open source video, online video platform, video streaming, video solutions
Image 1 – South Africa and Brazil, hosts of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments, have teamed up to spread the message of HIV prevention; Image 2 – A father and daughter participate in an HIV/AIDS awareness program in Johannesburg; Image 3 – Collin Williams, the program manager at the Tehillah Community Center , is one of the foot soldiers in South Africa’s fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic; Image 4 – at the Tehillah Center, HIV/AIDS prevention is part of a holistic approach to solving problems among young people in Soweto

SOWETO, South Africa — Collin Williams’ long, French-tipped nails animatedly sliced through the air as he described the unique community in which he works, as if his piercing words and direct stare weren’t enough to capture its essence.

The welcoming sounds of children chanting the alphabet and the consistent pop of billiard balls colliding from the nearby game room contrasted sharply with the “Enter at Your Own Risk” sign taped to the front door near the main entrance. Williams’ modest clothing made the program manager at the Tehillah Community Center seem right at home in the mildly lit cobbled halls.

He spoke with evident pride as he explained the center’s unique, hands-on outreach initiatives that make it a cornerstone in the Soweto community, specifically in terms of dealing with HIV prevention, treatment and support.

While South Africa still has one of the largest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, programs like the Tehillah center have helped reverse the trend. A specific, notable decrease has been shown among youth aged 2 to 24 in a 2008 HIV Prevalence Survey released by the National Department of Health. The survey reported decreases from 5.6 percent in 2002 to 2.5 percent in 2008 in children aged 2 to 14, and 10.3 percent in 2005 to 8.6 percent in 2008 in children aged 15-24. Nongovernmental organizations and government agencies have joined forces to develop effective outreach campaigns to spread the message of abstinence, monogamy, regular testing and condom use.

A national survey in 2008 was designed to comparatively evaluate the various factors causing South Africa’s high infection rates, specifically addressing each of South Africa’s provinces. “A Turning Tide Among Teenagers?” reported males and females aged 15-24 had the highest reported rates of condom use at last sex among all age groups.

“In the schools, guys and girls use the condoms for shoe polish, yet they still count them in their stats. They need to come to the communities and find out how many people are really using condoms for sex,” Williams said, emphasizing that his one-on-one experiences of working within the community proved that statistics don’t reflect the reality of teenage sexual practices.

Williams said his honesty about his status as being HIV-positive and homosexual combined with his leadership role in the community has established a bond of trust and confidence between him and community members. He frustratingly recalled an argument with the department of health about lack of follow-up about condom use after distribution.

“The education programs our government has done over the past few years haven’t been effective, because they gloss over the topic,” Williams said of what he feels to be the government’s detached approach to prevention. “That was the biggest embarrassment to us in our country. If the leadership doesn’t take it seriously and doesn’t want to take it head-on then the masses won’t take it seriously.”

The community center practices an interactive approach to prevention, including having five on-duty nurses available at the center for counseling and separate sex-education discussion groups for young girls and boys. Williams says these practices significantly contributed to the drop in teenage pregnancy rates and young infection rates in the area since the center’s opening in 2008.

Obstacles still remain to decreasing the infection rate, however, as South Africans battle the complex factors influencing the differing rates across the provinces.

Dr. Liz Floyd, the director of the Multi-Sectoral AIDS Unit in Gauteng Province, said the complex issue of high infection rates among young adults who are out of school and unemployed is one of the most difficult challenges the government is trying to approach.

Floyd, head of the government branch designed to specifically address AIDS in Gauteng Province, added that the lack of opportunity for students to advance their education or gain employment once they leave secondary school creates a multifaceted barrier beyond simple AIDS awareness and prevention methods. The complexity of the issue segues into economic and educational concerns as well, which is why the department relies on cooperation and support from within communities.

She placed emphasis on an entirely different, if not marginalized, portion of the population facing similar difficulties: low-income, middle-aged women.

“We have a higher HIV infection rate among poor women because of a tendency to have sex for income; not necessarily for cash, but for survival,” Floyd said.

Floyd reported that middle-aged women have one of the highest infection rates of all population groups because of too many instances of forced sex without a condom. Her experience has shown that preaching the importance of safe sex and prevention is not a high priority for people, particularly women, in circumstances of extreme poverty.

The futility of the government’s programs has left many critics calling for a change in policy and leadership. A member of the Provincial Legislature for Gauteng Province and a Democratic Alliance spokesman, Neil Campbell, spoke out against what he characterized as an outdated and ineffective platform.

