Death To The Vuvuzela

June 18th, 2009 | by: chris |

That giant swarm of insects you’ve been hearing at every Confederations Cup game is not, in fact, one of the Biblical Plagues migrating south. It’s actually called a vuvuzela, and it’s quintessentially South African. Problem is, it’s also quintessentially obnoxious. If you’ve watched even 30 seconds of a Confederations Cup, you’ve surely noticed the all-enveloping buzzing sound – and chances are those horns are the reason you only watched 30 seconds.

For those (lucky few) who haven’t heard…

What you may not know is they were actually banned before the Confederations Cup, what with multiple FIFA officials pouring blood out of their ears during initial visits to South African domestic matches. But given that they are now so rooted in the South African football experience, FIFA decided to allow them after all. Much to the dismay of a number of people, including the players, like Xabi Alonso:

“I think they should be banned. They make it very difficult for the players to communicate with each other and to concentrate. They are a distraction and do nothing for the atmosphere.”

But Sepp’s defending it. Sort of.

“It’s a local sound and I don’t know how it is possible to stop it. I always said that when we go to South Africa, it is Africa. It’s not western Europe. It’s noisy, it’s energy, rhythm, music, dance, drums. This is Africa. We have to adapt a little.”

Funny, I thought its lack of rhythm was precisely the problem. It’s not harmonious, nor is it in rhythm whatsoever; it’s just one long 90 minute droning sound. To the point you begin to wonder when the B-list horror movie is going to break out before your eyes. I’ve personally begun watching the games on mute – what with the combination of ESPN’s commentary team and the vuvuzela capable of being substituted for lethal injection and all.

Certain portions of South Africa are even poking fun as a method of marketing their tranquility for tourism…

…so they surely realize it’s a bit of overkill.

So while it’s wonderful that they want to impart the true South African experience upon us, we can also assume they’d like us to return in the future. No one will return if we associate South Africa with impending deafness. Death to the vuvuzela.

Tags: air horns, FIFA, Sepp Blatter, South Africa, Spain, vuvuzela, World Football, Xabi Alonso

World Cup Soccer – South Africa 2010 RSS Feed

Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 71 comments.

Read the rest of the comments

By Zwienda | June 24th, 2009 at 1:30 am

Wow, I cant believe everyone is up in arms about sonmething that is done for enjoyment and amusement!
1. Not everyone likes the Vuvuzela
2. Not eveyone who hates the Vuvuzela is Racist
3. People are different and no one has the right to dictate what should be done and not done in someone elses house.
4. I am South African, and have three Vuvuzela’s, as the europeans are shouting racial snares, and cursing, others will be doing the mexican wave, some will be chanting, others will be playing their drums, and me I will be blowing a melof=dic tune from my Vuvuzela.

People we are all different, and we enjoy different things, instead of complaining, embrace other people’s cultures, and ways of life. Be proud of what you do to celebrate the beautiful game, and know that the next person does not celebrate the way you do, but that does not make them wrong ir right.

When will this urgly divide between white south africans and black south africans end, because at the end of the day, the Vuvuzela is just being used to start that great old divide!

Grow up South Africa, let us unite and be one!

The world can go and stick their coments and dictatorship up where the sun don’t shine!

VIVA the VUVUZELA VIVA
VIVA white, Black, India, Coloured and any one that Calls themselves South Africans, let us stand as one nation, one people and tell these foreigners that they will not dictate how we enjoy the game our way! VIVA

By Patrick | June 24th, 2009 at 1:40 am

Some twenty years ago, South African soccer was very entertaining, it was played with flair and passion, ever since we have started to employ foreign coaches who brought defensive play, our soccer has become a total bore, thanks goodness to the vuvuzela noise it keeps us awake at the stadiums

By Obie | June 24th, 2009 at 2:10 am

Its shocking to see the world is still not prepared to accept Africa for what it is. Most of the comments here are disgusting, shame on u people esp the Scotts and the cammys. If Blatter can embrace SA’s ‘primitive’ culture y can’t u all do the same?

Posted from Germany

By Leslie | June 24th, 2009 at 5:34 am

“If Blatter can embrace SA’s ‘primitive’ culture y can’t u all do the same?”

Because we want to experience OUR teams, OUR nations, the way WE want to experience them.

Traveling supporters have every right to cheer on their teams as they see fit, feeling like they can help inspire their players during a match. No third party has a right to sit in the stadium and take that away by drowning them out with some other noise.

A gracious host would understand that. Instead, South Africans are now getting defiant about the whole thing, acting as if this is THEIR tournament, THEIR teams, THEIR players, THEIR nations.

A gracious host would also understand the concerns of TV viewers around the globe, and tone down the vuvuzela noise as a gesture of understanding.

It is unbelievable to me that this is even an debate. I cannot believe there are people who apparently think this is South Africa’s World Cup, to do with it as it pleases. The whole thing is astonishing.

