One Jersey To Unite All Of Us
Since November 15 last year, a team of South Africans has been on the road for Adidas’ Unite Mzansi Unite. Their objective: get 500 000 South Africans to sign a giant 60m by 48m Bafana Bafana World Cup jersey which will adorn the pitch at the opening game of the World Cup on June 11.
They were in Johannesburg yesterday at Queens High School. I arrived while they were still preparing a miniature pitch for participants to play on; seemingly it was to be an event like any other. But it wasn’t, because putting my name on that fabric was so much more exciting than I expected it to be.
I ran into project manager Marius Hayes who’s been with the tour from the start. “It’s been mind blowing,” he told me. “Having traveled 15 000 kilometers thus far, I’ve been feeling like a tourist in my own country”. He’s loving living the ‘Unite Mzansi Unite’ brand. “I wake up every morning knowing I’m part of a larger and continually growing legacy”
Thabo Makhene, Mafikeng-born and-bred but now living in Johannesburg is the traveling brand coach. With him is a contingent from Kruger National Park team. He talks of their excitement about being included on the tour. “Living on the road so far away from home, one of the things I look forward to is our Friday night braai (barbecue) ritual. We normally sit around a fire and chat about experiences and nostalgia of home.”
140 993 South Africans have put their name on the T-shirt so far. Next stop, this weekend, is Alexandra Township and the Pan African Mall.
What are you doing this weekend? Why don’t you go sign your name and make history, or do it online here?
