this is africa

For anyone who has watched the movie "Blood Diamond" where Leonardo De Caprio takes his best shot at a South(ern) African accent (I say Southern, as technically, the character was from Rhodesia) you would have heard the phrase 'T.I.A.', meaning, 'THIS IS AFRICA'... The phrase is basically a sinical response to anything that is injust, or something that is below par in our continent, explaining that it is ok because we are in Africa. An extremely cheap example; when our local tv station completely messes up a live broadcast, people will jokingly remark "TIA right?". Emplying, its ok because in Africa, mediocrity is acceptable.

However, that statement has been completely reinvented with the extremely popular and overplayed song, "waka waka" performend by Shakira and Freshly Ground. The song quickly became the anthem of the world cup, and the anthem of Africa. It has started its own mini revolution by saying "THIS IS AFRICA" in a completely different light. It sings the sentance with pride and dignity. It is about exclaiming the beauty of Africa, and being unashamed of its downfalls or its past.

This world cup has done something for South Africa that no amount of food or forgien relief could do. It has made our people PROUD to be South African, and PROUD to be African. I think the country has woken up and realised that we are not just poor and badly treated Africa, and we cannot just settle for second best. Our government and organising comittees have proven that with a bit of hard work and determination, we can achieve greatness.

Although this has been felt accross the continent of Africa, I think the greatest impact was on the host nation, South Africa. I really hope that we as South Africans, who have become proudly African, will take some responsibility for our continent, and not rely on the West. As Africans, we can and must stick up for eachother and the greater good of our continent.

The 2010 Football World Cup has been dubbed as the greatest world cup in history. We Did it! South Africa showed the world the world its worth. No longer will TIA be a sinical comment, but rather a statement of Pride because this is our country. This is our continent. These are our people.

THIS IS AFRICA