Photograph by Chen Xi

JOHANNESBURG — A lone goal in extra time from midfielder Andrés Iniesta helped Spain defeat the Netherlands and make history Sunday night in the final match of the FIFA World Cup at Soccer City stadium.

President Jacob Zuma, along with Queen Sofia of Spain and Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands, attended the match, which was preceded by an elaborate closing ceremony where former president Nelson Mandela made a brief appearance to a thunderous ovation. Highlights included a performance by Shakira, dancers forming a human vuvuzela, and a “thank you” message projected onto the field in languages of all 32 competing teams.

On the field, the two finalists were evenly matched, each unable to penetrate the others’ defense for a full 90 minutes before going to extra time, for only the sixth time in World Cup finals history.

The match also provided a flurry of yellow cards, with English referee Howard Webb giving out 14 bookings to five Spanish players and eight Dutch players before the final whistle. Two of these yellow cards were awarded to Dutch defender John Heitinga, forcing the Netherlands to play the last 23 minutes with 10 men. Spain’s victory marks the first time the country has won the World Cup, and the first time a European team has won outside Europe.

Both teams were on the attack early, trading shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of play. In the 11th minute Spanish striker David Villa appeared to have lined up a nice crossing pass, but powered the ball into the side netting. Although many such opportunities would present themselves, stellar defense on both sides prevented goals.

Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas made several spectacular saves, including a 33rd-minute leaping catch as he collided with defender Carles Puyol. Dutch forward Arjen Robben threatened to break the 0-0 tie as the first half wound down, but Casillas deflected his shot out of bounds.

In the second half frustration continued to mount for the offenses in a series of close calls. A Spanish corner kick in the 48th minute bounced off Puyol’s head and rolled right past the waiting foot of Spain’s Joan Capdevila. Hoping to give the offense a shot in the arm Spain substituted speedy striker Jesus Navas, but the Netherlands would get the next attempt on goal.

In the 62nd minute Robben made a perfectly timed run through the Spanish defense to catch up to a long pass, forcing Casillas to charge off the line and make a desperate save with his left foot. Seven minutes later Villa had a chance to retaliate in the penalty area but a last-ditch effort by the Dutch defense prevented a goal.

With time running out, both teams attacked with an increased sense of urgency. Robben made another run in the 83rd minute, once again reaching the penalty area before being brought down by a hard challenge. He contested the no-call, but only received one of the night’s many yellow cards for his efforts. An 86th-minute substitution of midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not enough to secure a Spanish goal before time expired, sending the match into extra time.

Spain dominated the first 15 minutes of extra time, with Iniesta, Fábregas, and Navas all taking shots on the Dutch goal. Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque replaced star forward David Villa with Fernando Torres, who would later help set up Iniesta’s winning goal.

In the 17th minute of extra time Heitinga earned his second yellow card and ejection from the game.

The Netherlands’ fate was sealed less than 10 minutes later as Iniesta zipped his shot past goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s outstretched fingertips. The Netherlands tried desperately to equalize but came up short, earning its third second-place finish in three finals appearances.

As I walked through the halls of Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum Thursday afternoon, I couldn’t help but consider the timeliness of my visit. With less than a week remaining in this trip of a lifetime I find myself growing reflective. I usually do this after wrapping up a major event, like a vacation or school year; my reactions differ each time, ranging from “I wish this would never end” to “well, that was a waste of time.” I’m glad to report this trip falls soundly into the first category.

Nevertheless, after looking back over my journey I feel like the Apartheid Museum provided an element that was distressingly absent: the dark side of South Africa’s history. Up until that point my tour of the country had been largely pleasant. Yes, I had seen some of the less flattering parts of South Africa before. But it was only yesterday that I understood these were just echoes of years of oppression. Now confined to these halls, the effects of this system of segregation are still being felt outside. I wouldn’t say it was a negative experience, however. On the contrary it has only raised my opinion of the country.

I must have mystified my other teammates, standing there dumbly as I viewed the numerous pictures, videos and testimonies of victims. There was a vague restlessness in me while my mind swirled and tried to make sense of what I was seeing. I put it aside and tried to focus on other things (I was also helping my teammate Christina to teach Clarece some Chinese), but the sensation dogged me all day. It was only as I was about to leave that a complete stranger I was talking to put it in perspective for me. He had found himself comparing the anti-apartheid movement to other fights against discrimination, like the civil rights movement. When we parted ways I pursued the notion further, comparing apartheid to other ethnic conflicts.

