RSSGone Fishing
Dr. Khumalo
In case you’re wondering why I’ve gone a little quiet on the big themes, it’s because I’m home, in Cape Town, for a couple of weeks. And the most charming thing I’ve seen in the 24 hours I’ve been here is a TV ad that recalls some of what I’ve been thinking about football’s place in breaking down apartheid: It depicts Soweto in the late 60s, and a bunch of kids are getting a game together, picking teams. And then you realize the captains are the legendary Jomo Sono and Ace Ntsoelengoe. And they’re picking from the greats of that generation, Teenage Dladla, Computer Lamolo etc. And then there’s a little kid, who tells them he’s name is Doctor Khumalo (who, some 10 years younger, later became a great Bafana Bafana playmaker), and they let him play because his dad is a famous pro. And then comes a little blonde white boy, looking a little shy. And of the black kids shouts in Xhosa, “Don’t pick him, he probably plays like a cow.” But Jomo Sono throws the ball to the kid who says his name is Gary. And he says “Okay, Gary, you can be my goalkeeper.” (Gary Bailey, blonde and blue eyed, after a successful career as a Manchester United keeper, came home to play in goal for Kaizer Chiefs…) Teared me up, a little, that one did, because outside of progressive politics, the football field was the first place that black and white South Africans met as equals.
Anyway, I’ll be off for a couple of weeks, but back on the big themes soon enough.
Cheers
Tony
P.S. My breakfast yesterday of smoked snoek with mango, and then with egg, reminded me of the versatility of a Cape Town-unique fish whose appeal has been elegized by Calvin Trillin. It really is an essential part of growing up in this city…
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22 Responses to “Gone Fishing”
Hey there - hope you’re having a brilliant time in Cape Town. Better than Liverpool, hey? If they had to have an American owner did they really need to choose a Bush-backing Texan?
Good to hear that you are in Africa. Kama ndugu, bwana. I have been reading your football stories, and was happy to see a new, nostalgic addition. Samantha (4 months pregnant!) and I are adjusting more every day, have moved up the mountain (Meru) to a great house in a village of banana groves and small shambas (plots). We miss our friends, but the internet and its miracles help us with that.
Hope you are well, that your family is well, and taht Smith street is surviving without our business. If not, from time to time buy a coffee for me and I’ll send you some T shillings.
Please, if Tanzania fascinates you at all (there is plenty to facniate, aside from animals and craters, trust me!), drop us a line and visit.
Keep in touch.
Marcello
Gavin — on Liverpool’s new owners (”Reds for Bush”?), the less said the better. I guess this is what it feels like to be an AC Milan supporter. I guess owners are temporary, quality is eternal or something (add your own cliche here)…
Marcello — great to hear from you in far-off Arusha, and congratulations on your imminent procreation! Smith Street? They seem to have taken your departure as license to begin its mall-ification. The Dominoes was there before you left, but since then there’s now a Dunkin Donut on the opposite corner, and the old Chinese dollar store on the corner of Smith and Wyckoff is being turned into a Starbucks. (But people of integrity will continue to sip Gorilla Coffee at Boerum Hill, don’t worry… besides the consumer politics of it, the coffee’s actually much better…)
There goes the neighborhood and all that. How long, do you think, before Starbucks opens in Arusha?
Tony - actually I had thought about you and the advert with Jomo picking a team, though I always wondered how Bruce got to be walking around a field in the township in the dark days of group areas act??
Any way please phone me on my cell - have been trying to get hold of you for the last 10 days.
Max
I hope you’re enjoying your vacation! Do you know that you’re quoted extensively in the current issue of “The Christian Century?” I had one of those vicarious thrills when I saw your name. “Hey! I know who he is! Hey! I read that blog entry!” It may be a whole new audience for your musings.
Hi Moderator: Good content. Any info about fishing tips ?
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