Yolanda Saayman Photography

An Orange Affair!
FIFA World Cup Semi Final: Holland vs Uruguay
Cape Town
06 July 2010

I have never been a football fan - ever. I don’t think that up until now, I have ever watched a game of soccer from start to finish and if you told me a month ago that my perception would change, I would have laughed at you. It was unimaginable that I would get hooked on this game which took hold of South Africa since the opening ceremony on 11 June 2010.

So, when I was offered a semi-final ticket to watch Holland play against Uruguay, the answer was undoubtedly YES!

Initially I thought it was a hoax, but when I got my tickets at 16h30 on Tuesday afternoon, I knew it was real. I walked down to the fan walk or fun walk as some people refer to it. The atmosphere was electrifying with literally a sea of orange flowing towards the Cape Town Stadium. All I needed to do was jump in and float downstream…and I did.

Never has there been so many people in the streets of Cape Town before and I should know – I live in this city! There were serious fans. Super fans. They came a long way and went all out of the way to support their teams.

There were many water holes and food stalls along the way. The music was pumping from every bar and off the pavements. Street acrobats and performers were plenty, entertaining the crowd en-route to the stadium – ticket holders and non-ticket holders alike. We stopped for a beer or two while I was trying to capture the vibe and some of the football fanatics, talking and laughing with strangers and FEELING IT!

Everything went so smooth and when it was time for kick-off, we were seated and ready for what was to be a brilliant game, an orange affair!

Holland beat Uruguay with 3 goals to 2 and the victory was sweet. HUP HOLLAND HUP!

One thing is certain: When the Tavern of the Seas invite you to sit down for a meal and the table is set with a smorgasbord, you have no choice but to share in the feast!

Do it again? Absolutely!

Yolanda Saayman