Well we’re half way through the World Cup and I’ve got vuvu ear and a beer belly. The ear is not from the noise but from whacking myself with the damn thing as I tried to negotiate the portaloos at the Fan Fest. The beer belly has appeared all by itself.
Other than that, everything is going superbly here in Cape Town. Even the weather has been amazing much of the time. No doubt the economy has suffered from people skiving off work but those same people have been key in boosting the nation’s spending on essentials such as beer. And face paint. And patriotic wing-mirror socks.
Long Street during the opening ceremony was crazy – the balconies lining the road were packed, all the bars were brimming over and a clamour of people thronged the street. The tangible excitement had me sobbing gently into my drink during the singing of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica.
Then there’s the main Fan Fest - outside the beautiful City Hall with the mountain as a backdrop – which has a capacity for 25 000. I was there when Bafana Bafana beat France 2-1 and I’ve never been hugged by so many strangers. What a bittersweet victory for our boys. At least they went out holding their heads high.
In contrast after Germany humiliated England I saw one England supporter gently reeling, shoulders slumped under his flag, tears running through his face paint and on to his England shirt. But he said he loved Cape Town and Africa and he’d be supporting Ghana from now on and would I give him a kiss go on darling just one. Ah, England – with such fans, how did you lose?
But my favourite experience so far has been the Fan Walk, a 2.6km stretch between the centre of town and the stadium which comes alive on Cape Town match days. I was there last Friday along with a record 72 910 people – yikes! Joseph (now 4) came too and was so overexcited he had to lie down and stroke the astroturf on the side of the road and hug all the trees that we passed. I even caught him licking a lamppost. There were drummers, singers, stilt walkers, laser lights, marching bands, sculptures, rubber puppets of Mandela and Tutu, and tens of thousands of Netherlands supporters in bright orange. It was a warm, clear evening, and as we walked westwards towards the setting sun the mountain behind us blushed orange and pink. Ahead in the darkening evening the massive stadium began to glow. It looked surreal - like a humming space ship and us all the jubilant brainwashed abductees of FIFA.
And now there are just a handful of matches left and – hooray – a few rest days. But who to support? My head says Brazil but my heart, along with most of Africa, shouts Ghana. Go Africa’s pride! What a celebration that would be, and what a boost for the continent in which man kicked his first ball. Probably. Let’s keep this party going!
PS There’s an advert here in which a footballer rolls around on the ground in apparent agony (is it just me or is it only the European footballers who do that?). On rushes the medic, who pulls from his bag... a comb and a can of hairspray. The ad’s message? ‘Football is for sissies. Play rugby.’
Highlights for July, selected from WhatsoninCapeTown.com - the indispensable guide to all that's happening in Cape Town. For more events and full details of venues, times, ticket prices etc check out the website. Upcoming events include festivals, shows and fairs; music, theatre and dance; rugby and other sporting events; comedy and concerts and exhibitions; celebrations of wine and whiskey, flowers and freedom... bring it on, Cape Town!
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VODACOM FUNNY
FESTIVAL to 11
July
An annual festival of international stand-up comedy showcasing, amongst others,
Cape Town favourites Riaad Moosa and Alan Comittie well as UK
star Jason Wood and local heavyweight Trevor Noah.
PHOTOGRAPHY: JURGEN SCHADEBERG to 15
July
This exhibition of images captured during pivotal moments in the 50s by ‘The
Father of South African photography’ represents the life and struggle of many South
Africans including Nelson Mandela, Moroka, Walter Sisulu and Yusuf Dadoo.
ART: THE ESSENTIAL EXHIBITION to 16
July
Seven of South Africa's internationally acclaimed artists - Beezy Bailey,
Willie Bester, Rachelle Bomberg, Norman Catherine, Gail Catlin, Uwe Pfaff and
Robert Slingsby - showcase works from past and present. This is an opportunity
to meet the artists and purchase a selection of their works.
THEATRE: AESOP'S FABLES to 17
July
The popular stories of the Boy Who Cried
Wolf, The Tortoise and the Hare
and The Ant and the Grasshopper
are brought to life in a musical theatre showcase by the world-renowned Isango
Portobello team.
ART: CAPE
CREATIVE ART EXHIBITION to 18
July
A multi-disciplinary exhibition of local creative talent in design, film,
fine arts and the performing arts in collaboration with the Africa Centre's
Badilisha Poetry Exchange.
