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Sure vuvuzelas provide an endless hum not dissimilar to a hive of bees, but when did everyone get so anti-noise at football matches?
Vuvuzelas buzz. Vuvuzelas buzz loudly. But Vuvuzelas are also uniquely South African. So why is everyone acting as if it’s real bees making all this noise?
The World Cup attracts different expressions of support, often reflecting the culture of the supporter’s nationality. Trumpets, drums, whistles, chants, we’ve seen (and heard) them all. And hey, some supporters are even willing to bring on a little riot too. It’s all a part of the fun and excitement of attending a football match.
Football is the world game because it ignites our passions, our team pride, and in the World Cup’s case, our national pride. And for South Africans, the vuvuzela is the utmost expression of national pride, and boy do they have fun expressing their national pride.
It also appears to be extremely infectious, with other team supporters creating vuvuzelas adorned with the national colours of their own team. As the saying goes, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’, and that’s exactly what the hordes of overseas fans are doing. And who can blame them. If you were there, I’m sure you’d do the same. If only everyone could embrace the vuvuzela as supporters in South Africa have.
The call for banning the vuvuzela is immensely arrogant and ethnocentric. Overseas commentators have surely faced worse than this humble bit of plastic. Notable players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi complaining about it affecting their focus and disturbing their concentration is ridiculous. As a viewer, sure, you notice it at first, but after a while, it just becomes white noise. If it’s the game you’re paying attention to, you’d realise this.
During the opening match of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, what was most annoying was not the vuvuzela, but the poor organisation which led to SBS commentators sitting just a metre away from another overseas commentator. It wasn’t meant to be broadcast in two languages, but it was (even if it was accidental), and that was far more irritating than the hum of the vuvuzelas.
If we start suggesting a ban on vuvuzelas, what’s next? A ban on instruments? A ban on cheering? What would football become? What would an English match be like without the infamous ‘Ingalend, Ingalend, Ingalend’ chant?
Just some food for thought.
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