I suspect that most of us have never heard of this word until it came into its own during the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. This type of horn or trumpet has been used in Mexican stadiums since the 1970s, and it became popular in South Africa in the 1990s. It is a blowing horn up to approximately 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) and is a plastic modern-day replica of the ancient kudu horn. The sound level has been measured at 127 decibels. During the football matches, the fans blow vuvuzelas frantically in an attempt to “kill off” the opponents.
Players, broadcasters and viewers have all complained about the loud sound and constant drone of the vuvuzelas but FIFA, very wisely, have not shown it the red card!
Alongside the tens of thousands of vuvuzelas that have been sold daily, the same vendors are marketing “vuvu-plugs”! These can be bought in the colours of the team which one supports. The biggest sellers are one green and one yellow plug together. This is just in case you need to show your inner ear that you are a true Bafana Bafana supporter.
VUVUZELA – this controversial instrument is now famous (or infamous?) throughout the world. Will it find its way into the next editions of Chambers Advanced English, New Oxford and Longmans Contemporary English dictionaries?
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