Posted from United States

By Nomasonto | June 24th, 2009 at 9:15 am

You people make me mad. Europe is not the colonial master of Africa anymore. Deal with it! This world cup is in Africa

By Don | June 25th, 2009 at 1:23 am

“Vuvuzela” or chanting “monkey” to a black player. Which one is better??? Vuvuzela is noisy when you hear it for the first time. We also agree. It is not good when you have ears problems… everyone knows that. But soccer games or most other sports have some noise from the spectators. Worse noise for sure is the shouting of racist comments to Africans, who still continue playing under those circumstances. Well maybe it is because Africans are suppose to be begging and are tolerant enough. Maybe I should say that there is no way a brat can do community service, so I am not surprised why people cannot tolerate the Vuvuzela or in fact cannot tolerate Africans. You guys are not racist, but you just fail to accept and tolerate, because mentally you are channelled that an African is suppose to do same thing as westerners do (I did not say as you westerners) wish. But just think abit about other annoyance that you ever got from a football (soccer) match.

Those who are switching off television, I think it is because you have something else to do. The TV channels have the technology to reduce the noise from the crowd… if they do not do it, it means they are not listening to you or your voice is not loud enough to be heard. So buy a vuvuzela and blow it next to the ears of the TV station managers maybe they will get annoyed and listen to you!!

You know what… most of those guys and ladies who want vuvuzela to be banned… will not read my comments to the end. If you did, thank you because you have hope for change.

Don

By ridhwaan | June 25th, 2009 at 3:24 am

the vuvuzela is part of our south african soccer experience when in rome do as the romans do. we didnt say ban the singing. like it or not the vuvuzela is here to stay u cn watch for 5 mins ifu want thats ur problem!!!!!1

By Clotilde | June 25th, 2009 at 5:47 am

i am not an “everyday game” football fan, but i love championships where you can see different coutries , hence different styles of fooball and their evolution. these events are also normally very enjoyable because of the fantastic spirit of sport displayed during these events. BUT there is honestly a HUGE difference between the expression of the joy of the fans and the pain that has to be endured because of this bee’s hive sound. i have not managed to watch a single match of this confederation cup,it is sad. FIFA should consider for next year the fact that millions of fans watching their tv may just switch channel because of the noise…they put themself in a position of losing money over stupid trompets!!!
having lived in sa i can tell that the vuvuzela is not played full power for 90 min at every football game… so lets respect the hosts but also the ears of the mios of tv watchers who also pay in many ways for this event to happen. maybe vuvuzelas could be ok outside the stadiums only or not while the players are on the field. a solution can surely be found to please everybody. let’s hope 2010 will be a great championship!!!

Posted from Switzerland

By Markus | June 25th, 2009 at 9:25 am

Keep the Vuvuzela – just design a world cup version that produces less sound. It should be produce less decibels yet keep the unique SA soccer cultural appeal. Without the Vuvuzela soccer in SA would not be the same !!

By Dadi Sveinsson | June 25th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

S-Africa should be ashamed to offer us this horrible senseless buzz during games in the World Cup. How about trying to blow the horns in rythm? It’s just a 90 min buzz and there is no difference if there is a goal or nothing going on. Just a bunch of yahoos blowing horns for 90 mins.

Never dreamed I would have to watch the Confederations Cup and the World Cup in “mute”.

Btw. I’m black so I can’t be a racist can I.

Posted from Iceland

By Obie | June 25th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Dude from Switzerland, like mentioned b4. Take that up with ur local channel, draw a petition or something. It won’t take space technology to reduce or do away wit the buzz. U being arrogant to say the least! Just so u know, the vuvuzelas aren’t going away. U just gonna have to adapt to a whole new culture of enjoying football, like it or not.

Posted from Germany

By Obie | June 25th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Meant Iceland!

Posted from Germany

By cammy | June 26th, 2009 at 2:28 am

all the pro vuvuzela people who haven’t been in the stadiums yet and who will be coming to the WC next year – yes, you can at least mute your tv, but wait till you experience it for real, when there’s no mute button! I can’t wait to read all the international comments afterwards!

Obie, i hope you’ll be there.

By Clotilde | June 26th, 2009 at 2:41 am

from switzerland: 1.- i am not a dude…!!! 2.- i am probably the least arrogant of the people who are not too happy about the constant buzzing of the now infamous vuvuzela.
my point is only that a solution must be found for the millions of tv watchers who will not watch the championship next year- because of the noise- that satifies also the local traditions.
believe me, if the audiences on tv fall, there will be big financial consequences, so fifa has every interest to adress the problem and find a solution that satifies all parties. they have a year to do that, it should be enough…

Posted from Switzerland

By Obie | June 26th, 2009 at 4:39 am

Cammy, i was at the stadium for last nyt’s game between Brazil and Bafana and glad to say that the buzz wasn’t as bad as that picked up on tv. You should all be aware that the atmosphere is completely different when in attendance. Look @ it as your 1st experience to the sounds of rock hard metal, its annoying at 1st but enjoyable the more u listen. And to Clotilde, i bet a solution of some sort will be found but doubt there’ll be a decline of audiences in any way. Football is a great sport and will prevail at the end of the day.