After looking through the annals of history, conventional wisdom would say the racial climate of South Africa should be impossible. Never in recent history have people forgiven so much so quickly. As I said before, although their fight against discrimination ended over 30 years after the civil rights movement in the United States, the state of race relations is similar to that of America. Or think about ethnic clashes that are still happening right now, like those between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East or Serbians and Albanians in Eastern Europe. Some of these conflicts are centuries old and there is ill will on both sides.

An outsider could probably never understand how or why it happened, but I will venture a guess anyway. Throughout my stay I have been hard-pressed to find happier people, and I think I finally know why: because they have every right to be. They say the bad times are there so we learn to appreciate the good ones; after such a long period of bad times, there must be great cause for joy.

Photographs by Yan Zhao

JOHANNESBURG – Germany marched over Argentina to advance to the World Cup semifinals Saturday afternoon. The match, a repeat of the 2006 quarterfinals that Germany won in a penalty kick shootout, was expected to be closely contested this time as well. Instead, a three-pronged attack by Argentine forwards Gonzalo Higuaín, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi was unable to answer Germany’s four goals.

The Germans leapt ahead early with a 3rd-minute goal from midfielder Thomas Müller, who headed a free kick past goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Die Mannschaft did not let up after the quick goal, keeping the ball in the Argentine half of the field with aggressive attacks from the wings.

Argentina began to muster up some strikes of their own after the 30-minute mark, but several saves from German goalie Manuel Neuer prevented an equalizing goal. Argentina appeared to have scored after Lionel Messi’s 36th-minute free kick, but Argentine players were called offside, negating the goal. Germany was knocking on the door again before halftime, but forward Lukas Podolski and Müller did not convert scoring opportunities.

In the second half Argentina played with a sense of urgency. Midfielder Angel Di María joined Tevez, Messi and Higuaín in an assault on the German goal, but after 20 minutes of blistering play Germany’s defense held strong. A 68th-minute goal tapped in by forward Miroslav Klose quieted Argentina’s attacks, and a second goal by defender Arne Friedrich seven minutes later further took the steam out of the Albicelestes.
Usually confident moving the ball forward, Argentina’s offense repeatedly struggled to maintain possession and take shots on goal in the waning minutes of the match. The final nail in the coffin for Diego Maradona’s squad came in the 89th minute, when Klose fired in his second goal from deep in the penalty area.

With the South American favorites making their exit, Germany will next face Spain, which defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the late match Saturday. Joachim Löw’s team will have to win without the help of Müller, however. In addition to his first-half goal the 20-year-old midfielder also earned his second yellow card, barring him from play in the next match.

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Photography by Rachel Gadson, Yan Zhao and Sam Hui

SOWETO, South Africa — Young designers from all over South Africa turned up to debut their work to a new audience on Saturday. A booming techno soundtrack accompanied models as they paraded down the runway in a variety of gowns, blouses, pants and headdresses, drawing occasional gasps and applause from the crowd.

Models strutted and camera shutters clicked at the 16th Annual Vukani Fashion Awards. The event, organized by the South African Fashion Designers Association, was held at the Ubuntu Kraal in Soweto’s Orlando West borough. Sonwabile Ndamase, the association’s executive president, was excited about the show’s ability to expose new young South African designers to a wider audience.
“It is a launching pad for the young and upcoming designers,” Ndamase said, “They don’t have a platform where they can launch themselves.”

For 100 rand each, the equivalent of $13, critics, fans, friends and family gathered to see the work of 14 finalists from across South Africa.

Ndamase explained that he chose a venue in Soweto over Johannesburg’s more populous urban centers to expose designers who would otherwise be overlooked.

“How are you going to develop your own people?” he asked. “I designed the first shirts of the former president, and then with that I used my connection to make it a point that I develop my own people.”
Ndamase said African countries should do more to connect with one another. The motto for this year’s awards was “Together … we can.” He says that South Africa and its neighboring countries should help one another move forward through the interchange of ideas, skills and opportunities.

In addition to local designers, the show also featured an international portion with designers from Malawi, Swaziland and Botswana.

Featured designer Bongi Gray drove three hours from Swaziland to prepare for the event. She purposely used lightweight fabrics to make keep her luggage light and make her travel easier.
Ndamase, who designed colorful print shirts for Nelson Mandela after his release from prison, hopes that collaboration among designers from across the region becomes more common. He says African countries should look to each other for support and business opportunities instead of relying on foreign powers from America, Europe and Asia.

However, Ndamase has no objection to outsiders coming to see how Africans do fashion. He changed the date of the awards, which are usually held during May, so they would take place during the World Cup. He also noted that an increasing number of new designers in South African fashion are not of African descent.

“It’s becoming more diverse. They want to know more about the culture.”

