By Michelle Pietersen
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has one word of advice for those who have complained about the vuvuzela: “Boo.” Speaking at a youth day celebration, Tutu said it was important for South Africans to rejoice in their moment of glory and that foreigners must accept their traditions, including the vuvuzela, which was an integral part of their games.
“Twak, twak! Absolute twaddle,” said Tutu.
“You’ve come to SA and you are going to enjoy everything that’s South African. I say blow them even louder.”
When Tutu arrived, accompanied by international soccer sensation and AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf, the distinctive sound of the vuvuzela boomed out as the 250 pupils belted out the South African national anthem. The pupils, who came from various Cape Town schools, enjoyed a three-day peace summit facilitated by Tutu’s foundation.
The Desmond Tutu Peace centre, which will soon be built on the site where Wednesday’s event took place, is aimed at enabling sustainable world peace through tangible projects. Clad in his Bafana Bafana soccer jersey and a yellow-and-green-flagged hat, Tutu said he was overwhelmed by the pupil’s energy as they jumped, shouted and sang for him.
“Thank you so very much, so very much, young people. I want to tell you that you fill me with awe.” Youth Day should remind us of the countless young people who had paid a heavy price for the freedom we enjoy today, he said.
“You and I, old and young, now have a very precious thing, this freedom that was bought with the lives and blood of all – young and old, black and white.”
Seedorf, who was snubbed for a spot in the Netherlands World Cup squad, said that although he had been disappointed, he was happy to be there with the young people. “God knows why, if it wasn’t for that I would not be sitting here with you. It’s not part of my journey but you are and I am most happy to be here,” said Seedorf. The Cape Times
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