Posted from Germany

By Clotilde | June 26th, 2009 at 5:56 am

maybe the hardcore of football geeks will watch but the numerous occasionnal fans will maybe wait until the 1/2 finals …unfortunately , everything is ruled by money (see the situation in formula 1 that solved itself because the sponsors would have run away with their money if mosley had not stopped thinking he was all powerfull…no one watching tv,no tv rights income, no sponsors, no money, no championship). so for sa, for fifa and next year’s championship (and the ones after) everyone has every interest to make the whole event friendly for the people in the stadiums and the viewers around the world.
i know it sort of sucks but no sporting event involving a lot of money, a large organisation and tv rights , will see the sport prevail -it is all strategy, money, egos……-. for the real sport and the real feelings go to the local stadiums!

Posted from Switzerland

By Obie | June 26th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

Thats why it don’t bother me in the least. Its just hype, like they say any publicity is good publicity. Fifa loves generating as much interest as possible. Will have to wait & see i guess.

Posted from Germany

By Philboyd Studge | June 28th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

I’m actually watching C-SPAN Book TV rather than US vs. Brazil. Can’t take that mindless buzzing. Imagine being stuck with one of those dopes sitting behind you? Can you say “horn bow-tie”?

In the meantime, kiss a chunk of the broadcast sponsorship goodbye.

By jason | June 28th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

I was watching sports center, and they were interviewing some soccer player from america about this latest soccer competition(I don’t follow this sport at all), and until I googled this, I thought there was something wrong with my television (or this channel), because all I heard was this horrible sound of millions of insects swarming while he was talking. why not just use you’re own voice. whatever, I’m glad that my tv’s ok, and I still couldn’t give a shit about this sport.

By Mike Salinas | June 28th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

We are not talking about culture or race here , Even when watching matches on TV it was impossible to keep the commentary on . It was so irritating and giving a headache ,I bet if SouthAfrican’s don’t take it on themselves to keep these Vuvuzela’s out, no fan’s from other countries will come to watch but also most TV’s will be off . It truely is not about offending anybody’s culture but being sensitive to the world’s football lovers who wish South Africa to hold a truly wonderful tournament .

Posted from United States

By Nac | June 29th, 2009 at 8:05 am

It’s not a question of racism or lack of cultural appreciation. Honestly, we non-South African supporters want to see and hear the atmosphere generated by the Cup being hosted in South Africa, but the vuvuzela drowns out everything but itself. The vuvuzela is not a democratic instrument. On TV (where billions will be watching) we can hear nothing but the monotonous drone of the vuvuzela, never changing with the action on the pitch and thus obliterating any excitement there might be.
I know from family experience that the casual viewer, who would usually watch the World Cup out of mild interest, will be put off by the TV noise and the lack of atmosphere. And even the interested viewer will be far less likely to watch as many matches as they normally might.
Once FIFA realizes that the noise of vuvuzelas on TV is going to turn away the casual viewer they will ban it (I hope).

Posted from United States

By Obie | June 29th, 2009 at 4:58 pm

FIFA just rieterated that they won’t, under no circumstances ban the vuvuzela. These all happened today so all those not in favor of the instrument might as well cut their losses as in now. FIFA has actually been laughing off all this criticism so be prepared for the vuvuzela or just look forward to the Brazil world cup which is 5 years away, i bet it won’t be as noisy. The complaints have to stop now!

Posted from Norway

By Fut Ball | June 30th, 2009 at 7:41 pm

What I find odd about the vuvuzela is that South Africa has great football songs.

See for example:

http://www.footballiscominghome.net/video/the-vuvuzela-conspiracy/

By johann | July 6th, 2009 at 5:18 am

the only annoying sound of the vuvuzela, is the sound of someone complaining about it.

By Sam | July 28th, 2009 at 2:43 am

I must say after reading everybody’s comments, that Im so shocked that some people,instead of focussing on something so beautifull (the game of football)have decided to complain and be petty over something so insignificant.Seriously,I don’t know if it’s either worrying or pathetic to see that some people whom I assume are adults whining like a 5 year old child in a grocery store because they cannot get their own way.I also cannot believe that people can be so rude,you should be ashamed,I would love to know who raised you people up!Just so that this topic can finally be closed,Blatter said that FIFA will not be banning the vuvuzela in 2010,because he will be blowing his very own one.I just wish that people could accept peoples cultures, it’s really not about you! And to the White South African (Cammy),do you really think that we are short of football supporters?,so if you want to stay at your cricket or rugby matches STAY THERE!There are enough football supporters here in South Africa and it would be even better if people so pompous such as you were noy there.FIFA 2010 South Africa will be a great success,with the vuvuzela!:)

Comments are closed