The Significance of June 16th

JOHANNESBURG. The June 16 uprising in 1976 was a student led protest against the forceful introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Black schools. Organised by the students themselves, the events of June 1976 took place at a time when liberation movements were banned throughout the country.

While the protests started off peacefully, they soon turned chaotic when the police opened fire on unarmed protesting students. As the unrest gained momentum and spread to the townships around Soweto and other parts of the country, the face of South African protest was to change forever and a new chapter in the liberation struggle was written. See http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/june16/index.htm

As noted by AZAPO, FIFA and the LOC missed a beat today by not ensuring that a moment of silence prior to kick off be observed for the fallen youth of 1976.

Perhaps it is not such an oversight, given that the ‘trumpeters’, many probably unaware of the days historical significance, may not have been able to contain themselves. Now known as Youth Day, officially adopted by the African Union as the day of the African Child, today is public holiday in South Africa. It’s bitterly cold in the country and Johannesburg in particular. It snowed in the Western Cape mountains on Monday bringing a chill across the entire country. It’s a winter World Cup. The first since Argentina 1978. Thus far, the conditions should not have too much impact on the players most of whom ply their club football trade in northern wintery conditions. For the fans, trying keeping warm on a sub-zero Highveld evening, means the conditions have more of an edge to them – compared to say what this World Cup may have felt like on a summer’s day in January.

For sure, there was an edge around Ellis Park last night for Brazil (the people’s team or most fan’s second favorite) v. the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), (North) or ‘No Ko’ for short.

Ellis Park is one of the historic stadiums used for the World Cup and is situated at the edge of the Johannesburg CBD (Central Business District). It’s an urban stadium with older infrastructure and is not in the most gentile part of town. The police presence was particularly high including the unfortunate sight of mounted horseback South African Police Service (SAPS) harassing informal traders, no doubt those traders without FIFA permits, looking to make a few bob selling vuvuzelas, fan paraphernalia and other knick-knacks, including woolens. We were looking for blankets having not dressed properly for the match and I was happy to score a pair of gloves for 30 rands.

The Samba Boys didn’t disappoint. 

The No Kos impressed and exceeded expectations. Am I the only one left wondering what a force a unified Korea and Korean team could have on the world stage? The So Kos were thoroughly impressive against Greece, including JS Park’s fantastic goal. Now the No Kos hold Brazil for one half and score an impressive late consolation goal. 

After the stalemate between Portugal v Ivory Coast, increasingly Group G is living up to its pre-tournament billing as the Group of Death. Commonly referred to as ‘secretive nation,’ Kim Ill Jong probably never envisioned that in ‘group of death’, the reference would be to the nation’s real secret weapon – the national football squad. Ivory Coast and Portugal beware.

The Brazilians it has been said, unlike the Germans and Argentineans, didn’t actually work through the gears last night and cruised for much of the match. A focus rather on the sublime goals including Maicon’s wonderful near post strike, and Robinho’s perfectly weighted and angled pass to Elano for the second, and any criticism of the Brazilian performance seems over-stated. Brazil has announced their intent and they remain my pre-tournament favorites to take title for defense on home soil in 2014.

Having said that, my preference is to see a new team win the World Cup and especially a break the 30 year strangle hold of: Italy, Argentina, Germany, France and Brazil. These 5 nationals alone have been the contesting finalists in every World Cup since 1982. 

While I have only admiration for the Brazilian approach to football including their pro-African credentials playing warm match in the week proceeding South Africa with matches in Harare and Dar-es-Saalam, I hope they don’t win it on July 11th (depending on who they play in the knock rounds). However along with 100s of millions worldwide however, I won’t be surprised if they lift the World Cup at Soccer City given their total approach, quality in all positions, defensive foundation and attacking flair.

Its Honduras v Chile on the tele at present from Nelspruit, so far a lively and open encounter. By reputation, Chile will look to play an expansive attacking game while Honduras will seek to defend and hit on the counter-attack. I’m looking forward to this. Its 1-0 to Chile as the first half closes.

Later today its Spain v Switzerland from Moses Mahbida in hopefully warmer conditions in Durban. Despite craving a new World Cup Champion, I hope it is not Spain. Many pundit’s pre-tournament favorites, the Spanish did not endear themselves to South Africa on their visit last year for the Confederation Cup, with an arrogant approach and insensitive criticisms of the vuvuzelas. If they play beautiful football like they did when becoming European Champions in 2008, then who can begrudge them success. I just don’t fancy them and predict at best a semi-final exit. On the day, today, they should have enough to prevail over the Swiss.

Then this evening 20.30 local time, it’s the Bafana Bafana roller coaster again this time from Loftus Versfeld, Arcadia, Pretoria just a daily commute away from home. I am hoping to make it down to the stadium to roar on the Boys. 

For the sake of the tournament and the nation, Bafana Bafana need a result tonight. Uruguay were more than competitive and enterprising against the French and will be no push-over’s. For us locally based, the tournament will really hit another level of intensity and emotional investment if Bafana can prevail on this Day of the African Child. Besides decent nutrition, housing, and education, the African child needs to regain that inspirational intangible – hope – that Obama ‘yes we can’ spirit. Without being too naïve, for many children (and adults) across this land tonight, that’s exactly what a Bafana Bafana victory will mean!