Leave the great indoorsnotes on the journey

The ultimate blog post to defend the use of vuvuzelas at World Cup matches has already been written, but based on the constant Twitter and Facebook onslaught I am getting about this, I really have to say a couple of things about it too.

First, consider the lead-up to this tournament.  Think about the endless mockery of FIFA’s choice, the stream of articles on how South Africa does not have the ability or infrastructure to host an event of this scale.  And most recently, the ridiculous reports in the British press of machete wars and who knows what else.  We just sucked it up, and quietly went about our preparations.

And now, here we are, in some of the most beautiful stadiums the world has ever seen, at a tournament that is running smoothly.  Reporters on the ground are talking about the “sustained display of pure joy” by South Africans in hosting and enjoying this event.  There are the constant great reviews of our hospitality and friendliness.  So instead of fighting about inefficiency or bad logistics at matches, we’re fighting about vuvuzelas?

Ok, we’re fighting about vuvuzelas.  So come, let us reason together.

This whole debate eventually boils down to one simple question: What responsibility does a host nation of an event have towards foreign visitors to the event? That really is it.  If you look at the arguments on both sides, that is what it comes down to.

• Vuvuzela supporters defend its usage by saying that it’s part of an African World Cup experience, that you can’t make us change our ways just because you’re bothered by it.
• Vuvuzela haters say it is annoying, distracting, and when it comes down to it, rude to impose it on them.  They’re basically saying:  “Do this at your own matches, but don’t bring it to the World Cup.”

So what is our responsibility to visitors?  Three things:

• Keep them safe
• Show them a great time
• Give them an African experience

It’s that last one that’s the crux of the matter.  Why travel all the way to South Africa just to have a soccer tournament that looks like it could be in America or Europe?  Why would you want to be in the country for the soccer, but lose out on all the other authentic, local experiences we have to offer?  And why would we want you to miss out on everything that makes us who we are?  Isn’t an important part of hospitality making you one of us, instead of viewing you as an outsider and walking on egg shells around you?  And by the way, FIFA president Joe Blatter agrees:

I understand that the sound is annoying to some.  For us, we can’t imagine it any other way.  Yes, we need to make you feel welcome here.  And we really want you to have a fantastic time.  But we also want you to experience what it means to live in Africa.  So instead of complaining about the vuvuzela, pick one up at your friendly street corner vendor, and blow it.  All the time.  Go sit in a coffee shop and read the local paper.  Get out of Sandton and go have a beer in Soweto.  Rent a car and get out of town into the unimaginable beauty that awaits you.  You’ll see why we love our country so much.

And to those who are watching the games on mute on their TVs and complaining from afar — you really are missing out.  That constant droning symbolizes the exhilaration, stress, and release that is at the heart of what makes soccer such a great game.  Come on, give it another shot, and try to live it with us, not just watch it.

So, listen.  We’re not being rude.  We’re inviting you to come in and make yourself at home.  Please don’t be rude by refusing the invitation.

:============<()   Save the vuvuzela!