“It’s pathetic,” Campbell said. “HIV/AIDS is treated as a special disease in this country. Because there was an element of stigmatization with the disease, you weren’t allowed to even mention the word HIV. Instead we have these loveLife campaigns where we put out a whole lot of glossy papers, but half of the people can’t read because we’ve got education standards that are so low. I believe that our government has failed us here, and President Zuma with his shower solution to first exposure prophylaxis takes the cake.”

Campbell was referring to a statement Jacob Zuma made in 2006 — before he became president —during a trial in which he was accused of raping an HIV-positive woman. Zuma’s defense to not using a condom was that he left the bedroom and showered after they had consensual sex, minimizing his risk of infection.
The controversial comment was one of many that supported claims of government apathy toward the epidemic. However, the government is now campaigning to spread awareness and prevention to reduce the country’s high infection rate.

Sarah Laurence, a consultant at Health and Development Africa and a member of the African non-governmental organization’s research team, said a survey was conducted by Health and Development Africa to evaluate various communication campaigns around HIV. The survey’s results reflect a success that conflicts with Campbell’s stance that the campaigns are futile. The survey even formed a direct link between media campaign exposure and the likelihood of using a condom during sex.

“If you had only seen one mass media campaign around HIV prevention you were less likely to use a condom as compared to somebody who had seen five and even less like than somebody who had seen all 11,” Laurence said of the survey’s results.

The country has numerous media campaigns, including Soul City, addressing issues like the importance of monogamy and condom use among teenagers, and Brothers for Life, which promotes male empowerment and accountability for sexual practices. While each of South Africa’s campaigns appeals to a different audience and promotes varying messages, one consistent theme is emphasized in all HIV campaigns: self-responsibility to prevent infection.

Reported by “A Turning Tide Among Teenagers,” the Soul City campaign (mainly focused toward adults) and the Soul Buddyz campaign (focused on children) uses multiple media outlets, both broadcast and print.

These outlets, combined with practical activities like Soul Buddyz clubs, allowed for over 75 percent of youth aged 15-24 to be exposed to Soul City’s campaign in 2008.

“People always ask do these campaigns work, and what we’re seeing is that they do work,” Laurence said. “They have worked on certain key indicators; on other indicators they haven’t been shown to be very effective but I think that’s because the messaging is quite new.”

The highest exposure rate, however, came from the government-sponsored campaign, loveLife, which reached 79 percent of youth aged 15-24 in 2008, as reported by “A Turning Tide Among Teenagers.”

The Multi-Sectoral AIDS Unit’s approach goes beyond pamphlets, television and radio commercials: the unit provides workshops to promote self-esteem among women and basic skill training to increase survival skills. This campaign, Floyd says, has promoted a significant increase in condom use among middle-aged women living below the poverty line.

South Africa was able to use its role as 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts to reach extend the reach of the government’s awareness and prevention message, and the tournament provided a platform for the unit’s outreach campaigns.

A Brazilian samba band, decked out in white pants and teal T-shirts, performed to a gathering crowd as people slowly milled onto the New Market square in Newtown before the recent World Cup final. A long bus with larger than life figures in various capoeira positions sprawled across the sides and a large red bow tightly tied around the door caught the curious stares of passers-by.

The festive atmosphere surrounding the launch of the Wake Cup campaign provided a distinct contrast to the seriousness of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. The coordinating partners of the Wake Cup campaign, the Multi-Sectoral AIDS Unit, a local nongovernmental organization, Bridges of Hope, the Brazilian government and the Brazilian Ministry of Health, used “the party of football” as a platform for South Africa’s battle with HIV.

The coordinator of the launch and a member of the campaign, Valentina Brena Torres, said the purpose of the day was to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement to capture and maintain the audience’s attention while still conveying the importance of condom use.

“That’s the importance of getting in with the people and inviting people to get on the bus,” Brena, a Uruguayan, said. “Once they get on the bus we have different cartoons about how to use a condom and different kinds of cartoons or drawings by different designers; we try to make a funny story to explain each of the drawings. We try to talk with the people and we invite them to participate in our plays. Then, after this, we hand out the condoms and the pamphlets.”

The bus and surrounding market square remained a bed of activity well into the day. Volunteers mingled in the crowd, distributing condoms from large cardboard boxes and pamphlets demonstrating proper condom use.

