South Africa is Oxford’s “Place of the year” for 2009

Isn’t this interesting? Oxford University has singled out South Africa is it’s “Place of the year” for 2009.

This in light of the 2010 World Cup, the string of films being produced about South Africa or by South Africans.

Words from the Oxford University Press:

I dare you to watch the trailer for this December’s Invictus—the story of how a newly elected Nelson Mandela used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to bring his people together—without feeling slight heart palpitation. Particularly in a scene where we see Mandela speaking with a political confidante:

“This rugby, it’s a political calculation,” she says.

“It is a human calculation,” responds Mandela.

Sounds like one awfully loaded conversation about rugby, but if there’s anything history, cinema, and Nike commercials have taught us, it’s that the game ultimately represents something much bigger than itself. From taking a stand (1980 Moscow Games boycott) and breaking social barriers (Jackie Robinson, Dara Torres) to beating odds (Nancy Kerrigan, Lance Armstrong) and growing up (Mighty Ducks 1, 2, and 3), sports are often the metaphors and inspiration of our lives. Which leads us to our big announcement… as it moves to the forefront of the global sports arena once more, we are excited to announce South Africa as Oxford’s “Place of the Year.” The 2010 World Cup—arguably the most important international event the country will host since officially becoming a post-apartheid, democratic nation only 15 years ago—signifies further transformation, quantifiable in millions of dollars worth of new infrastructure.

The blog post goes on to discuss infrastructure of the 2010 World Cup, questions and concerns around the event as well as list some information about our beautiful nation.

View the full post.Similar Posts:

• The First Article Of Its Kind