A Letter from Bongani

This is a letter from Bongani James Thomson. He lives in Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. He is 20 years old, loves soccer and hopes to make a career in the sporting industry. He is working at one of the stadium during the World Cup.

The first game was amazing. People in Pietermaritzburg started blowing vuvuzelas and dancing in the street hours before kick off. I watched the game on a big screen at one of the local stadiums with close to 2000 people and it felt as if we were at a real game. As I predicted the atmosphere and the spirit of belief here carried the boys and we were unlucky not to win. We are all really proud of the way they played against such strong opponents. I have no doubt that we will make it to the next round.

The opening concert was really cool and as I’m sure you saw that South Africa, and Africa in general, is just partying for, like, a whole month. When you walk down the street with a Bafana Bafana jersey you will be greeted with big smiles. I think the local artists held their own with such big international performers and I really enjoyed it. The Black Eyed Peas disappointed though.

In general the atmosphere here is really exciting. People have not been as patriotic since South Africa won the African Cup of Nations. [South Africa hosted and won the 20th ACN competition in 1996.] There are flags on almost every single car that drives by. Watching each person trying to out do the other its great. You can here the sounds of vuvuzelas from early in the morning to late at night.

I have a job at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. I’ve actually just got back from the on-site training. I’m working for an American merchandising company called AEG. You might have heard of them as they own the David Beckham company and the LA Lakers. Anyway I’m going to be helping to sell merchandise at the stadium.

Unfortunately, I won’t get to see much of the games there because we will be very busy but sharing in the atmosphere is great too. The stadium is amazing and  so well designed. They say that no matter where you are in the stadium you are no more than, I think, 200m away from the centre spot. The pitch is immaculate and I know there will be some history made there.

Anyway on to the soccer. As you probably know our soccer has been going down a dark path of poor results fighting between management and I think 13 coaches in 12 years. But we have had a good pre-tournament training and we may – with a few draws – make it to the next round.  We are in a tough group but maybe home soil will motivate the boys.

I do have my thoughts when it comes to the winners and i think you guys [England] have a good chance with Rooney having dominated in the league and showing no signs of stopping but putting Heskey in the team hummmmmmmmm I don’t know. I think he is past his sell-by-date. My money is on Spain though. I just think they have underachieved and will be out to prove something and being an Arsenal fan I’m hoping that Fabregas will do well even though he is leaving.

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