I have bought my tickets for Soccer World Cup matches, bought my park-and-ride tickets, budgeted for the food at the games (I am planning to sneak in some biltong, though, to keep the kids happy), but I have way overspent on the paraphernalia.
Over the last three months our household has single-handedly kept sports-store owners and informal traders afloat, and I don’t even want to do the financial calculation. What more, one wonders, could we possibly need?
Then yesterday my son decided he wanted a South African flag beanie and scarf. Considering that the weather during the opening game is expected to be very cold, I justified the purchase to myself.
But fortunately my guardian financial angel intervened and the store was sold out. There was one “special” scarf for R150 — but I drew the line there. My son has a beanie and scarf — not the right colours but they will keep him warm at the game. He will still look every bit the patriot with his Bafana shirt, cap, flag, vuvuzela, South African flag, glasses and even a South African flag blanket. (we will leave his Zakumi pillow and football at home). Enough is now enough.
But even so, I am taking precautions by leaving my cash and cards at home and praying that the stores don’t re-stock in time.
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