The World Cup and Pan-Africanism
Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie observes that international soccer allows for “a kind of nationalism that expands as your country loses.”
Football
Organize
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwBlDiObxWA&w=500&h=307&rel=0] BLK JKS representing at the official pre-World Cup concert in Soweto. Remember Tutu dancing in
Dirty Paraffin is "genre-defying"
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5hvSTsYTGk&w=500&h=307&rel=0] We’ve been following The Fader’s Pitch Perfect documentary series since the start of the World
The Ugly American
US writers about soccer beginning to display the same kinds of sports-commenter crypto racism that has been pretty standard issue in Europe for quite a while.
Pitch Perfect Friday
Africa is not just represented by five nations in the World Cup. Its diaspora is also here courtesy of Euro-American and South American squads.
'Welcome to South Africa'
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYrSn3pL8Ws&w=500&h=307&rel=0] It’s hard to describe the vibe here. Yes, there’s the unreasonable expectations around the team
ESPN observes Youth Day
I went to ESPN’s website to check WC scores and was surprised to find two short
Day 2 and 3 Ear Plugs
After watching Bafana Bafana’s close shave against Mexico on TV, my brother, David, and I went
Day One: Butterfly Nation
I am in South Africa for two weeks to see some games and soak up the atmosphere of the 2010 World Cup. I hope to keep a diary of sorts.
Africa really is a country
While everybody back home in South Africa today celebrated Vuvuzela Day, the rest of us had
On Safari
By the time you read this I’ll be on my way to Cape Town, via Amsterdam.
Has Nandos lost the plot?
The South African fast food chicken chain Nando’s (which has of late also become very popular
Made in China
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH-a_rDH9c8&w=500&h=307&rel=0] The football will be great, we’ll talk tactics and football history all month long, make
Vamos a ir a Sudafrica
Mexican broadcasters are no different from their Euro-American counterparts, in peddling outdated stereotypes about Africa.
Animal Kingdom
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPfsM4yBZps&w=500&h=307&rel=0] It will get ridiculous over the next month. For now the price goes to goes
The Wedding
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsG49zXF8xk&w=500&h=307&rel=0] Driving in Soweto, film maker Dumisani Phakathi reflects on next month’s World Cup: [The World
Coco Cola and the "African Boy"
I’m a bit late with this, but I’ll post it anyway. (Look out for lots of
Bono did something right
You know we give Bono a lot of grief on this site, but in this commercial
Flavor of the Month
The UK Observer, despite its best attempts, does not have its finger on the pulse of the South African literary scene. The World Cup didn't help.
South Africa. It's in South America
Apparently on a Chicago TV station. Let’s hope this a spoof. Otherwise it explains this kind