THE LONG WALK FROM FREEDOM TO FREESTYLE
South Africa’s sporting history over the years is clearly connected to the country’s turbulent political history and the struggle for freedom. The recent Oscar-nominated “Invictus”, about how the 1995 Rugby World Cup helped unite the nation, is clear evidence of this.
Football travelled a rocky road during Apartheid, with racially divided football teams isolated from the rest of world. But once South Africa had won its freedom in the early 90’s, the international doors were open as the country embraced the sport with as much passion and fervour as it did for its new found love for a racially united country.
In 1948 the National Party of South Africa established the governing laws of Apartheid and created a nation racially divided and living apart. With it came laws that not only forbid people of different colour to play on the same team, the racially divided teams were not even allowed to play against each other.
The Football Association of South Africa (FASA) was for whites only and received significant funding and support from the government, while the rest of the nation had to find its own resources to develop the sport. After the bloody Soweto Uprising in 1976, South Africa was expelled from World events and so began the long period of sanctioned isolation.
But despite the lack of support, the nation’s hunger and passion for the game meant that even during the height of Apartheid, the township’s were alive with football fever. Legendary football teams like the Orlando Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs were able to amass fans and generate incredible players like Jomo Sono and Doctor Khumalo. These players often spent their time freestyling in the townships and this is one of the avenues where freestyle football came to be.
In 1991, as the structures of Apartheid toppled, the racially integrated South African Football Association (SAFA) was formed and Bafana Bafana, the nickname for South Africa’s national team, was born and began a period of meteoric football playing against teams such as Cameroon, Zambia and Nigeria.
The history of the downfall of Apartheid and the post-1994 South Africa is complex, but it can be said that at it’s core it came down to the people of the countries tenacious faith and belief in freedom and equality. Similarly the rise of football throughout the dark days of Apartheid was fueled by a similar sense of faith and belief.
On the 10th of May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the president of South Africa. He broke away from the official inauguration celebration to attend a friendly match between South Africa and Zambia at Ellis Park Stadium.
It is now recognised internationally that the sport of freestyle football is synonymous with freedom. This is at its core the essence of freestyle and of football in general. Although it helps, financial support is of little use if you do not have the passion and imagination to push yourself to be a great freestyle footballer. And it’s beautiful to think that so long as you have a ball and unnerving commitment and creativity, you can become a world-class baller.
Cape Town will be welcoming 59 countries to it’s shores and these countries will have the priviledge of celebrating Freedom Day with South Africa on 27 April.
On 28 April the Red Bull Street Style World Final will take place at the Grand Parade in which will house some of the world’s best freestyle footballers.
After 2 days of qualifier rounds, the top 16 will go on to compete for the title of World Champion. The importance of the Freedom Day will not be lost on these ballers as they stall, tap and juggle their way to the World Final.
Schedule Red Bull Street Style World Final Cape Town 2010:
Saturday, 24 April 2010: Arrival of Athletes
Sunday, 25 April 2010: Practice Day
Monday, 26 April 2010: Qualifier Day 1 – Group Battles
Tuesday, 27 April 2010: Qualifier Day 2 – Group Battles
Wednesday, 28 April 2010: World Final – Top 16