Oliver Kulilishika, a social worker from Lusaka, Zambia, visiting Newtown, said the festive atmosphere immediately sparked his curiosity.

“The campaign has an impact. Being a social worker, I think it’s a very good approach, and it’s something I feel I could adapt to my country when I get back to Zambia. It’s an eye-opener for me, using visual aids as an approach toward the eradication of HIV,” Kulilishika said.

The launch was the first of many days of music, skits, condoms and soccer as the bus traveled to various fan parks throughout Gauteng for the duration of the World Cup.

Laurence stressed that while research continues to show overall positive results, she would like to see more campaigns, like the Wake Cup, that take a proactive, direct approach to the problem with local campaigns.

“I’d really like to see our findings being used to enforce a local level response,” Laurence said. “From a research point of view, it would nice to see our findings actually translated into action.”

Brena agreed, issuing a call to action to those unaware of the pandemic and its effects in particular on sub-Saharan Africa.

“We can’t wait for the politicians,” Brena said. “As much as we want to join up with them, everyone has to start with something; bit by bit, as each person comes, we can put a brake on the spread of AIDS in the world.”

German woman Karen Ramsden — Photograph by He Long

JOHANNESBURG – Germany’s trip to the World Cup ended in success Saturday after the team secured its fourth bronze medal in a 3-2 win over Uruguay.

A few near-misses and constant action characterized the game in Port Elizabeth as Germany claimed the lead early in the game with crisp passing and persistent offense.

Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera turned away a thundering long-range shot by midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, whose teammate Thomas Müller turned the rebound into the first goal for Germany 19 minutes into the game.

Nine minutes later Uruguay’s Diego Perez stripped the ball from Schweinsteiger and initiated a series of passes that ultimately found forward Edinson Cavani, who tied the game at 1-1.

German goalkeeper Jörg Butt was put to the test less than four minutes into the second half and blocked two attempts within seconds of each other. The next 10 minutes tested both sides’ defenses: Uruguayan forward Diego Forlán secured a surprise goal in the 51st minute after a well-placed pass from Egidio Arévalo, followed five minutes later by a goal by German midfielder Marcell Jansen to tie the score again.

The last ten minutes of the game were packed with drama. Butt’s strong performance was highlighted by three saves in less than five minutes. Midfielder Sami Khedira thrust the Germans into the lead with a dramatic header from a scramble in the penalty area after a corner kick, making the score 3-2.

In a last-ditch effort, Forlán took a free kick three minutes into stoppage time that bounced off the crossbar, barely missing what would have been the game-tying goal. The final whistle came immediately afterward, and Germany’s third-place finish was secure.

JOHANNESBURG – Tension captured the air as Spanish and Paraguayan fans watched their teams miss dramatic back-to-back penalty kicks that changed the face of the final game of the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals Saturday night.

The previous 57 minutes held little excitement for fans, as both teams remained deadlocked before an onrush of offense brought sudden life into the contest at historic Ellis Park Stadium.

After the dust settled, Spanish forward David Villa hit the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute against South American rival Paraguay, leaving a final score of 1-0.

“We had all sorts of problems in this match; we knew it would be very tough because Paraguay has been playing well throughout the entire World Cup,” Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta told reporters. “They made life difficult for all their opponents, and this match was decided with one quick move.”

Villa’s goal came off a rebound of a blocked attempt by Iniesta. The midfielder’s goal ricocheted off both goalposts before settling in the net, securing Spain’s victory. The goal was Villa’s fifth in five games, placing him atop the leader board for individual goals scored at the Cup.

The penalty-kick drama in the 57th minute was triggered when Spanish defender Gerard Pique received a yellow card for wrestling Paraguayan forward Oscar Cardozo to the ground. Cardozo took the resulting spot kick, but his scoring attempt was blocked by Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas diving to his left.

Less than a minute later, a yellow card was given to Paraguayan defender Alcaraz for overly aggressive play toward Villa, after the Spaniard’s darting run into the penalty area. Xabi Alonso calmly slotted the penalty kick, but his attempt disallowed because at least three Spanish players rushed into the penalty area before the shot was taken. Spain’s second shot was blocked and put back into play by goalkeeper Justo Villar.

There were a few teasingly close scoring chances for both sides throughout the game, as Spain barely missed the Paraguayan net and Paraguay briefly celebrated what was quickly deemed an offside goal five minutes before the half.

