“Waka waka eh eh” seems to be the theme tune to my life at the moment. No matter where you are or what you are doing, it is there. You cannot ignore the excitement, the happiness, and most importantly the unity. Every day feels like Friday.

Walking through the streets of Sandton a couple of weeks ago was indescribable; the electrifying atmosphere was utterly infectious. I have never felt anything quite like it. Absolute chaos had taken over and people were hysterically excited. Every intersection was gridlocked and distinct smell of burnt clutch filtered through the air. Cars had broken down along the way but this did not hinder the overwhelming sense of pride and enthusiasm. You wouldn’t think that this situation would get people excited for Bafana Bafana, but it did.

It was undeniable that that the nation was on patriotic high. Flags and vuvuzelas were out in full force as well as any memorabilia depicting South Africa. The creativity of South Africans was on full display. The various outfits, makarapa, and painted faces were playful and showed the true personality of our nation. Our time had arrived, we felt it…it was here. The country stood together in anticipation for the opening ceremony and the battle against Mexico.

I always get teary at sporting events when the national anthem is sung. The song brings unity; even if it is only for the few minutes we sing it. Last Friday was no different - the tears welled and for good reason. What fills my heart this time around is that the sense of unity has not faded with the anthem. It is evident every day; I hope that it doesn’t leave when all the teams and fans do. I have always been proudly South African but nothing could have prepared me for the attitude our people have had towards this competition.

South Africans always tend to surprise me. After the loss we suffered to Uruguay I thought people would be negative; believe me, there were a few insults thrown around. Instead of feeling down about the result, I was surrounded by hope. The group of spectators that I was with automatically started discussing what Bafana Bafana needed to maintain their chance in the tournament.

Perhaps this World Cup has been the glue we have needed. Irrespective of whether we profit financially from the tournament or not, the wonderful game of soccer has provided us with something so much more: people from different cultures and backgrounds uniting to show the world what a wonderful place Africa is.

To have your faith renewed is a gift. The World Cup has been the platform that has provided us with this renewal of faith, and I hope that we don’t lose it anytime soon. If you are feeling low after the last performance from our boys, hum the tune “Waka waka eh eh”, wave your South African flag and the gees will instantly filter through. Together we shall stand!

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