The so-called first-world countries predicted doom and gloom. Some had the audacity to say it was a mistake to hold the world's biggest show in a third world country. They said it was too big to be held in an African country while others simply said Africa was too dangerous.

Two weeks later, visitors from different countries of the world have publicly said not only is the world cup 2010 the best organised ever, they are glad and lucky to have chosen to go to South Africa because, to many of the fans, it is more beautiful than their own countries.

A fan from Honduras, who was among other fans on their way to Bloemfontein for their team's third match in the tournament had this to say: "We are very happy. Even though we lost we still have the joy and fun of this beautiful county," said Raul Rodas.

Their highlights of their two week South African trip so far were "the animals in Kruger National Park" and -- a recurring theme -- South Africa's people. "We had a good time here," they smiled. "This is a world party."

Not even the deafening sound of the Vuvuzelas has managed to dampen the general feel-good factor manifested by what we have seen and continue to see on the faces of the people of all colours.  

The South Africans, black and white, the performance of the Bafana Bafana not withstanding, seem to have decided this is a party of their lifetime and nothing would stop their 'once-in-a-lifetime' celebration.

Then there have been these incredible moments when players and fans cry as their national anthems are being played. You see these feelings of patriotism and nationalism at their very best and you wonder why some Ugandans have vowed never to ever sing the national anthem just because, to them, their country does not come first!

To the South Africans and other countries of the world, hosting a big show like the world cup is something to kill for. To Ugandans, hosting of CHOGM, even before our thieves stole the taxpayers' money, politicians went all over the world and did everything within their obscenely limited powers, to stop CHOGM being held in their own country Uganda.  

Africa is a beautiful continent but politics and politicians have really messed it up. It has lakes and rivers. It has mountains and forests. It has animals, big and small, and it has beautiful birds some of which the world has never seen.

Uganda has what it takes to be as prosperous as South Africa as long as we spend more time on productive work than on politics. When South Africans build their economy, politics was in abeyance.

United States and Europe first developed their economies particularly after the wars and then they allowed politics knowing the economy was strong enough to withstand the pressures of greedy and selfish politicians.

No wonder, as he neared his resignation, George Washington wrote a letter to his fellow Americans warning them of the danger of politicians, and how they would turn the government from a group of people interested in their nation's future to a rabbling mob of power hungry professional politicians.

He compared the competition of parties to inflammation: "A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."

For us to reach the level of hosting the WORLD CUP, there might be need to shelve politics until such a time when it can no longer stand in the way of progress.

June 25 - July 1st, 2010 blog comments powered by Disqus

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