Wits Vuvuzela 2010

The Red Independent Heart

Yumna Mohamed — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:30:34 +0000

Once upon the time in Jozi there was a Portuguese heart with a South African heartbeat.

This was the message the Portuguese Consulate wanted to convey when they brought Portuguese artist Joana Vansconelos’sculpture, Red Independent Heart, to Sandton’s Melrose Arch as the focal point of the Portugal at Heart festival, which was held from June 11 to June 12, 2010.

The festival was aimed at celebrating aspects of Portuguese culture and examining the history of Portuguese heritage in South Africa.

The first wave of Portuguese immigration came in the early 60’s and 70’s, with many Portuguese people from Madeira migrating in search of economic upliftment. Many members of the Portuguese also came from Angola and Mozambique after those countries gained independence.

As later generations become more and more South Africanised, they continue to hold firmly to their Portuguese heritage, which provides a sense of richness and cosmopolitanism to South African society.

“We wanted to bring to South Africa during the World Cup a very Portuguese heart that will beat with South African hearts, because soccer has a lot to do with emotions and feelings,” said Portuguese Consul General Carlos Pereira Marques.

The piece is sculpted in a traditional Portuguese style called Filigrana, a technique in which a material is twisted and bent on itself.

It is one of three heart sculptures, each with their own meaning. The black heart, which is on exhibit in a museum in Spain, symbolises death. The yellow heart, which belongs to a private collector, represents richness and luxury. Finally, the red heart, which belongs to a modern art collection in Lisbon, represents love.

Vasconcelos’ sculpture was on display in a glass box near the Melrose Arch piazza until July 11. The work was accompanied by a stereo playing three traditional Portuguese songs in the Fado music style. The songs, sung by a well-known Fado singer, Amália, are called “The Curse”, “The Seagull”, and “What a Strange Way of Life”, a line from which gave name to the piece as the song is about an independent heart that cannot be controlled.

Pareira says the Portuguese relationship with Fado music is very strong.

“It is extremely Portguguese. She speaks about her own heart, with her own heart,” Pareira says of Amália .

The Fado, the art and the emotions felt by South Africans during this World Cup all linked together like the Filligrana of the Red Independent Heart.

Tooting our own Vuvuzela

Joanne Carew — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:51:04 +0000

Participants of the 2010 Newsroom outside Soccer City

Welcome to Wits Vuvuzela 2010, Wits Journalism’s 2010 international newsroom project.

For the duration of the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the Wits Journalism honours class together with journalism students from City University in London and Beijing Foreign Studies University ran a multi-media newsroom producing daily material – text, photos, audio and video – focusing on stories around the main football event.

The 31 student journalists produced over 218 news items over the course of the month and several of these stories were reproduced in the mainstream media including the Mail & Guardian, The Star, Sunday Independent, SABC news reports and several websites.

We worked hard, we played hard, we learnt a lot, grappled with cultural differences and we made friends; we hope you enjoy our efforts.

Special thanks to the fantastic group international mentors – Jesse Hardman, Maura O’Connor, Vicky O’Hara, Diane DeVore, Samson Mulugeta, Wang Shiyu, Qiao Mu and Gwen Ansell.

Muchongolo magic

Samantha Hartshorne — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:17:53 +0000

Each Sunday, members of the Shangaan community meet to enjoy a spectacle of indigenous dancing called Muchongolo, on the Western boundary of the Kruger Park in South Africa

In the shade of a tree, cultural devotees adorn themselves with traditional clothing and accessories and showcase dancing from their particular heritage.

Four groups, with Shangaan, Pedi or Swazi roots stage a mock contest of adrenalin-fuelled foot stomping that embraces both genders. The moves are intensely powerful and the occasion functions as a lesson for the small children. An act of teaching them about their cultural essence, in a time when so many opt for a more westernised future.

The day is a social outing- food vendors and a bar offer refreshment in the dusty heat, while drummers pound their instruments until sweat compels them to take a break. Onlookers range from the young and curious to the wise who once took part themselves.

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Final Supporters

Taryn Arnott — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:28:31 +0000

Fans gathered in the Nelson Mandela Square to show their final support for the Netherlands and Spain. These colourful characters were lucky enough to stick around right until the end of the World Cup.