Paraguay’s strong defense, led by Antolín Alcaraz and Paulo da Silva, kept a tight rein on Spain’s offense, allowing both teams to leave the field at halftime scoreless.

Iniesta, voted man of the match, was focused on Wednesday’s semifinal matchup in Durban against Germany, which defeated Argentina earlier Saturday.

“It must be a tremendous motivation for them, but we too are at the top of our game,” Iniesta said. “We’re keen to progress further; it will be a match between two teams that like to keep the ball, and I think it will be a great match.”

JOHANNESBURG – A rousing cheer from Argentine fans clashed with a chorus of boos and shouts of indignation as a goal by Argentine striker Carlos Tévez that appeared to be offside was allowed.

The controversial call made for tension on the field as well as in the stands as players skeptical of the allowed goal angrily accosted the referee. It was an ominous start to what would prove to be a successful offensive game for undefeated Argentina.

“The first goal that was an offside goal changed the whole game,” said Mexican fan Jousef Jerade. “Then a mistake by our very good defender changed things. I still think that the score is not what really happened; it should have been a whole different score.”

Mexico’s defense struggled to shut down Argentina’s attacking midfielders, allowing key players like Lionel Messi to create multiple chances. After goalkeeper Oscar Pérez rushed out of the goal to block Tévez’s first attempt on goal, Messi was able to push the ball back toward the goal, setting Tévez up for his first goal in the 26th minute of the match.

The powerhouse trio of Messi, Tévez and forward Gonzalo Higuaín proved to play a huge role in setting the pace of Argentina’s game. A minor blunder by defender Ricardo Osorio led to an easy goal for Higuaín, who only had to get past the goalie to put Argentina in the lead by two in the 33rd minute.

It wasn’t a complete shutout for Mexico, however, with forward Javier Hernández securing a left-footed goal for Mexico with 19 minutes left in the game.

Argentina is already looking ahead to its next match, as coach Diego Maradona said Argentina will have to field the right players to ensure a win in Cape Town Saturday against its European rival Germany.

open source video, online video platform, video streaming, video solutions

Video by Wandoo Makurdi and He Long

RUSTENBURG, South Africa — Defender Samuel Inkoom raised the Ghanaian and South African flags in the air as he celebrated his team’s win with a victory lap around the field. The poignant gesture symbolized African unity and support of the Black Stars’ 2-1 win over the United States.

Saturday night was not the first time Ghana has thwarted the American team, as the West Africans also eliminated the United States from the first round of the 2006 World Cup after an identical 2-1 loss to Ghana.

The Americans have repeatedly played from behind to secure narrow wins in the last moments of the game. However, the U.S. defense had a slow recovery from the Black Stars’ attacking offense, which earned its first goal in the fifth minute on the legs of Kevin-Prince Boateng.

“We didn’t take advantage of our chances, so the better team won,” said disappointed American fan Peter Talluto. “Congratulations, it’s been a good run. Four years from now, hopefully we’ll rebound and do a little bit better.”

Ghana’s fast-paced style and strategy proved to be effective in moving the team forward with young standout players like Asamoah Gyan, who also scored the game-winner in the 93rd minute. Forward André Ayew, the 20-year-old son of soccer legend Abédi Pelé, also rose to the occasion and was named man of the match.

The young team has progressed under the leadership of Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, who helped Ghana finish second in the African Cup of Nations in Angola earlier this year.

“Ghana has shown that Africans are also capable of doing something like any other country in the world,” shouted one elated Ghanaian fan as he exited the stadium.

“Ghana did it for us,” yelled another passer-by. “I’m South African, so I’m happy for the African country if they can take this.”

It appeared the U.S. team could pull off another come-from-behind win when midfielder Landon Donovan converted a penalty kick in the second half. However, unlike the team’s memorable comebacks from one goal down to tie England, two goals down to tie Slovenia and a stoppage-time win against Algeria, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

“We can’t keep starting games like that,” U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra told fifa.com. “We pushed and pushed to make comebacks, and today we tried our luck and it just ran out. I think we kept going; today just wasn’t our day.”

Ghana will face Uruguay in Johannesburg on July 2 in hopes of becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.

Photograph by Clarece Polke

JOHANNESBURG — Green has become a color with versatile meaning and uses in South Africa: it is one of the colors of the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, and is also color of the well-manicured grass in each of the country’s 10 World Cup stadiums. More recently, however, it has become the color of the government’s efforts to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into everyday World Cup festivities.

