Race, reconciliation and xenophobia

Ventersdorp

Following the murder of former leader of the AWB, Eugene Terre’Blanche, the town of Ventersdorp has been the epicentre of a debate about the presence of racial hatred in South Africa. Allegedly killed by two of his farm workers, Terre’Blanche’s fate highlights the complexity of relationships between farm owners and their staff.

By Simone Scholtz - 23 September 2010 - Multimedia, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia

Africa united behind Ghana’s Black Stars in the quarterfinal

The hope of an African team winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup was finally dashed when Uruguay beat Ghana on penalties at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. However, the sense of pride that an African team had progressed so far in the football tournament reverberated around the world.

By Jean Pierre Kepseu - 6 July 2010 - Africa United, Photo, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia

Forlan

After inspiring Uruguay to the semifinals, Diego Forlán can now be confident he ranks among the more recognizable faces among all Africans. The Atletico Madrid striker has become Public Enemy No. 1 after rubberstamping his status as the scourge of African football against Ghana.

By Joseph Opio - 6 July 2010 - Race, reconciliation and xenophobia, Text

Football tournament to raise awareness of xenophobia

When xenophobia raised its ugly head in 2008 in South Africa, the world was shocked by the intolerance that existed between local people and those who had come from other African nations to work in the country. The idea to combine raising awareness of xenophobia with a football tournament greatly appealed to the local community of Orange Farm.

By Andrew Esiebo - 5 July 2010 - Photo, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia

Africa Loses

There was nothing gallant about Ghana’s white-flag act in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals. Inept failures of nerve at the World Cup have become an African trademark since Italia ‘90. And against Uruguay, Ghana became the latest African team to self-destruct in the pressure-cooker of football’s ultimate contest. Sadly, like all African teams before it, Ghana’s naïve suicide act will be greeted by patronizing ‘hard-luck’ cheers instead of the scathing condemnation it deserves. Joe Opio writes a damning post-mortem.

By Joseph Opio - 5 July 2010 - Africa United, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia, Text

Rainbow Nation

There has been much talk of unity as the 2010 FIFA World Cup has kicked off in South Africa. After such a long history of division, has the Rainbow Nation been truly united across colour and race boundaries during the international soccer tournament?

By Simone Scholtz - 30 June 2010 - Africa United, Multimedia, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia

Soccer Africanised

Does Bafana Bafana reflect the demographics of the Rainbow Nation?

By Joseph Opio - 29 June 2010 - Africa United, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia, Text

United by Soccer: A history of South African football from apartheid to hosting the FIFA World Cup

From 1958 to 1992, South Africa was suspended from international soccer by FIFA, as a sanction against the prevailing racial segregation in the country. Black populations in country nevertheless played the game and used the discipline in the sport to circumvent association bans enforced by the white minority, as well as to maintain ties with militants in exile.

By Anne Mireille Mbiacob Nzouankeu - 28 June 2010 - Africa United, Race, reconciliation and xenophobia, Text