THE World Cup might be over for Bafana Bafana, but this is still South Africa's World Cup and the spirit of the vuvuzela lives on.

The world experienced the celebratory vuvuzela when Bafana Bafana scored the first goal of the first World Cup on African soil. They heard the vuvuzela of disappointment when Mexico equalised.

The vuvuzela of history rang when Switzerland beat Spain and Serbia Germany in unforeseen upsets.

The vuvuzela can mock when goals are missed and rejoice when they are scored. If you asked New Zealand about the surge of testosterone as vuvuzela erupted with every successful defence of every attempt at their goal by the current champions Italy, words would fail them.

Paraguay and the US can attest to it and the Korea Republic can tell you about its magic to Greece's dismay.

Many internationals might not understand the thought process behind our obsession with it . We do not blow it because of the delightful sound it makes or because anyone asks us to. We blow it for the sake of blowing it.

When one blows the vuvuzela, straining one's lungs, something extraordinary happens. You find that someone else is blowing it too.

Then friends join in, then neighbours and before you know it the country is buzzing on Saturdays during a derby between Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

We find comfort in knowing that someone else is blowing it too. It embodies the tolerance and gregariousness of South Africans. Call it ubuntu, annoying, ridiculous or whatever you want. The fact is, there's nothing like it. So lets continue showing visitors the united spirit of South Africans.

Tshepo Tshabalala, Pretoria