The FIFA Green Goal Program is implemented through South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs. National environmental volunteer Mabogo Colert is a Johannesburg resident hired by the department to increase public awareness and involvement in reducing energy consumption. Volunteers also encourage citizens to use water more efficiently and practice responsible tourism and environmentally friendly infrastructure during the World Cup.

Examples of responsible tourist practices include carpooling instead of using taxis, not littering after games or concerts, using electricity and water wisely and recycling plastic bottles.

“In some ways, we cannot stop the pollution, but we can minimize it,” Colert said about the goal behind her message. “Sometimes people do things without knowing what they’re doing and that’s a problem. If you make them aware, they can minimize what they’re doing.”

Norman Magame, a 20-year-old resident of Orlando West, Soweto, agreed adding that sustaining the environment has not been a priority for many black South Africans. However, he believes the issue goes beyond lack of knowledge to basic cultural differences.

“Blacks don’t understand the importance of the environment; the only thing we care about is fun,” Magame said. “The kind of culture we have, we believe in cutting down trees and killing animals. If we had something to teach the people there’s more to life than cutting down trees, then maybe it would change the situation.”
Albi Modise, chief director of communications for the national Department of Environmental Affairs, said in an e-mail message that the program allocates a limited number of volunteers to each province. Volunteers are responsible for raising questions around the initiative in addition to conducting surveys addressing social, environmental and economic matters.

Thendo Mkuya, another national environmental volunteer involved in the campaign, said in an e-mail message that there is a gap in effective communication between the younger and older generation.

“When it comes to environmental terms, they are not there in our indigenous languages,” Mkuya said. “To explain it fully to old people is a challenge, but to the young adult it’s very effective because some of them already know about global warming or climate change that we are facing.”

Mkuya, who is fluent in Tshivenda and English, said language is a barrier not just between old and young, but between various tribes. Volunteers, most of whom are from KwaZulu-Natal Province, have to work together to compile language skills to ensure they can effectively communicate with locals in every region they visit. Modise said volunteers were chosen based on their enrollment in environment-related subjects at a postsecondary institution, and that the program is aimed at providing temporary jobs under the government’s broader agenda of poverty alleviation, skills development and temporary job creation.

To participate in South Africa’s green initiative visit The Green Passport where you can calculate your carbon footprint and learn how to offset the footprint against a select project.

Landon Donovan warming up before Wednesday's game (Photograph by Aaron Lancaster)

JOHANNESBURG ─ Elation, shock and disbelief swelled throughout the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as, with mere minutes left in the final Group C match of the FIFA World Cup, U.S. striker Jozy Altidore’s blocked low shot was transformed into a goal by Landon Donovan, advancing the American team to the next round.

Stars and Stripes waved with an almost manic ferocity as fans in Pretoria leapt into each other’s arms and punched the air, like the unrestrained American team’s celebration on the field. In an apparent fit of desperation and frustration, Algerian captain Anther Yahia was ejected from the game with his second yellow card in the dying embers of the match.

It was a game where nothing was going into the net, as the U.S. surged through the game with 22 attempted shots and less than half on goal. Algerian goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi remained inflexible, blocking shot after attempted shot throughout the game.

“There was pressure on both sides,” Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper, said to fifa.com. “The second half didn’t seem like a football match at all. Everyone was running and fighting as hard as they could to get the goal. In a game like this it’s always good to get the first goal, because caution had already been thrown well and truly to the wind.”

Howard himself stood in rare form, securing 11 saves during the match. The Desert Foxes have not scored in recent years; their most recent goal came against Northern Ireland when Djamel Zidane scored in the 59th minute of the game, tying the score 1-1.

Donovan’s goal was his fourth in his overall World Cup appearances, giving him a tie as leading U.S. scorer in the FIFA World Cup, a title he shares with Bert Patenaude, a former U.S. soccer player and member of the United States Soccer Hall of Fame.

“I don’t know how the ball even came to me, to tell you the truth,” Donovan told reporters. “It all happened so quickly, which was just as well because I didn’t have time to think at all. Make no mistake, it’s the biggest moment of my career.”

When I first met Oscar and Evangelos, they were sitting across from each other at the Italian Club of Johannesburg, laughing and talking as they shared a pizza from a small white box. My teammate Kristen and I were sitting at the table quietly when Evangelos leaned across the table, smiled at us, and asked, “Hey, what’s that camera for? What are you guys doing?”

