Letter from Tokyo. Where was the Vuvuzela to celebrate the 2020 Olympics Coming to Tokyo?

South Africa needs to create a Vuvuzela, a special one for the Japanese. They just don't know how to get down and celebrate!

I really miss the Vuvuzela. That constant noise that is at first irritating but without its there really is no celebration! I have no idea why I did not think of taking mine along the other morning. Finally, Tokyo has won the bid to host the 2020 Olympic games. I could not help myself. I had to compare the celebrations, noise and jubilation that South Africa experienced when we won the bid to host 2010 World Cup. South Africa was just electrified! Nothing united the country more at that moment. There was a unity of purpose. Even more special was the blaring of horns, the Vuvuzela's and all the soccer fans out in the streets in their green and gold Bafana -Bafana T-shirts.

In Tokyo, many loyal Japanese waited patiently until about 05h20 in the morning when the long awaited announcement was made. 'And the Winner is....... Tokyo!' Yes there was jubilation and streamers and a few cars blaring music on some of the usually quiet streets of Tokyo. Some cried, but it was rather contained compared with the vigour that South Africa uses to celebrate! Jho, its two days later and in Tokyo is business as usual. Its as if nothing happened!

Everything has gone back to normal almost two hours after the winner was announced. Had it not been for the newspapers and TV news that have served as a useful reminder, we might have actually forgotten about that Tokyo won the olympic bid.

Eish eish mara.... The Japanese need some serious lessons on celebrating. I think we need to create a loud Japanese Vuvuzela to prepare them for the Olympic games. All we can say now is Congratulations Tokyo as you prepare. To all the South African potential Olympian's get ready to win some medals in tokyo in 7 years time!

Sayonara

Ambassador Pheko

www.sajapan.org