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Cricket empowers Africa: Daily Pioneer
Newlands, Feb 09: Empowerment wore the Armani of ultimate showmanship on the starry Saturday night at Newlands, where the Rainbow Nation decided to stun the world with its VIBGYOR of cultures. In the `cradle of humanity`, a concept had been nurtured ceaselessly to perfection for 730 days. And when this child of united African labour came to life under the age-old Table Mountain, it gave Sydney a complex and Atlanta a reason to concede.
Newlands, Feb 09: Empowerment wore the Armani of ultimate showmanship on the starry Saturday night at Newlands, where the Rainbow Nation decided to stun the world with its VIBGYOR of cultures. In the 'cradle of humanity', a concept had been nurtured ceaselessly to perfection for 730 days. And when this child of united African labour came to life under the age-old Table Mountain, it gave Sydney a complex and Atlanta a reason to concede.
Not just that, the show forced the world to pay obeisance to a land whose peoples it has chosen to ignore for centuries.
This was Africa and it was like never before. Wild, colourful, unstoppable, meaningful, messaic and at its very best. In the two hours in which the continent arrived, unfolded and took your heart away without appointment at the picturesque Newlands stadium in Cape Town, controversies were turned to pygmies and game duels left for another day.
And if the intention was to zap the world, the opening ceremony for Cup 2003 was, indeed, a culture stunner gurgling with hope in the only cradle of humankind.
And in this befitting opener to the greatest cricketing show on Earth, all of Africa was a participant. From eight to 86, from men to women to children, from abled to disabled, from Black to White - everyone was there to realise one man's dream and an entire nation's pride. Ali Bacher's empowerment vision and the continent that is Africa could not have had a better serenading than the Newlands opener. That ordinary Africans strung up such an extraordinary fare is accolade enough.
As the man behind the effort Bacher said: "We have always said that the ICC World Cup goes far beyond cricket and today's opening ceremony is just one of the events within the event that underpins our commitment to spreading ownership and transferring skills through this tournament... Tonight is also a demonstration of the willingness of young Africans to give their time in the country's interest. Of these performers, 80 per cent are Black. Between 65 and 70 per cent of the financial benefits will go into their hands."
The 500 million rand African crystal ball, conceived and worked upon ceaselessly for two years, went off like a precision freak, without a single glitch and blazing a trail of wonderment among the 1.5 billion global viewers.
A 4,500-strong cast, on daily rehearsal for the past 730 days, danced and wove a carpet of colour, passion and magic under the towering Table Mountain which acted as the nation's age old master of ceremonies. "As with democracy the heartbeat of stadium theatre is its people. From 8 to 86, they have practiced for hours in sun, wind and rain under the African sky. Their reward is your rapturous applause," said the show's executive producer Penny Jones. Also at work was show director Doug Jack who has the experience of choreographing the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics.
The tune of the mega show was set by legendary Jonny Clegg, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Juddith Sephuma, Hugh Masekela and Danny K. To lend audience support to Africa's music giants were none lesser than Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Elton John. The audience were put into the able hands of Africa's most silent motivational speaker Steve Barnett who moved and shook one and all into sharing completely.
In the middle were six themes - safari, unity, township, ocean, innovation and protocol through which a celebrated tourist guide took the audience, emerging at what they called base camp Cape Town. The experience was as varied as the treasures of this continent. One saw Africa unpredictable, Africa wild, Africa innovative, Africa entrepreneurial and Africa futuristic.
The pantsula dance and the multi-hued unity scene enacted by the world's tomorrows drew the loudest applause. Popstar Danny K, in a cut-ff SA T-shirt and sporting a mini cricket bat, wooed the crowd with an up-tempo number. The ocean scene, with a giant octopus and a southern right whale had the crowd spellbound.
The 14 teams, all in their country formals, marched through this mammoth show of welcome. Master of ceremonies Marc Lottering said all were invited to the "cradle of humankind."
In the line-up of VIPs were president Mbeiki, and a host of counterparts from other nations. Not to mention the impressive line-up of 41 African Sport Ambassadors for the 44-day tournament. They include legendary Kenyan Olympic middle-distance runner Kip Keino, a trio of Major golf champions in Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, the captain of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winning Springboks Francois Pienaar, cricketers Graeme Pollock and Basil D'Oliveira, SA soccer heroes Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo, former Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, Olympic marathon gold medallist Josiah Thugwane, swim queen Penny Heyns and SA's 'Mr Paralympics' Fanie Lombaard.
