Appeal for political truce during Cup

A plea for South Africa's politicians to "call a truce" during the month of the World Cup - with all its goodwill - has been made by an international peacekeeper, Vasu Gounden.

Gounden, the executive director of the African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (Accord), said citizens did not want all the bickering of politicians during this period of national and international goodwill.

"Let's embrace the World Cup, let's bring reconciliation into the country, let's do what is necessary to unite our country and then sustain it beyond the World Cup."

Gounden said the World Cup's spirit of goodwill should extend beyond the country's borders, especially into the rest of Africa.

It should also last beyond the end of the World Cup, he said, as locals could not sincerely celebrate the great soccer stars of the African continent for this month and then relapse into xenophobia.

"This is not possible," he said.

"South Africans need to be aware of this, and we need to say: 'Let us embrace everybody now and beyond the World Cup'."

Gounden made his plea when taking part in the SAfm Radio discussion programme, the After Eight Debate, on the topic of the role soccer had played in liberating the continent in the past and as a peacekeeping force at present.

He said the World Cup had already shown its value in the amazing sense of unity that had swept the country lately.

"It is amazing to see the South African flag, our new flag, not any of the old flags, being flown, the patriotism that is being shown by South Africans all round the country, all across the race groups..."

Gounden said soccer had helped to bring peace to Africa over the years and Accord was aware of this. Accord had now brought out a magazine, Playing for Peace, to mark the World Cup

The magazine's editor, Tor Sellstrom, told the radio debate that the Year of Peace and Security had been designated by the African Union.

"So we thought, at Accord, we would have a special magazine showing how football has been a mobilising force for national liberation in Africa in the colonial situation and today a force for peace, unity and socio-economic development on the continent."

Sellstrom said the magazine did not focus on the World Cup.

"But we have profiles on well-known African players who have also very strong commitment to peace and socio-economic development in Africa."

The magazine includes reports on community football projects throughout Africa that have helped to rehabilitate child soldiers and amputees. It also carries messages from Fifa boss Sepp Blatter, African Union chairman Jean Ping, and President Jacob Zuma.