2010 FIFA World Cup has now officially begun. Saturday the U.S.A. team went up against their biggest challenge in their bracket … England. England was favored to win so a 1-1 tie was as good as a win. The challenge will continue.
They played their game in the new 44,000 seat Royal Bafokeng (“People of the Dew”) Stadium. The history of this particular area of South Africa can be a lesson in patience, planning and foresight. Those ingredients are often lost on the average individual and/or nation. I’m indebted to Alex Perry’s article in TIME magazine, June 7th issue for the facts found in this blog.
In 1856 their territory was essentially stolen from them via governmental take over who sold vast tracks of “unowned land” – the white government did not considered the native African tribe as having any legitimate claims on the 540 square mile area thus the status of being “unowned”. Chef Mokgatle wasn’t willing to simply sit back and give up his beautiful tribal territory … so a plan was created.
The plan was “to send hundreds of men to work the Kimberly diamond mines.” Then the chef turned to a missionary in the area to speak on behalf of the tribe. Through this missionary and the monies from the earnings from the diamond mines they were able to buy back the territory – square mile by square mile … until it was all back in the hands of the tribe only to be lost again with later developments when other discoveries were made.
It didn’t help when some geologists discovered that “75% of the world’s platinum was under their feet.” When you include “the 46 years of apartheid” into the equation you can begin to appreciate just how much the resurrection of this stadium is a true miracle of patience, some extensive planning and the vision of a chef that wasn’t willing to give up. And then, when you include that the tribal leadership was open and willing to share the wealth with all people of the tribe – for everyone’s benefit – which is unlike many of other areas of this naturally enriched continent. Instead of shipping off millions to secret Swiss bank accounts “millions has been spent on roads, schools, social housing, clinics and sewerage across the kingdom’s 29 villages.”
So as I cheered on our men to their tie I was also cheering the good citizens of this unique kingdom for actually being the true winners … even before the first game was played. “Bafokeng has an enduring creed of single-minded pragmatism … Throughout history, the Bafokeng adapted and negotiated and maneuvered every change and opportunity that came up.”
We can all learn the lessons that these citizens of this kingdom have learned and followed their entire life. Be single-minded … Implement a strategic plan for the future … stick to the plan regardless of any set-backs that can be experienced … remember that you do not need to be pulling at the oars when the ship comes in … Share the wealth that you do have with everyone … Do not be afraid of change … See an opportunity with every challenge …
Before the first game was played, before the world arrived to enjoy their new stadium, before the winning team celebrate their hard fought victory … the Bafokeng Kingdom citizens were already the victors. May their numbers … and the sharing, hard work ethic … increase … in you and in me!
Quote for today: My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there. Indira Gandhi
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