I had a serious field of dreams moment last week wednesday. If you haven’t seen the movie let me give you the thirty second version. This dude has some serious voices in his head that keep telling him “if you build it they will come”. So he builds a baseball diamond in his mielie field. And they come.

I have been travelling around the country for the last six weeks speaking at the Comrades Marathon road shows about the charity initiative I’ve put together for 2011. Last Wednesday we were in Polokwane. The talk was practically in the shadow of the Moses Mabida stadium. I couldn’t help but leave with the feeling that it is just another multi billion rand white elephant.

On thursday morning two things struck me about Polokwane. The first thing was that I don’t think if you herded up the entire town and put them inside the stadium that you would fill it. And secondly that the entire town was infected with field of dreams syndrome. Every third house that I ran past on thursday morning had been turned into a guest house or bed and breakfast. If you build it they will come. They did come. For the few games that were played at the Moses Mabida stadium during the 2010 FIFA World Cup (am I allowed to say that or is it still owned by Sepp?). I was trying to figure out how sustainable all those establishments are really going to be moving forward. I know Polokwane is a town that has quite a bit of traffic going through it but I honestly cannot see all those businesses keeping their doors open. As far as the stadium is concerned I am also battling to figure out how that is going to be maintained moving ahead. Just 3 months after the world has gone home the paving around the stadium is being over run with weeds. After just 3 months. What will it look like after 3 years?

One positive that came out of that run was that I got to run down some of the prettiest streets I have ever run down. I’m not so sure of Pretoria being the Jacaranda City anymore. Polokwane may have very good reasons to claim that title. One of the streets I ran down was laced with Jacaranda’s in full bloom. For as far as the eye could see was purple flowers. The mass of flowers provided respite from the burning sun but had also spared enough to blanket the road surface with a generous sprinkling of blooms.

We are officially a week into the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup. It’s been a week of massive highs (the opening ceremony and spirited Bafana Bafana performance in the opening game against Mexico) and one of extreme lows (The security guard and Rea Vaya strikes as well our heavy defeat at the hands of Uruguay). Being at the United We Shall Stand parade in Sandton just over a week ago and bearing witness to an amazing show by our rainbow nation in support of our boys it is hard to believe that it may all be coming to an end for Bafana Bafana. As our progression into the knockout stages of the tournament hangs in the balance I received an email today from Jabu Mabuza, the CEO of Tsogo Sun and chairman of Southern Sun Hotels that sums thing up beautifully. I thought I would share it with you. Let me know your thoughts on the letter.

Dear Colleagues

It was with disappointment that we all witnessed the Bafana Bafana 3-0 loss last night. Not just the score-line, but more the possible consequences of the defeat.

However, I had a long time to reflect on what this loss meant to me, and I suspect each and every one of us, as I made the long journey back to Johannesburg in the early hours of this morning.

Let’s not debate whether it was a penalty or otherwise, whether or not we would have conceded a second goal, and then an inevitable third once reduced to ten men with a penalty sprinkled into the mix. Let us further not lament that our team of young men, all carrying an enormous amount of pressure for themselves, FIFA and the whole country, didn’t perhaps show as much spirit, purpose of commitment as maybe the North Korean team did again the mighty Brazil! After all this is soccer! Perhaps the biggest shock was Spain, arguably the best side in the world over the last few years, losing to Switzerland earlier during the day.

Rather, let’s put this all into perspective.

Uruguay were ranked 16th in the world (Bafana 82nd) coming into this World Cup. They have looked the part and frankly deserved the win, despite disappointing millions of us South Africans. But in reality, we in our heart of hearts, would have never expected to win the World Cup and hence let’s celebrate not the result, but rather what the World Cup means for all of us, such as the focus over the last six years in assembling infrastructure and job creation, and an opportunity to showcase arguably one of the world’s most fascinating countries to millions of people, who will now know where we are and the many wonderful offerings for all in our country.

The public relations and marketing opportunities to those not in the country has, in my opinion, been the biggest benefit in hosting the world’s largest sporting event. South Africa has hosted more global sporting events than any other country since 1994 and none bigger than this. What has pleased me no end, is how the whole nation has rallied behind Bafana Bafana with tremendous unity and passion. The purpose of me writing to you is to encourage all of you to continue with great commitment and enthusiasm to support the World Cup and Bafana Bafana in particular. Let’s celebrate and focus on the occasion, and the importance of a successful campaign for South Africa, even if we as a country don’t go through to the next round.

We have never been a ‘fair weather’ host and I urge you all to give every supporter, client, or guest a world class experience whether at your hotel, casino or home! Maintain the magic of the Rainbow Nation and continue to host everyone, locals and foreigners, in the friendly, accommodating, vibey atmosphere that constitutes and defines the amazing Mzansi! and Tsogo Sun.

We have so much to celebrate. It’s our time. Join the party and ensure, with humility, and perspective, that it is an overwhelming success that we so richly deserve.

Kindest regards

Jabu Mabuza