it sounds like the perfect antidote to the ecstasy and agony of the World Cup. 


Recipe links: 
BBC Good Food 
Epicurious