Oscar happily joined in, and within a few minutes we had a lively conversation. Curious about how an odd combination of a Greek soccer fan and a South African/Italian soccer fan got together, I asked, “So how did you guys meet?” Evangelos shrugged and said, “I was hungry, so he decided to share his pizza with me.”

My mouth dropped open, and I burst out laughing. “So wait, you two just met?” I asked. They both chuckled and nodded. “And I’m giving him a lift home a little later,” Oscar added. By this point I was looking around the bar trying to find out which bench or table “Punk’d” star Ashton Kutcher was going to jump out from, because as far as I was concerned, this had to be some kind of joke. Jokingly, I asked them, “Well, do you even know each other’s names?”

Evangelos paused for a moment, scratched his head, looked questioningly at Oscar, then tilted the empty white box toward him with his new friend’s name and order on it and read, “Oscar?”
Oscar heartily laughed and shook Evangelos’ hand and said, “Well done, mate!”
I couldn’t believe it. I’m still sitting here laughing to myself as I write this, trying to digest exactly what happened, and how much my tiny little bubble has stretched since I started this trip.

I told them what a strange pair they were, and that the same scenario would not have occurred in the United States. I find it ironic how, whenever I told people I was coming to South Africa, I was warned how dangerous it would be and what a crime-ridden city Johannesburg is. However, since I’ve been here, I’ve encountered numerous situations like that of Evangelos and Oscar: just normal, everyday people who are open, friendly and trusting. No gangsters involved in a complex trafficking and prostitution ring, no violent thieves whipping out shanks demanding cash and no creepers and rapists lurking on street corners in broad daylight waiting to strike in front of terrified onlookers.

I’m so used to the American mentality of “every man for himself” that it took a trip like this, where I was forced to interact with cultures from all across the globe, to show me glimpses of honesty, beauty and light in a world that’s dark. Maybe every international experience doesn’t have to be a scene from “Taken.”

open source video, online video platform, video streaming, video solutions

JOHANNESBURG — Following a 36-hour flight to Cape Town, another 11-hour drive to Port Elizabeth and a final 13-hour bus ride, Betsy Stalter finally arrived in Johannesburg just two days before her first live World Cup match, Ivory Coast versus Brazil. A lifelong soccer fan, the 28-year-old music teacher from Indianola, Iowa, was happy she could afford to attend the first World Cup on African soil.

“I was living in Nigeria for four months, so I’ve wanted to travel to another country in Africa to see what it was like,” Stalter said. “I’m definitely interested in South Africa for reasons other than the World Cup. It has a mystique with the wildlife and the politics and history; it’s a very rich country.”

Stalter’s excitement dimmed as she watched the U.S. national team’s lackluster performance from a fan zone in Sandton. “Our defense was really slouchy, like they weren’t even trying,” Stalter said as she angrily gestured toward the large screen. “I felt the same way about our last game; we just got lucky.”

Haitian-American fan Arnaud LaForestrie agreed, but he was more positive after the game ended. “I think so far, so good,” said the 29-year-old from New York City. “They unfortunately conceded a few goals that they shouldn’t have. But a 2-2 tie for me, in my heart, is still a win for them.”

Stalter and LaForestrie shared more than just discontent with the U.S. team’s defense: both were excited to experience their first World Cup in Africa. “I think it’s great for Africa,” LaForestrie said. “It’s going to unify people a lot more and show people that Africa can hold their own World Cup and help other people learn about what Africa has to offer.”

The continent holds a mystique for Ft. Washington, Md., resident Najuma Sissoko, whose husband is from Ivory Coast. She came to South Africa despite the fears expressed by friends and family members.

“I have had a lot of times in the past with people asking ‘why would you want to go to Africa,’ ” Sissoko said. “Well that’s where you’re from, so you have to come and visit Africa. This is my once in a lifetime chance to come here and see the World Cup and see South Africa as well.”

While Sissoko had never been to a soccer game before this trip, she traveled with her husband to what she considers to be a historic event and a particularly important experience for African-Americans.

Sissoko felt that safety concerns, in addition to lack of interest, contributed to the lack of black Americans following the World Cup. However, she is optimistic that advertising for the Cup may generate more interest before the 2014 Cup in Brazil.

“I’ve had a great time since I’ve been here; the people have been very welcoming,” Sissoko said. “I think a lot of people were scared off from coming here, but, they missed out, because South Africa did a great job in welcoming us. We haven’t had any issues, any problems, since we’ve been here.”