Honk South Africa's Horn: Vuvuzelas

This year’s World Cup features one of the most unexpected conflicts: the so controversial vuvuzelas. As we all know by now, vuvuzelas come from kudu horn, one that was blown to summon African villagers to meetings. Apparently, vuvuzelas did not become popular until the late 1990′s. As a result, they started being manufactured for the masses in early 2000 and are now quite popular at concerts and massive events, including the World Cup. These instruments come in a wide variety of colors and sport a warning sign against blowing the horn into someone’s ear.

When South Africa was declared the host of the next World Cup, the excitement of the South Africans boosted the proliferation of the apparently generic Viagra-enhanced horn. Made out of commercial plastic, shaped similar to a beer yard-glass and rather cheap, they began being sold to thousands of people. What is the deal with vuvuzelas, then?

The noisy instrument, some say, resembles an annoying bee-like sound. Played one at a time, vuvuzelas are said to be less annoying; however, thousands of fans blowing on these horns make a sound unacceptable for many to stay and watch the game live. Many TV channels that transmit the game from South Africa also complained that vuvuzelas are too noisy and they should be banned. However, FIFA did not interdict their usage and, noisy or not, they are still being used.

Some of those watching the games from home have had to choose a lower volume setting, like journalist Jon Qwelane. Overall, only South Africa seems excited about vuvuzelas. In fact, blowing vuvuzelas will always remain in the history of South Africa’s version of the FIFA World Cup. Apart from the organization of the games, vuvuzelas have become the South African legacy to Soccer World Cups to come. Though vuvuzelas are a close manifestation of the country’s traditions, these are not the only thing they would like to be remembered by.

Immense efforts were made to have appropriate soccer facilities on time for the World Cup. Authorities have given vuvuzela users – the fans- the responsibility as to how and when these are used. Claimed to be an important part of South African culture, FIFA decided vuvuzelas should be allowed inside stadiums. Crowds expect the next World Cup to be quieter in terms of vuvuzelas and their noise and expect a much more enjoyable time. Not so many soccer clubs around the World promote the use of vuvuzelas during their matches. At least that is what clubs in the Premier League state. Though the future use of these instruments in the soccer world cannot be foreseen, many hope the conflictive instrument does not make it through. I, for one, love them.

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