The World Cup excludes much of South Africa.
Vuvuzelas and looming hi-def screens; barefoot African children dribbling a ball and coaches thumping their chests; Desmond Tutu’s adorable dance and Bill Clinton’s loss of voice. These moments were caught by World Cup fans from bleachers, taverns, and couches around the world. Whether they shrieked in glory or hid their faces in embarrassment (North Korea, anyone?), the suspense, the energy, and the drinks continued, and will do so until the final game, when the buzz around the scores, players, and celebrities reaches its apex.
But beyond the star players and scores are political, economic, and social contexts. The presence of the world’s most popular sporting event in a country half submerged in poverty was bound to draw attention from NGO’s, activists, politicians, and community-empowerment organizations. Stories surfaced: the South African government was investing more in the Cup than its citizens. It “re-located” homeless people to city outskirts. FIFA claimed a monopoly on business within the stadiums, and rights to the “2010” emblem, driving local vendors’ to penury. Through the lens of the international sport, we have seen how a nation reacts when given options of image versus sustainability, corporations versus citizens, and television versus reality. We have seen that the World Cup may not be for the world after all.
However, another response to the prevalent corporate interests and financial bypassing prevailed. The Poor People’s World Cup began with the vision to provide locals (most of which cannot afford tickets, sell their goods at the stadiums, or live nearby if the home was not presentable enough) an opportunity to participate in the games. The event also illuminates the Cup’s detrimental effects on the region, many of which are overshadowed by the fervor surrounding star players and scores. Started by The Anti-Eviction Campaign, the completely free PPWC kicked off on June 13th and features teams from 42 impoverished Cape Town communities. Ashraf Cassiem,The Coordinator of the AEC told CNN,
“It’s a platform created by poor people, for poor people, to expose the evictions and displacements affecting poor people in a negative way.”
The teams, named after countries from around the world, compete for the R5000 grand prize. The final game is scheduled for July 4th. And while the PPWC features locals, it does not limit its audience; it encourages fans from the World Cup to wander beyond FIFA’s borders and see another facet of the country and the sport.
With this alternative, one of the Cup’s fundamental principles is implemented: uniting communities. These particular ones may not be able to afford tickets, sell their goods, or live nearby, but they can do what so many others around the world (despite political, religious, and economic differences) love to do – they can enjoy a good game.
Other articles by Victoria:
Hearing the Victim: A Review of Voice of Witness Book Series
Businesses Accuse Yelp! of Fraudulent Practices
The Korean Deli: A New York Essential
Victoria is a writer for various social change and environment-focused websites. Previously, Victoria taught English in Thailand and worked in the film industry on sets, at festivals, and in production offices. Born and raised in Virginia, Victoria studied film and English at Boston University. She looks forward to future international adventures and hopefully, the eventual publication of her short stories and the novel she has just begun. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by δiαnδяα αlyα putяi . δiαnδяα αlyα putяi said: RT @FIFAWorldCupSA: 2010 World Cup Series: For the Poor http://bit.ly/b3B4zn [...]
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