The rainbow has a blue stripe...

I could write a whole essay on my experience and reflections after the Rugby Super 14 Final in Soweto this weekend. But for 'blogging' sakes I'll keep it short with lots of pictures in between!

The Stormer supporters, although few and far between arrived from the South in a bold gesture of facing their rivals on home ground. And that's what Soweto became home for the Blue Bull supporters, or perhaps it has always been, but the opportunity to share the common 'love' hadn't never been given a chance?


As we entered the township with the shuttle bus, from my elevated view all I could see was a sea of Blue, flowing into every house, shebeen, alley, road, conversation and vuvuzela! This 'final' brought together more than just two teams. It brought two extreme cultures into one space revealing connections and shared humanity, which would never have been realised in such positive and open way - had it not been for the neutral ground of sport. This 'rugby final' facilitated the locals and the Bulls supporters to share, laugh, be hooligans and 'kuier' together.

I had to keep reminding myself of the 'hugeness' of what it was that I was experiencing and seeing, and how significant this day really was. While I enjoyed spontaneous conversation and ridiculous interaction with overboard excited Bulls fans I kept myself inwardly happy with the realisation that in every interaction happening around me, this neutral ground of sport was creating what used to be written off as 'impossible' reconciliation! The real victory and celebration lay in the unity and cross cultural interaction that happened spontaneously at the rugby final!

I left Soweto on Saturday night so grateful and excited to be apart of this nation - a rainbow that truly reflects the diversity and beauty of humanity. And even as a Stormer supporter, I couldn't deny, that the rainbow isn't complete without the blue stripe. The blue stripe compliments the rainbow's colours, and it proudly stands alongside the rest!