Bafana Bafana final bow

World On Press
Ian Jindela

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Bafana Bafa player takes final bow




South African National team- Bafana Bafana winning game of 2-1 against France at Bloemfontein was a final bow at this year’s World Cup tournament. It has been thus far the green and yellow boy’s played a winning 12 games prior to the tournament. Last night Mangaung stadium Bloemfonetin seats were in full swing all over green and yellow in support of Bafana Bafana. South Africa won the match but it was not enough for the host nation to progress past the group stage of the tournament. The game was attended by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma who congratulated the players for their gallant effort. “You have made our country proud and the Nation is proud of your achievement. The existing carnival atmosphere in the country is because you have represented all of us with pride, winning against France in an official competition is an achievement you should be proud off. In tournaments like this, sometimes you win and sometimes you loose. You gave it your best; and now it’s time to enjoy the World Cup. We have built a solid foundation for future tournaments, and you can count on the country’s support all the way”.

SAFA president salutes Bafana Bafana for their great work done. “The South African Football Association on behalf of the continent therefore express its profound gratitude for all the hard work that the team in placing Africa on the map. It is one of the few moments in sport when we can justifiable see victory in defeat when taking stock of the bigger picture of your contribution” said SAFA President, Mr Kirsten Nematandani. SAFA invested heavily in this world cup. It is an investment well spent considering the positives outcomes that have already started pouring to our country and continent. Magnificent football facilities, a state of the art transport networks, security, and tourism opportunities will be a lasting legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for generations to come. “Development projects such as Football for Hope and 1Goal project that FIFA has introduced to South Africa and the rest of the continent will ensure that the African football improves and more children enjoy the right to education”added Nematandani.

“Yes they did not make it past the group stage but they did what the country asked of them – they played with pride, passion, skill and commitment, they gave their best. They did the national team jersey and every single South African proud and we want to thank them for what they’ve done for this country,” said 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) CEO Dr Danny Jordaan.

The dream of South Africa winning the tournament is over. South Africans are urged to raise their flags high in support of South Africa as the host country. The World cup is still on until 11 July. Support for the tournament to date has met all expectations with a total of 1 570 447 people attending the first 32 matches (an average of 49,076). More than a million people have watched the matches at the ten FIFA Fan Fests in South Africa and hundreds of thousands more have watched the games in public viewing areas around the country, with World Cup matches also shattering television audience records in the country.Durban has proved to be the most popular FIFA Fan Fest with 238,546 visitors from the start of the tournament until 20 June. Well done Bafana Bafana.

National Arts Festival takes Football route

World On Press
Ian Jindela

The 36th annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival kicks off in Football style. Minster of Arts and Culture Ms. Lulu Xingwana officially declared the Grahamstown National Arts festival open, at the prestigious ceremony held in Grahamstown Settlers Monument on June 20. The minister also handed over the hand crafted soccer ball with colorful Ndebele beads to the festiva in support of the rural development projects. Minister Xingwana, Eastern Cape Premier Nomvula Kiviet and the festival Chairman blow their Vuvuzelas in support of Bafana Bafana during the opening ceremony.

Take a U turn to the Eastern Cape and experience live entertainment- whilst zooming out from the soccer fever. This year’s G’town fest runs until July 04 and promises to be the great and with the heavy line up of craft, music, comedy drama, theatre, jazz and exhibitions to keep festival goers warm this winter. National Arts Festival takes Football route. Football Football on its world premiere a multi-country co-production which uses dance, theatre, video, music and digital technology to celebrate the art of football, (pictured above). The Football Diaries- a one man show that gives an insight into an athlete’s experience of space, time and emotion. In celebrating soccer in Africa, the street theatre will host the Giant Match.

Still celebrating the World Cup, Sibikwa Dance and Music Company have a lineup of colorful 48 cast members of dance, music and drama productions spiced with the sounds of Mozambique. Sibikwa offers proudly South African experience in music, dance and drama. Visitors can also experience traditional food tasting. Shows opens from 20 to 23 June at the Recreation centre the home of Sibikwa at Grahamstown. The Johannesburg east based Sibikwa last night took the G'town Festival by storm with their contemporary dance production “ The Eye of the Storm” from the cast the cast young devoted Thapelo Kotlolo from east of Johannesburg who is at the G’town festival for the first time described his performance as exciting extra ordinary and a festival for all. Grahamstown National Arts festival has a lot to offer in colorful African melting pot of arts. Visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for more information.

African Urban Zulu songstress dies.

World On Press


Ian Jindela



Busi Mhlongo on Wednesday 15 June succumbed to her brave battle with cancer. South Africa woke up with the sad news of passing on of the great Diva and songstress Busi Mhlongo. Busi had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment when died on 15 June 2010. She died at King Shaka Hospital in KwaZulu Natal. In just few days after the death of Nelson Mandela’s 13 year old great granddaughter Zenani Mandela who was in a car accident with Winnie Madikizela Mandela on their way to the FIFA Kick of Concert held in Soweto on the 10 of June.

Busi Mhlongo an icon and a mother to young musicians will be remembered for her endless love of music and powerful voice. Busi Mhlongo, born in October 28, 1947 died June 15 2010, born as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa; Busi Mhlongo was a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music defies categorization. Her music seen on her face and dance moves captured all. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produces a fresh and exciting sound. Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie, only later she became known by Busi Mhlongo.

The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills, President Thabo Mbeki was one of the Honorable guests. On The 21st May 2010 Ngwenyama Holdings a company owned by Swazi Prince Makhosini Dlamini announced A Tribute Concert to Busi Mhlongo at the South African Playhouse on May 30th.
Musicians pour out their condolences, Camagwini the Nubian Afro singer recalls Busi Mhlongo as a warrior and a great singer, she has learnt a lot from her music. Camagwini was amongst artists who were invited by Busi Mhlongo last month to pay tribute in a song though Busi Mhlongo could not make it to the organised tribute concert, her spirit lives on.

The President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma sends his condolences and described Busi as a veteran for struggle. “Her love for music kept the flames of hope alive during our country’s struggle for democracy. Her music encouraged and influenced a range of contemporary South African artists. She inspired the nation and let the world know of South Africa’s quest for freedom. She ensured her compositions defied categorisation and emphasised the universality of the human race “Added Jacob Zuma.
She will be remembered with her hit songs such as Babom’ncane, Ntingi Ntingi,Hamba Phepha lam,Intoni na and many. Her spirit lives on through the sound of the voice that she has left us.