The 14 finalists competed for awards in three categories: most innovative designer, best collection, and best high fashion design. The winner of each category received months of business mentoring support, referrals to potential clients, a startup kit from Swiss-based sewing machine manufacturers Bernina, and a mentorship at Vukani Fashion. In addition, one lucky participant won a chance to travel to the United States for a 15-day mentorship before returning to South Africa for a development program.

Two students from Durban University of Technology would claim top prizes, with Jane Wolff taking most innovative designer and Zanele Ncane snagging best collection. Yolande Maree of Potchefstroom’s North-West School of Design took the award for best high fashion.

To learn more about the Vukani Fashion Awards and meet this year’s other finalists, visit www.awards.SAFDA.net

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Video by Kristen Swilley

PRETORIA, South Africa – United States Ambassador Donald Gips stressed that AIDS was the central issue in relations between South Africa and the United States Wednesday morning.

Speaking to members of the FAMU-Shantou World Cup reporting team, Gips discussed the variety of ways in which the U.S. is working to improve its relations with South Africa while hosting a pre-match pep rally at the U.S. Embassy. Gips greeted guests with a speech, donning a festive hat and blowing a vuvuzela to show his team spirit.

The event was a significant change of pace for Gips. The 50 year-old has been working to improve relations between America and South Africa since President Obama nominated him on June 4, 2009. He took a moment to explain some of the different ways the two nations are working together.

“We’ve been working to strengthen the relationship with South Africa with everything from the HIV/AIDS epidemic here to education to trying to reduce crime in the country as well as working with them on global issues such as climate change and stability in Africa,” Gips said.

The hardest part of his job has been grasping all of the different cultures present in the “Rainbow Nation.” In a country with 11 official languages and widespread ethnic diversity, this is no easy task.

“Once I have learned all that, it makes it much easier to build those relationships and get the relationship going.”

Gips may have caught a break, though. Regardless of race or creed, all South Africans are currently excited about one thing: the World Cup.

“One of the things the World Cup has helped to inspire is more and more cooperation between our two countries,” Gips remarked.

In preparation for the World Cup, South African police underwent training with the United States Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program. According to the embassy’s official website, the program was founded in 1983 to train foreign police “to detect, deter, counter, and investigate terrorist activities,” and has assisted law enforcers from 154 different countries. Trainees studied a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives course to ensure that South Africa would remain safe and secure throughout the tournament.

Gips was also eager to see how the World Cup will attract foreign investors to South Africa. Having received an MBA from the Yale school of management, Gips is no stranger to the nature of economics. He complimented South Africa’s intricate banking system.

“It’s a great place to base your operations,” Gips said. He believes businessmen could use South Africa as a stepping stone to reach other nearby nations.

Nevertheless, Gips is putting the issue of AIDS first during his time in the Rainbow Nation:. When it comes to relations between the United States and South Africa, the most important piece of the puzzle is controlling the spread of the deadly disease.
“Our top priority is HIV/AIDS.”

Gips described a three-point plan that focused on providing care to current patients, preventing new cases of infection, and making sure that the program is sustainable. The United States has committed over $600 million to the project. It may be too early to tell if what the future holds for South Africa, but Gips remains positive.
“It’s a very complicated complex picture,” he said, “but it’s one that’s making real progress.”

By Aaron Lancaster and Kristen Swilley

JOHANNESBURG ─ Grady McGahan’s passport must be exhausted from the constant stamping. The 28-year-old New Yorker is on a 257-day journey around the globe after deciding he’s reached the ideal time in his life to travel internationally.

“I decided the best investment I could make with my money was in me so I could see the world when I was still young and had the ability to do it,” McGahan said. He quit his job as a film producer in April and has spent the first three months of his journey in South America making his way through Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina and Uruguay. A short stop in Brazil prepared him for the World Cup fever he would experience in South Africa, but this isn’t his first time feeling the spirit of the Rainbow Nation.

“When I found out that the World Cup was happening in South Africa, a country that I know and love and wanted to go back to, that was a big part of  how I was planning my trip,” said McGahan.

Eight years ago McGahan found himself exposed to a radically different culture as a student at the University of Cape Town, where he studied African languages and religions. Now he is revisiting the country with a greater appreciation for the people of South Africa and a new global perspective.

“Being back here is like coming back to a second home. As the world gets smaller, nations become more dependent on each other. In our generation the people who have some understanding of how our world relates are going to be a very important,” said McGahan, who has taken efforts to immerse himself in local culture throughout his travels. Instead of staying in four-star hotels and taking shuttles to the matches, he lives in Soweto and walks to the fan parks.

