Football Fever is Real!

It is Friday afternoon and I am eagerly awaiting the weekend. Friends of mine will be arriving from Durban. Somehow Durbanites never loose their “holiday spirit”, they always seem to be beach-ready in no time at all. After a rather hectic start to the New Year I welcome the time to kick back and “like hang, man”.

I eagerly anticipate 5pm – and smile. All I have to do is travel the 120 kms between Johannesburg and Pretoria to attend a meeting in Rietondale and then I am home free.

And so hitting the N1 highway, started another incredible journey. With a travelling speed of 120kph which has now been reduced to 80kpg due to road construction quickly dwindles down to a mere 40kphh.

As the temprature rises in the car so do the frustration levels, mine and other motorists. People change lanes hoping that the next one might be a little faster or have less obstruction, but soon we all give up, realising that this is going nowhere, slowly.

I switch off the aircon, open the window and switch on the radio. In no time Football Friday messages can be heard over the airwaves. South Africans are mobilising for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and companies and sponsors alike are running challenges, competitions and creating moments of pride.

I start to relax and look out the window at my fellow, and sister, motorists. For the first time I notice the beautiful colours of their various football shirts. Drivers and passengers, most are wearing a football shirt, Brazil, Spain and Portugal being among the favourites. Some local clubs like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs also made the line-up.

Me, a great supporter of the underdog, I was sporting a Bafana Bafana jersey. At the toll gate I was met with a beaming smile and a heartfelt cheer. Our boys have done us proud by winning their international friendly game against Zimbabwe 3-1.

When I stopped at the petrol station to fill up, I was met with yet another vociferous chorus of Viva Bafana Bafana Viva! as petrol attendants smiled and waved.

And I smiled, no I grinned!

As here is another prime example of what it means to be a South African. We do not need huge events like final draws or visits from Argentinean coaches to show our patriotism. We wear our hearts on our sleeves anyway, by wearing our football jerseys on our backs.

I get in my car and I take the next offramp back on the highway, the traffic might be slow and going nowhere fast, but my spirit is soaring.