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Regenerated Vilakazi Street Inspires Soweto

Alex Fenton-Thomas — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:16:40 +0000

Walking down the hill into the dusky orange shadow of Orlando Stadium, a newcomer to Soweto sees a sprawling landscape of squat houses and small groups of people from all over the world ambling across the smooth new surface of Vilakazi Street.
Famous as the only street in the world that has housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners – Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, whose old home is now a popular museum – and the scene of the explosive beginnings of the Soweto uprising in 1976, when protesting schoolchildren were killed in cold blood by armed police; this iconic street is considered by many to be the heart of Soweto.
The addition of pavement benches and shiny new streetlamps are evidence of not only the sense of civic pride in Soweto but the funding that has poured in over the last couple of years ahead of the World Cup. The magnificent giant calabash on the northern edge of the townships, host to eight World Cup matches including the final, is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to development in Soweto.
The Five Year Soweto Economic Development Plan 2008 – 2013 detailed an ambitious regeneration plan, for “an iconic region and a distinct brand” and was marketed as a way to funnel World Cup money into developing economic opportunities.
It is on Vilakazi Street, more than any other place in Soweto, and indeed any other township in South Africa, where the effect of World Cup regeneration is so apparent. The difference is marked. Many have accused the South African government of superficially beautifying the one area of Soweto where tourists are likely to visit, while ignoring the rest.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the Vilakazi development has a particularly special connection with the street. His father was a famous philanthropist, who sent over 2000 local children to school, was forced into exile in Mozambique and was eventually assassinated in the 1980s. His father before him was one of the first black men in South Africa to go to university in the 1920s. They both came from the area around what was named Vilakazi Street in 1988, after both local heroes.
Grandson Khulani Vilakazi who owns Nambitha Restaurant, is bullish about the criticism the development has faced and believes the draw of the spruced up street will filter through to the rest of Soweto.
“The World Cup was just a catalyst to speed up some of the investment,” he said. “I saw the potential of this area 12 years ago and moved my restaurant here. The development you see around you is the future for Soweto, they had to start somewhere and they chose this special place in the history of Soweto. But that doesn’t mean the building will stop.”
Mr Vilakazi explained that he employed 56 people from the local area and bought as much local produce as possible, adamant that successful businesses such as his would benefit from developments like the Vilakazi Street Precinct could help profits trickle down to the wider community.
In other parts of Soweto local businesses are generally supportive of the Vilakazi Street development, but expect similar initiatives on other thoroughfares. Anna is the manager of Leshala Cuisine, which specialises in local game meat attracting large World Cup crowds looking for something authentically African.
“Vilakazi Street looks lovely now, but that would not matter if it wasn’t for the economic benefits of the building work,” said Anna over a plate of her famous chicken liver appetiser. “Now the World Cup is on, people go to Vilakazi Street because they have heard that it is improved and some go even further into Soweto. Maybe they’re lost,” she said with a chuckle, “but it is because of the new precinct that I get more customers through my door.”
The Roots, a restaurant and bar situated farther down the road toward the famous Morris Isaacson High School where the Soweto Uprising started, is enjoying an increase in soccer tourists. But Jerry, the self-described “manager, cleaner, driver and general dogsbody” of the establishment is keen for something similar to the Vilakazi development to happen on Mphuthi.
“We’ve got a different story to tell on our side, then the one in Vilakazi Street,” he said. “They’ve done a very good job of explaining the history over there and it’s increased tourism. But they focus on the Mandela aspect and we have a much fresher, much more recent story to tell. Kids who organised the protests against the Bantu Education Act used to meet on this corner and plan things.”
The Soweto Uprising was started by schoolchildren protesting education bills passed during apartheid which required academic subjects, such as science and math, to be taught in Afrikaans; a language many in Soweto were unwilling to learn. After a march from Morris Isaacson School towards Orlando Stadium was diverted by police, stones were thrown and police opened fire, killing scores of schoolchildren.
Soweto’s violent past is still fresh and in Soweto it’s commemorated with plaques, sculptures and museums in and around the townships. Sixteen years ago, when apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela was elected South Africa’s first black president, many who lived in Soweto would not have thought that in 2010 the townships would host international visitors in South Africa for the biggest sports event in the world.
Khulani Vilakazi, however, is adamant that more could and should have been done to keep tourists in the area. He bemoaned the lack of a top quality hotel, which he believed should have been a top priority.
“If they had built a hotel here as part of the precinct project then we’d have seen double the amount of visitors who would have experienced the real Soweto by staying here, eating here, living here. We could have buses come here straight from the airport rather than Sandton.”
One establishment that everyone in the Soweto entrepreneurial community was eager to talk about was a backpacker’s hostel in Orlando East. It has made a big difference to local businesses, especially the shebeens and bars. Lebo is the founder and owner of the hostel.
“We have been waiting for the World Cup. Business was slowly picking up before the tournament but we knew that our capacity would have to increase for the football fans. That is why we now have a homestead option in my grandma’s house,” he said while standing beside the oil drum fire burning outside his beach hut bar.
The 20 refurbished rooms, four large tents and four double rooms at his grandma’s house have been full throughout the World Cup and Lebo is confident many will come back to Soweto and spread the word of the authentic African experience of staying in a township.
Mr Vilakazi is grateful for Lebo’s innovation and sang his praises for bringing more people to the area and enhancing Soweto’s image. However, some disagree that more tourists and more income for the emerging middle-class that run the restaurants will be good for Soweto.
Jane is a leading member of the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee (SECC) which directs a team of trained electricians to reconnect homes in the area that were cut off for non payment. They form part of a loose coalition of politically active groups that have fought against the staging of the World Cup in South Africa, arguing that none of the profits will be seen by the people who need it most.
“To argue that these businesses, run for profit, are benefiting the poorest in Soweto is full of error. The very small amount of people who are employed by these hugely expensive establishments, where no one around here can afford to dine at, may be getting paid well now; but once the tournament is over staff numbers are going to be cut and things will return to the way they were,” she said.

