Apparently, we should be called after a fearsome animal... We smell a rat
WHAT'S in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. That's what the Bard said many, many moons ago.
Maybe, that's how we should approach the brouhaha surrounding the suggested name change for Bafana Bafana, our national soccer team.
The sports ministry has now entered the fray, pronouncing the name undesirable.
Apparently, we should be called after a fearsome animal, as that would instil fear into our opponents. What hogwash!
We smell a rat behind the reasons advanced for the proposed name change.
People should remember that Bafana Bafana is an international brand that goes hand in hand with former president Nelson Mandela. Those who have travelled outside this country will attest to that.
The national team achieved a lot under the name Bafana Bafana. Winning the Afcon in 1996, competing in three Fifa World Cups and hosting one last year. Books have been written about the team and its name. What will happen to these reprints. The costs to the change would be better utilised somewhere else.
The new team, whatever it will be called, will not be able to claim that heritage, simply because they will have to write their own history.
Those who achieved and reached greater heights with Bafana Bafana would not be claimed by the proposed lions or elephants.
And, if the oft-made point that the name means boys is to be entertained, who wants to be some animal?
Why change Bafana's name?
Apparently, we should be called after a fearsome animal... We smell a rat
WHAT'S in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. That's what the Bard said many, many moons ago.
Maybe, that's how we should approach the brouhaha surrounding the suggested name change for Bafana Bafana, our national soccer team.
The sports ministry has now entered the fray, pronouncing the name undesirable.
Apparently, we should be called after a fearsome animal, as that would instil fear into our opponents. What hogwash!
We smell a rat behind the reasons advanced for the proposed name change.
People should remember that Bafana Bafana is an international brand that goes hand in hand with former president Nelson Mandela. Those who have travelled outside this country will attest to that.
The national team achieved a lot under the name Bafana Bafana. Winning the Afcon in 1996, competing in three Fifa World Cups and hosting one last year. Books have been written about the team and its name. What will happen to these reprints. The costs to the change would be better utilised somewhere else.
The new team, whatever it will be called, will not be able to claim that heritage, simply because they will have to write their own history.
Those who achieved and reached greater heights with Bafana Bafana would not be claimed by the proposed lions or elephants.
And, if the oft-made point that the name means boys is to be entertained, who wants to be some animal?