Editorial: Our worthy flag-bearers (Photo Archive)
Why are we suddenly supporting Banyana Banyana? A year ago or so, you might have only caught the names of Portia Modise or Amanda Dlamini at the tail end of news broadcasts.
The easy explanation is they have grabbed our attention by force. They have made us proud on the African stage and have earned qualification for a maiden World Cup.
But it goes a deeper than that. In the past 12 months, they have instilled a national pride that often seems absent from our lives. Our confidence in institutions has been eroded. We have also lost confidence in our established sports stars. We have grown tired of watching overpaid Bafana Bafana players lazing around on the shores of tiny island nations.
Until recently, most Banyana players were unknown in the country, let alone beyond its borders. Many didn’t have full-time clubs. Still, they came together and achieved something as a team. The only scandal they have been involved in was no fault of their own — the South African Football Association is not paying them their due. Despite this, their heads remained high.
In these uncertain times, a group of people fighting for our flag can go a long way.