Perhaps, it was time that George Bush came here too to take a break. For if he were to see this unscanned and incredible love for life, perhaps, he would bridge the Gulf and save the world.
Bureau Report
Not just that, the show forced the world to pay obeisance to a land whose peoples it has chosen to ignore for centuries.
This was Africa and it was like never before. Wild, colourful, unstoppable, meaningful, messaic and at its very best. In the two hours in which the continent arrived, unfolded and took your heart away without appointment at the picturesque Newlands stadium in Cape Town, controversies were turned to pygmies and game duels left for another day.
And if the intention was to zap the world, the opening ceremony for Cup 2003 was, indeed, a culture stunner gurgling with hope in the only cradle of humankind.
And in this befitting opener to the greatest cricketing show on Earth, all of Africa was a participant. From eight to 86, from men to women to children, from abled to disabled, from Black to White - everyone was there to realise one man's dream and an entire nation's pride. Ali Bacher's empowerment vision and the continent that is Africa could not have had a better serenading than the Newlands opener. That ordinary Africans strung up such an extraordinary fare is accolade enough.
As the man behind the effort Bacher said: "We have always said that the ICC World Cup goes far beyond cricket and today's opening ceremony is just one of the events within the event that underpins our commitment to spreading ownership and transferring skills through this tournament... Tonight is also a demonstration of the willingness of young Africans to give their time in the country's interest. Of these performers, 80 per cent are Black. Between 65 and 70 per cent of the financial benefits will go into their hands."
The 500 million rand African crystal ball, conceived and worked upon ceaselessly for two years, went off like a precision freak, without a single glitch and blazing a trail of wonderment among the 1.5 billion global viewers.
A 4,500-strong cast, on daily rehearsal for the past 730 days, danced and wove a carpet of colour, passion and magic under the towering Table Mountain which acted as the nation's age old master of ceremonies. "As with democracy the heartbeat of stadium theatre is its people. From 8 to 86, they have practiced for hours in sun, wind and rain under the African sky. Their reward is your rapturous applause," said the show's executive producer Penny Jones. Also at work was show director Doug Jack who has the experience of choreographing the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics.
The tune of the mega show was set by legendary Jonny Clegg, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Juddith Sephuma, Hugh Masekela and Danny K. To lend audience support to Africa's music giants were none lesser than Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Elton John. The audience were put into the able hands of Africa's most silent motivational speaker Steve Barnett who moved and shook one and all into sharing completely.
In the middle were six themes - safari, unity, township, ocean, innovation and protocol through which a celebrated tourist guide took the audience, emerging at what they called base camp Cape Town. The experience was as varied as the treasures of this continent. One saw Africa unpredictable, Africa wild, Africa innovative, Africa entrepreneurial and Africa futuristic.
The pantsula dance and the multi-hued unity scene enacted by the world's tomorrows drew the loudest applause. Popstar Danny K, in a cut-ff SA T-shirt and sporting a mini cricket bat, wooed the crowd with an up-tempo number. The ocean scene, with a giant octopus and a southern right whale had the crowd spellbound.
The 14 teams, all in their country formals, marched through this mammoth show of welcome. Master of ceremonies Marc Lottering said all were invited to the "cradle of humankind."
In the line-up of VIPs were president Mbeiki, and a host of counterparts from other nations. Not to mention the impressive line-up of 41 African Sport Ambassadors for the 44-day tournament. They include legendary Kenyan Olympic middle-distance runner Kip Keino, a trio of Major golf champions in Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, the captain of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winning Springboks Francois Pienaar, cricketers Graeme Pollock and Basil D'Oliveira, SA soccer heroes Lucas Radebe and Doctor Khumalo, former Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, Olympic marathon gold medallist Josiah Thugwane, swim queen Penny Heyns and SA's 'Mr Paralympics' Fanie Lombaard.
Perhaps, it was time that George Bush came here too to take a break. For if he were to see this unscanned and incredible love for life, perhaps, he would bridge the Gulf and save the world.
Bureau Report