The vibey Vilakazi Street after its World Cup regeneration.

The World Cup and politics- a match made in heaven?

Justin Mottershead — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:36:58 +0000

Will the South African World Cup help Zuma's party? Photo: Yumna Mohamed

Since the first World Cup in 1930 governments have used their national football teams to strengthen their perception abroad, maintain power at home, or promote political ideologies. On the other hand, losing the World Cup has led to the demise of some governments.

With the 2010 World Cup nearing its conclusion and having been a stunning success, will the games help strengthen President Jacob Zuma’s government? Or could we see people looking for change after this national experience? Well the South African president only needs to look at past World Cups to see how different hosts have fared.

In 1934, Benito Mussolini celebrated his country’s World Cup victory at the Stadio Nazionale in Italy. “Il Duce,” as he was known, used the tournament to promote his fascist regime as the host nation went on to win. Some accused the Italian dictator of doing more than just promoting his government, with accusations that he actually bribed referees to ensure Italy’s triumph still doing the rounds even now.

Chile’s World Cup in 1962 rescued the country from one of its darkest ever periods: Earthquakes had devastated the south part of country only two years prior to the tournament. Carlos Dittborn, the Chilean FA president famously declared “We must have the World Cup because we have nothing.” Following the success of the tournament, the country was able to rebuild both physically and psychologically.

In 1970, England was knocked out in extra time in a quarter finals match by the country’s old enemy West Germany. The English people were devastated- particularly after throwing away a two-goal lead. Three days later, the British general election took place and the Labour government was replaced with a conservative party.
Outgoing Prime Minister Harold Wilson lamented England’s World Cup loss, claiming it left the people so bitter and disappointed that they voted for a change in government. Perhaps Wilson’s analysis was too simplistic, but there is a case to be made that had England gone beat the Germans, the nation might have been more likely to keep Labour in power.

One of the most contentious World Cup tournaments took place in Argentina in 1978. Two years before the competition kicked off, a military junta led by General Jorge Videla seized power. Many people outside of Argentina-were outraged that a junta, which had murdered and tortured thousands of political opponents, was allowed to play host to the World Cup.
General Jorge Videla’s government was also accused of influencing referees like Mussolini 40 years earlier. Argentina won the tournament after receiving some extremely kind refereeing decisions. But whether the junta influenced the referees or not one thing is certain: Argentina’s leaders benefitted greatly from their team’s success.
After Argentina’s win, the country erupted in an explosion of patriotic euphoria . It seemed the government could do no wrong; not only had they managed to bring football’s biggest tournament to the Argentina but also its greatest prize. But the government’s successes and confidence would evolve into hubris less than three years later with the disastrous invasion of the Falkland Islands, ultimately bringing an end to the regime.