McGahan will continue his journey through Britain, India, Egypt and China before returning to the United States for Christmas. He said he considers this trip an investment in his future.

“This is more important than investing in the stock market or a house,” said McGahan. “It’s understanding people from other countries and where they’re coming from. I love being here. I love being anywhere.”

To follow Grady’s journey visit his blog Around the World in GR80 Days

Photograph by Rachel Gadson

JOHANNESBURG — Italy fans were in for a surprise as they crowded the Johannesburg Italian Club Sunday afternoon. “It’s the most active that we’ve ever seen it,” said club Vice President Alberto Vitolo as he surveyed the scene. Founded in the early 1900s by Dr. Ugo Giunchi, the 700 or so member club, in suburban Bedfordview, is being used as a fan zone during the FIFA 2010 World Cup. But given the club’s roots, the crowds are much bigger when the defending world champions take the field.

On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of men, women and children came with their faces painted in the red, white and green of the Italian flag. Many wore blue Italia team jerseys or blue and white Italia scarves, hats and jackets. Inside the clubhouse, three projectors played the match on tall screens while supporters dined on lasagna and sipped red wine. Most expected Italy to cruise to a comfortable win, but Vitolo had his doubts.

“Italy certainly should be a better team … but … you never know,” he said.
His words would prove true, as New Zealand stunned the world and tied Italy 1-1 after taking the lead when forward Shane Smeltz scored in the 7th minute. In a bizarre sequence of events, a free kick by midfielder Simon Elliott bounced off Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro and into the path of Smeltz, who tapped it home. The lapse in the usually tight Italian defense drew shocked screams from the Italy supporters.

Less than 10 minutes later, Italy squandered a chance to equalize during a corner kick. Cannavaro passed the ball to a perfectly positioned Giorgio Chiellini, who shot wide right from a few yards out. The Italians nearly equalized in the 27th minute when midfielder Riccardo Montolivo’s shot beat goalkeeper Mark Paston and ricocheted off the left post.

Two minutes later, the crowd at the Italian Club roared to life when the referee awarded the Azzurri a penalty after New Zealand defender Tommy Smith pulled down Daniele De Rossi in the box. The Italian fans stomped the floorboards as forward Vincenzo Iaquinta stepped up and scored the penalty. At halftime, Vitolo and his fellow Italian fans were breathing easier, but they were not prepared to write off the All Whites, as the New Zealand team is called.

“They’ve got nothing to lose,” Vitolo remarked, “and they’re playing like it.” Italian coach Marcello Lippi seemed to agree. At halftime he introduced two substitutes, Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Cameronesi, to rejuvenate the offense.

During the second half, the ball rarely left New Zealand’s end of the field. The Italians stepped up their attack as they tried to secure the win and three points, which would tie group leader Paraguay. But stout New Zealand defending and poor Italian finishing conspired to send the game to a draw. Nevertheless the Italians had their share of nervous moments. Near the end, New Zealand substitute Chris Wood turned his defender and shot just wide. By the final whistle, the energy had evaporated from the viewing room. The optimistic shouts had been reduced to subdued murmurs.

Vitolo was visibly displeased over the results. He second-guessed the coach’s tactics and wished Lippi had introduced Di Natale and Cameronesi earlier.
Still, Vitolo held out hope that his team could still proceed to the next round. “We can still do it,” he said. “I hope we do it.”

Vice President Alberto Vitolo

JOHANNESBURG – The United States flirted with defeat and victory before ultimately tying Slovenia, 2-2, meaning it absolutely must beat Algeria to advance. The Americans were down early after Slovenia scored two goals before halftime, but a second-half goal by forward Landon Donovan triggered a comeback. If not for an unfavorable call late in the second half, America could have come away with a win.

Slovenia struck first in the 13th minute, when midfielder Valter Birsa received the ball outside the penalty area and guided his shot past goalie Tim Howard. The U.S. team struggled to respond quickly. The Americans got a chance in the 35th minute after Slovenian defender Bostjan Cesar earned a yellow card for fouling forward Jozy Altidore. The resulting free kick by Francisco Torres threatened to arc into the net before goalkeeper Samir Handanovic punched the ball out of bounds. Five minutes later Donovan seemed sure to tap in a cross from forward Clint Dempsey when defender Miso Brecko pushed the ball out of reach with a last minute tackle.

Instead, it was the Slovenians who scored before the half, when forward Zlatan Ljubijankic launched a shot from inside the penalty area to make the score 2-0. Undeterred, the Americans would return to the field firing on all cylinders. In the 48th minute Donovan took the ball in from the right wing and boomed an almost horizontal shot into the net. This provided a shot in the arm for the U.S. offense, which began attacking with renewed vigor. The defense also stepped up, with Jay DeMerit and Oguchi Onyewu fending off Slovenia’s counterattacks, but the Americans desperately needed an equalizing goal.

