Vuvuzela Here to Stay

So much has been said about the World Cup but I want to add my voice to the congratulations on a tournament well organized and full of surprises. The energy and color of Africa is well suited for football and makes the game reach another level. And that vuvuzela noise after some time becomes like hypnosis. I think it puts the fans under a spell. I heard in Germany they made a new upgraded version of vuvuzela that is in three parts that then fit together. Each part is in a color of the German flag. The manufacturer said it is easier to carry and also cannot be used as a weapon as it breaks apart if you strike with it. The sound has apparently also been improved now. So vuvuzela craze is now worldwide and fans everywhere will be blowing until their lips are sore. Let's hope we have the World Cup back in Africa soon, so we can spend another month going crazy.

Vincent Mbisa

Botswana

China's Football Woes

I was interested to read your story "Cleaning House" about Chinese soccer. I didn't realize that the soccer in China was so corrupt. We in Africa often wonder why China is always absent from the big tournaments and especially the World Cup. China is so good in sports. Look at the Olympic Games there, where they won so many medals. With so many people it seems strange that the country that size cannot have a power team. But after reading your story it opens the eyes to supply the reasons. We all know that Chinese love to gamble a lot and sports gambling is big around the world. I think the idea of the new football chief to send players to overseas clubs when they are young is a good idea, but still good teams need to believe they can win. If you look at the top teams they all have strong self-belief. I am sure in the future China will rise up in football just as it has risen up in economic development. It seems only a matter of time.

Festus Moroko

Morrocco

Doubters Eat Humble Pie

Now that the noise and vuvuzelas are silent I would like to ask all those in the world who doubted that Africa can host a World Cup to please stand up and eat a big slice of humble pie. Yes to the amazement for all those naysayers and doubters the "basket case" of Africa did hold a World Cup and it WAS a success. So what do all these people say now? All those who were so eager to have a Plan B in case South Africa failed where are you now? It seems the much-trumpeted concerns that were raised by doubters were well and truly drowned out by the trumpet of vuvuzelas. As in the quest for independence Africa was united then as it was united in the World Cup. South Africa, Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, we are proud of all of you for being there and flying the African flag. Now that more people know this continent, perhaps the Western media reports will be more positive. Although being a realist I won't hold my breath just yet.

Michael Armstrong

South Africa

Mid-east Involvement

The past weeks have left me greatly disturbed. Israel has been openly aggressive toward what is generally accepted as aid ships attempting to supply Palestinians in Gaza with much needed aid. Having read many media reports about how Africans have been unrelenting in condemning these attacks why have Africa's leaders been so quiet over the past decades in getting involved in talks to find a solution to the eternal Israel-Palestine conflict. With the obvious exception of Egypt the silence and lack of participation from Africa on this issue is perplexing. If we in Africa are the victims of constant Western media bashing, surely we can reciprocate and collectively condemn Israel's actions and also make a collective effort to assist in finding a solution to this conflict. If we want to be seen as a responsible continent which supports fair play then let's put our money where our mouth are.

Isaac Anand

Namibia

Save for a Wedding Day

I enjoyed your article about Chinese weddings – "I Do I Do I Do I Do," and was amazed at how much Chinese spend on their weddings. While it is true in Africa weddings are also big deals, and funerals too, it seems the Chinese have no limits when it comes to tying the knot. Having lived in China for a few years in my study days, I am well aware of how Chinese people save money. It is money management like I have never seen in my life. No matter how small the salary of the person, they will make sure that at least a third of it is deposited into a bank account. This has to be one of the best habits I learned in China. It doesn't matter that they save because there is no social welfare or adequate medical aid schemes, what counts is that they save. So when it comes to weddings, the money is there.

Doris Campeta

Cameroon

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