Everson Luhanga
Banyana Banyana were given a hero’s welcome when they returned from their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) triumph on Tuesday.
The OR Tambo International Airport was painted red, green, blue and yellow with hundreds of South Africans from different cultures dressed in one colour, the South African flag.
It was not only football loving fans that came through to the airport. Sports lovers in general were in attendance. Both cricket and rugby fans were also seen dancing and cheering for the arrival of Banyana.
Traditional dancers of different tribes lined up, entertaining the huge audience that embraced the champions.
Lizzy Khensani Sithole from Alexandra said she is a major football fan and a supporter of Banyana.
“I am so proud to be a South African. We couldn’t wait for sunrise so we could come to the airport,” she said.
“We were here at about 8am. I just love our female soccer team.”
Rasta the social artist, real name Lebani Sirenje, painted Desiree Ellis and hopes to hand over the painting to the Banyana Banyana coach.
Rasta, who lives in Berea in the inner city of Johannesburg, arrived early to make sure he didn’t miss the special occasion.
People arriving in the country at the international arrivals had the benefit of the occasion as fans ululated, cheered and applauded anyone that came through the arrivals doors.
The whistling and the noise of the vuvuzelas were the great sounds that every champion would like to hear coming home to South Africa.
The security, however, was uncompromising. There was a huge presence of both Ekurhuleni Metro Police and the SAPS.
South Africa defeated hosts Morocco 2-1 on Saturday to claim their first ever African title in their sixth final appearance.
