In reality it's no different to how it is any July. Three million people going about their daily lives; schools back; roads busy. But I know exactly what they mean. There's an eerie lack of World Cup in Cape Town, and across the whole country, this week. Nothing seems quite real. There's a kind of numbness about. I can't even feel properly upset at the Springboks losing to the All Blacks this morning, for the second week in a row !
Slowly, the enormity of what we pulled off is settling upon us. Our mood swings from intense pride to a melancholy sense of loss. Mandela's 92nd birthday is tomorrow and most people will be doing their 67 minutes of helping others. It's particularly pertinent this year given how we have got to know each other over the past month..
The best thing about this week has been hearing the World Cup stories of so many South Africans. I knew the World Cup would put this country on the international map but what I underestimated was just how much ordinary South Africans would get swept up in the event. I have yet to speak to even one person who was not deeply moved by what happened this past month.
This is the story of one Afrikaans family who sent their story in to Kfm radio station this week;
Hi
The Schreuder family just had one of our most amazing months ever. To truly appreciate how big the world cup impacted our lives you need to understand that we are a very conservative Afrikaans family who passionately follows rugby and cricket. Until the world cup, we have never watched a full soccer game together before. With the build up to the event my wife and kids was not too excited and did not expect it to be too big a deal....
Wow, were they wrong.
I literally cried when Bafana did not go through after playing so well against Mexico and France. Still they can keep their heads high and be proud. They should also know that going forward they will always have the Schreuders from Durbanville screaming at the top of their lungs whenever they play.
The Schreuder family on the Fan Mile in Cape Town.
We realized that we had to now pick a new team to support. We had a 50/50 split in our house with the girls supporting Germany and the boys backing Argentina. So we had to do the fan mile with the kids. We also made use of public transport to get there, which was another first for the Schreuders. What a great experience. The fan mile was pumping for the Argentina Germany game, with complete strangers stopping us to take pictures with us and especially our kids, who my wife transformed into
little works of art. We will never forget the vibe and the camaraderie we experienced that day.
Now it is all over, but our lives have been changed by this wonderful event and we will never be the same. If you have any doubts, have a look at this.... to see how sport can change the world.
Schreuder son with new friends on the Fan Mile.
Regards,
The Schreuders from Durbanville
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