In 1982, Mexico hosted the tournament even though it had played host a mere sixteen years earlier. FIFA’s first choice, Colombia, was unable to finance their stadium so the Mexicans stepped up. One year before the tournament, however, Mexico City was devastated by a huge earthquake. The country hosted a successful tournament but many Mexicans felt anger towards their government for refusing foreign aid during the earthquake crisis and the fact the government was willing to spend millions on hosting a World Cup. The ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party splintered soon after the World Cup and the newly formed National Democratic Front was elected to power in 1988.

Bulgarian midfielder Yordan Letchkov was one of the stars of the USA World Cup in 1994. Letchkov scored the winning goal in the quarter-final against Germany, and for the first time in history, Bulgaria competed in the semi-finals. While many footballers become managers or pundits once they hang up their boots, Letchkov entered the realm of politics and became mayor of his home town of Sliven. Would he have been elected if he wasn’t a national football hero?

The 2010 tournament in South Africa has included a lot of football and just as much politics. Two weeks ago, FIFA President Sepp Blatter reprimanded French President Nicolas Sarkozy for requesting a meeting with striker Thierry Henry to explain France’s dismal performance.
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan was so angered by the national team’s showing that he made the unprecedented decision to ban them from international competition for two years. However, following pressure from FIFA last week, he reversed his decision.
Meanwhile, British Member of Parliament David Amess has called for an inquiry into the state of English football, after labelling the national side’s 2010 performance “pathetic.”

It’s anyone’s guess what consequences the tournament will have on South Africa’s government once the last ball has been kicked and the dust settles. However, with all the scaremongering about the nation being too crime-ridden, disorganised, or segregated to successfully host the World cup, it seems that the ultimate affect on the government could be positive.
Who knows? Following his stunning goal against Mexico, we may even see Bafana’s Siphiwe Tshabala becoming the next mayor of Johannesburg!

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World Cup Street Soccer

Uviwe Mangweni — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:55:15 +0000

We visited the School Sports Mass Participation Project that aims to identify sports talent at a grass-roots level in the townships.

World Cup merchandising comes to its end

Malcolm Rees — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:46:00 +0000

An alley of 'China Mart' in Fordsburg, Johannesburg

To download this audio, click here

Gramadoelas Restaurant – a Unique Jo’burg Experience

zujiang — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:29:31 +0000

Yu Zujiang Jeremy

Photo: Yu Zujiang Jeremy

“Welcome to Gramadoelas!” said Patrick, warmly greeting customers at one of Johannesburg landmark restaurants.

Located in Newtown, the cultural district of downtown Johannesburg, Gramadoelas is a unique restaurant in the city that has been in operation for 43 years. With the Fifa World Cup in full swing, the restaurant has been catering to customers from the around the world who want to sample South African cuisine.

“We have a Soccer Cup Final buffet, providing winter some hot soups with halaal and vegetarian dishes including yellow rice and fried fish,” said Patrick, the waiter, pointing at the dishes on display, placed in antique containers.

“People are coming here from different countries: Holland, England, France, China, and South Africa,” said Eduan Naude, 87, the owner of Gramadoelas, as he rifled through some bills including his rent bills.

“Our food is mainly Dutch, French, Portuguese, and South African,” Naude said.

“Usually, it’s quiet here,” said Naude, resetting his glasses. “However, it’s World Cup time now. It seems a little noisy with all vuvuzelas during the World Cup.”

The walls of dimly lit restaurants are decorated with traditional cooking utensils and drawings with African themes. “These three pictures were all painted by myself,” Naude said, pointing to drawings hanging near the entrance. “My best friend, who was my college classmate and now is a college art teacher, taught me to complete them.”

Other drawings depicted Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama and Jan Van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company who arrived in what is now Cape Town in 1652.

“I like portraits,” Naude said. “The big one over there is the only picture not related with portrait, and it depicts a banquet as you can see.”

Naude co-owns the restaurant with Brian Shalkoff who joined him five years ago.

“Brian is a little younger than me and we are like twin brothers,” said Naude, pointing to Shalkoff who was chatting with patrons and staff. “He used to work with his father, running this restaurant with me as his part-time job.”

Unforgettable Moments

Tracey Van der Schyff — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:24:25 +0000

By Yu Yichun Joey & Gao Yue Iris

The party is almost done. So rather than being sad because it’s over, Vuvuzela 2010 took to the streets and asked people why they’re glad it happened.