MUSIC:MOZART'S REQUIEM 1 July
The New Apostolic Choir and Orchestra is joined by well-known soloists for one
of Mozart's greatest and most popular works.
STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL 1 July- 5 July
An annual festival with wine tastings, opportunities to meet the winemakers and
live entertainment. Park-and-ride available.
MUSIC: ARNO
CARSTENS 2 July
The hugely popular soft rock artist, now based in the UK, performs material from his
three solo albums including his latest release Wonderful Wild, which has received international acclaim.
PICK 'N' PAY
KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL 2 July- 11 July
A 10 day celebration of sport, food, wine, music and leisure activities.
Musical performances by DJ Shaun Duvet, DJ Cleo, Flat Stanley and The
Parlotones.
STELLENBOSCH INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2 July - 11 July
Chamber groups, comprising of local and international music students, perform
classical favourites from the likes of Mozart and Dvorak.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH: QUARTER-FINALS 3 July
Venue: Cape Town
Stadium, Green Point Time: 4pm
FIFA FAN FEST:
FRESHLYGROUND 3 July
The dynamic and hugely successful Afro-Fusion band performs their many hits
including Pot Belly.
COMEDY:
BAFUNNY BAFUNNY VICTORY TOUR 4 July- 5 July
Back by popular demand - top South African comedians Marc Lottering, Barry
Hilton, Trevor Noah, Nik Rabinowitz, Loyiso Gola, Kagiso Lediga, Mark Banks and
John Vlismas share the stage for an evening of proudly South African comedy.
HIV and AIDS
Awareness Concert 5 July
Artists include Jimmie Earl Perry, Godfrey Johnson, Kaylim Davids, Hilton
Andries, Rouchelle Liedemann, Janelle Visagie and the Mike Campbell Rhythm
Orchestra.
MUSIC: AKING AND
FRIENDS 5 July
The melodic pop-rock band are joined by Ashtray Electric, Taxi Violence, Hog
Hoggidy Hog and Haasbroek in an all-rock line-up.
COMEDY: CRACKS AND
THE CITY 5 July- 11 July
Local comedians Marc Lottering, Anthea Thompson, Shimmy Isaacs, Anne Hirsch and
veteran award-winning columnist Marianne Thamm share their comical life
experiences.
FIFA
FAN FEST: THE GUGULETHU TENORS 6 July
The world-renowned quartet performs opera and traditional South African
favourites.
2010
FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH: SEMI-FINALS 6 July
Venue: Cape Town
Stadium, Green Point Time: 8.30pm
CONCERT: BRYAN ADAMS 13 July
The Canadian rock phenomenon has maintained a hugely successful career over
three decades with chart topping hits such as Run To You, Heaven,
Summer of 69 and (Everything I Do) I Do It for You.
WINDHOEKBERGRIVER
CANOE MARATHON 14 July- 17 July
This 4 day, 202km race has been held every year for 47 years and is not only
the longest canoe race in South
Africa but one of the most strenuous and
gruelling in the world.
MUSICAL: DISTRICT SIX 15 July- 17 July
Written by David Kramer and Taliep Petersen this love story is set against the
forced removals of a Cape Town
community during the 1960s.
RUGBY: WESTERNPROVINCE
v LIONS 17 July
ABSA Currie Cup Match. The local boys take on the Gauteng Lions.
FRANSCHHOEK BASTILLE
FESTIVAL 17 July- 18 July The
town’s annual celebration of its centuries-old French Huguenot heritage with
a feast of food, wine, activities and entertainment.
BREEDEKLOOF
SOETES AND SOUP 23 July- 24 July
A celebration of home-made country soups, crackling fireplaces, dessert wines
and country hospitality. visitors are welcomed with a cup of hearty home-made
soup at the wineries, while other activities include art exhibitions, red-wine
barrel tasting, wine blending, cellar tours, cheese and olive tastings, live
music and more.
KIRSTENBOSCH
WINTER CONCERT: KAREN ZOID 25 July
The enduringly popular South African rock diva performs hits from her latest
album Alive In The Postmodern World.
THEATRE: KAROO MOOSE 27 July- 7 August
Traditional African storytelling blends with magical realism in this story of a
girl who has a life-changing encounter.
Well we’re half way through the World Cup and I’ve got vuvu ear and a beer belly. The ear is not from the noise but from whacking myself with the damn thing as I tried to negotiate the portaloos at the Fan Fest. The beer belly has appeared all by itself. 