It came in the 82nd minute, as midfielder Michael Bradley raced into the penalty area to flick in a headed pass from Altidore. With a win suddenly within reach, the U.S. rushed to score again, getting a big break just four minutes later. After Altidore was fouled outside the penalty box, Donovan’s free kick sailed toward midfielder Maurice Edu, who hammered the ball home. Unfortunately, referee Koman Coulibaly called a foul in the penalty area, negating the goal. Although both sides traded attacks, the match ended in a stalemate.

After Algeria’s scoreless tie with England Friday night, Slovenia now sits at the top of Group C with four points after one win and one tie. The United States is tied with for second with England, each team with two points, but the Americans hold a tiebreaker over the English because they have scored more goalss. Algeria sits at the bottom of the group with one point after tying England. America will play its final match of the group stage without forward Robbie Findley, who received his second yellow card of the tournament in the 40th minute.

Spirits were high despite the chill on Tuesday night. Fans had come from all over to see Brazil beat North Korea. No matter to whom I talked, the answer was the same.

Dylan Peterson of Johannesburg had Brazil winning the match 2-0. Fellow Joburg resident Charles Wan predicted Brazil, 3-1. A Brazilian fan who brought his own flag to the match? 4-0 Brazil. Derrick Brown, a Scotsman visiting his brother in Johannesburg, did not even provide a final score, forecasting that Brazil would win by “a lot.” A college student from Beijing wasted no time with her prediction. “Of course Brazil,” she said, “but I hope Korea could make a goal,” she added meekly. Brazilian fans painted Ellis Park Stadium in a sea of green and yellow in anticipation of a blowout.
So imagine their surprise when the whistle blew at halftime and the scoreboard still read 0-0. The North Korean defense had held against the Brazilian offense’s renowned joga bonito for a full 45 minutes. When the goal drought finally ended in the second half, Brazil’s supporters roared with relief as much as enthusiasm. The atmosphere was a bit more relaxed as another goal put Brazil up 2-0, but the tension would rise again before the final whistle. Ji Yun Nam’s strike in the 89-minute of the match sent a shockwave through the stadium. The lowest-ranked team in the tournament had scored against tournament favorites Brazil?

Even though the fans got to celebrate that night (one group of fans even marched down the exit ramp with drums) the fact remained: North Korea had given Brazil a fight. Even without victory, such a performance will send a message to the rest of Group G: Portugal and Ivory Coast had better watch their backs.

This match could mean one of two things: either Brazil has lost a step, or North Korea is able to keep up with the big boys. The truth is most likely somewhere in the middle, and further matches should give us a definitive answer. Personally, I have my money on the latter.

U.S. ties England 1-1

A blunder by English goalkeeper Robert Green allowed the United States to tie England in Saturday night’s Group C World Cup matchup. For England, which is the favorite to win the group, the result was unexpected but not nearly as shocking as its 1-0 loss to America in the 1950 World Cup. The Americans started poorly. In the 4th minute, England skipper Steven Gerrard took a pass from Emile Heskey and slid a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Tim Howard. Down early, the Americans fought back.
Landon Donovan tried to create scoring opportunities, but forward Jozy Altidore failed to convert Donovan’s cross in the 19th minute; a 26th minute header from defender Oguchi Onyewu sailed off-target. The English attempted to protect their lead by attacking from the wings, but the chances they created all fell short. The decisive moment came in the 40th minute, when U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey, who plays for the English club Fulham, fired a shot from outside the penalty box, straight at Green. The ball hit Green in the hands and trickled past him to tie the score.

Following halftime, both teams appeared eager to take control. Play was physical, with the referee handing out yellow cards to both sides. The Americans and the English exchanged attacks, but neither capitalized on their scoring opportunities. Howard made a spectacular stop on a point-blank shot from Heskey in the 52nd minute. Green had his moment as well and leapt to block a shot from Altidore off the post in the 67th minute.

In the closing minutes, England, looking for a winner, substituted 6’6’’ Peter Crouch into the game, but it was too late for him to have any impact on the outcome. England will have to hope that Green’s mistake does not come back to haunt them later in the group stage. A victory would have given England three points, but both teams will have to settle for just one.
America and England are now tied for first place in the Group C standings. The other two teams in the group, Slovenia and Algeria, will play Sunday. The United States will next face Slovenia on Friday; England plays Algeria the same day.