Soweto dropped from Boks ticker tape parade
On the same day that that shining liberal, paragon of rationale and good sense JJ Harmse* saluted SARU for their role in helping the Boks win the World Cup, the geniuses in the Rugby administration dropped Soweto from the Johannesburg ticker tape parade. Instead, the parade will now focus on paying tribute to the sponsors with a trip past Vodaworld in Midrand, Sasol in Rosebank and ABSA in the city.
In the last two weeks we had well wishes from the ANC Youth League and Young Communists League prior to the final, President Mbeki at the final, Nelson Mandela visit Boktown and millions of black Bok supporters in the fan towns in the townships during the game. Then Cabinet had an entire cabinet meeting in Springbok regalia. And the sports ministry reversed its open antagonism to the Springbok colours, logo and coach.
And then SARU dropped Soweto from the ticker tape route. Maybe it's just me, but saying "We're going to have to drop Soweto from the route" out loud just sets off all sorts of alarm bells. Hell, if I say it in my head it sounds ridiculous.
What an opportunity missed. Imagine Bryan Habana holding the trophy aloft in Soweto. The symbolism and promotion opportunity just couldn't be beaten.
Funny, I thought ticker tape parades were about fans. Guess who pays the huge bank charges, high petrol prices and crazy cell phone rates that make the Bok sponsorship deals possible - the fans. If you wanted to thank the corporate staff, have a combined function.
Instead of having taken a trip via Vodaworld and stopped off at Sasol for lunch, logistics could have been eased by going directly via Sandton, the CBD and then on to Soweto ending up at Nasrec for a combined sponsors' function. As it is, the team is ending up at ABSA Boktown, Monte Casino.
They way they keeping shooting, I can't believe SARU have any feet left.
A suggestion SARU - announce tomorrow that you will be bringing the trophy to Soweto for a send off prior to the Wales/Barbarians tour.
*Every word is sarcasm - JJ Harmse should be writing on a blog called "The Blue Bulls are all that matter"
**Take a look at the fan response to the article on News24 - clearly the stupidity of the move is acknowledged by almost all rational South Africans.
In the last two weeks we had well wishes from the ANC Youth League and Young Communists League prior to the final, President Mbeki at the final, Nelson Mandela visit Boktown and millions of black Bok supporters in the fan towns in the townships during the game. Then Cabinet had an entire cabinet meeting in Springbok regalia. And the sports ministry reversed its open antagonism to the Springbok colours, logo and coach.
And then SARU dropped Soweto from the ticker tape route. Maybe it's just me, but saying "We're going to have to drop Soweto from the route" out loud just sets off all sorts of alarm bells. Hell, if I say it in my head it sounds ridiculous.
What an opportunity missed. Imagine Bryan Habana holding the trophy aloft in Soweto. The symbolism and promotion opportunity just couldn't be beaten.
Funny, I thought ticker tape parades were about fans. Guess who pays the huge bank charges, high petrol prices and crazy cell phone rates that make the Bok sponsorship deals possible - the fans. If you wanted to thank the corporate staff, have a combined function.
Instead of having taken a trip via Vodaworld and stopped off at Sasol for lunch, logistics could have been eased by going directly via Sandton, the CBD and then on to Soweto ending up at Nasrec for a combined sponsors' function. As it is, the team is ending up at ABSA Boktown, Monte Casino.
They way they keeping shooting, I can't believe SARU have any feet left.
A suggestion SARU - announce tomorrow that you will be bringing the trophy to Soweto for a send off prior to the Wales/Barbarians tour.
*Every word is sarcasm - JJ Harmse should be writing on a blog called "The Blue Bulls are all that matter"
**Take a look at the fan response to the article on News24 - clearly the stupidity of the move is acknowledged by almost all rational South Africans.
Labels: rugby, rugby world cup 2007, soweto, springboks, ticker tape
posted at 10:03 PM
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