South Africa’s Most Memorable Moments
South Africa’s Most Memorable Moments
With all the bad news that is going around in our community these days, it is important to stop and remember that our beautiful country has more to it than the eyes meet. South Africa has some of the world’s best and most memorable moments, and we should not just look past it but rather embrace it. Use it as a tool to dream again, and strive for peace and equality. These memories should bring us as a country together again, in order for us to move forward and for us to stand together and be proud together.
There is no “I” in “Team”. We as a country achieved our goals together as a team, not individuals.
Lets look back at moments where we made history and can be proud of. Grab hands again and be proud of these life changing moments where we supported each other and helped achieve them together as a nation.
1. Apartheid comes to an end
Apartheid sparked significant internal resistance, violence, and a long arms and trade embargo against South Africa. Starting in the 1950s, a series of popular uprisings and protests was met with the banning of opposition and imprisoning of anti-apartheid leaders. As unrest spread and became more effective and militarised, state organisations responded with repression and violence. Along with the sanctions placed on South Africa by the international community, this made it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain the regime. Apartheid reforms in the 1980s failed to quell the mounting opposition, and in 1990 President Frederik Willem de Klerk began negotiations to end apartheid, culminating in multi-racial democratic elections in 1994, won by the African National Congress under Nelson Mandela.A new constitution, which enfranchised blacks and other racial groups, took effect in 1994, and elections that year led to a coalition government with a nonwhite majority, marking the official end of the apartheid system.
2. 1995 Rugby World Cup
When the ‘Bokke’ won the World Cup in 1995, it was not a victory for the rugby team but a victory for the new ‘Rainbow Nation.’ After being reintroduced to the sporting world, South Africa did not hold back to try to make a statement to the rest of the sporting world. There are so many memories that have made their mark on the South African conscience; Mandela wearing the Springbok jersey, the plane swooping over the stadium and the crucial drop-kick goal by Joel Stransky to make sure we won the Webb Ellis trophy.
3. South Africa wins 1996 African Cup of Nations
After replacing the original hosts for the tournament, Kenya, South Africa became hosts and went on to beat Tunisia in the final. South Africa started strong right from the beginning beating Cameroon 3-0 and moved through the rest of the tournament strongly despite one loss from Egypt. Bafana Bafana faced Tunisia at the FNB Stadium with substitute Mark Williams scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes.
4. Fifth ODI, Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2005
Acclaimed as ‘The greatest one day international match ever played,’ it was a game that broke many records. Australia was the first to bat and scoring 434 runs in 50 years. South Africa answered this by scoring 438 for 9 wickets and having only one ball to spare. Mark Boucher scored the winning run in dramatic fashion by hitting a four.
5. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal at 2010 FIFA World Cup
The atmosphere was electric on the opening day of Africa’s first hosting of the FIFA World Cup. Vuvuzelas and makarapas became a world-wide sensation and Bafana Bafana had a lot of pressure to perform on the opening day. Fortunately, Siphiwe Tshabalala stepped forward and scored a superb goal that made a whole nation get on its feet to celebrate.
6. Oscar Pistorius competes in 2012 Olympics
His dream was to compete against able-bodied athletes and after years of court procedures, the Blade Runner was able to make a world first and compete in the 2012 Olympics. He didn’t win a medal however he inspired the world to show that impossible was possible.
7. Penny Heyns wins double gold at Atlanta Olympics
Atlanta was the host city of the centennial Olympics. South Africa managed to win five medals (three golds, two silvers and one bronze). The South African star of the tournament was Penelope Heyns. She is the only woman in the Olympic Games to have won the 100m and 200m breaststroke events and she is also considered one of the greatest breaststroke swimmers.
8. Chad le Clos win a gold medal in 2012 Olympics
Another 2012 Olympic moment, Chad le Clos won gold in the 200m butterfly and at the same time, beating Michael Phelps who is considered to be the ‘greatest Olympian ever’ by miniscule 0.05 seconds. On top of the great achievement, his father became an internet sensation after his interview with the BBC.
9. Jody Scheckter wins 1979 Formula One World Championship
Many people forget that we have a Formula One World Champion. Jody Scheckter was known for his reckless and maverick ways of driving has won a Formula One Championship in 1979 and sharing the title with the likes of Jackie Stuart, Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button.
10. Miss World hold 3 SA Titles
Penelope Anne Coelen
Penelope Anne Coelen was South Africa’s first Miss World winner in 1958. Back then, the pageant was still in its early years, attracting only 22 contestants. The 18-year-old secretary from Durban was excited when she was crowned. Coelen at the time said, “It’s just wonderful. Just think – I was only Miss South Africa yesterday, now I’m Miss World. I feel on top of the world.”
Anneline Kriel
South Africa’s second Miss World competition winner was the 19-year-old Anneline Kriel who walked away with the crown in 1974. The model and actress from Witbank lived on to become an ambassador for several beauty brands while completing public relations activities.
Rolene Strauss
The Miss World 2014 winner, Rolene Strauss, is originally from Volksrust, Mpumalanga. She is studying towards her medical degree at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. When the beauty queen was only 15-years old, she won the national selection for the Elite Model Look International, making her the youngest winner nationally.
11. Trevor Noah Makes History
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally happened. Trevor Noah made history last night as he became the first South African comedian to host an American TV show. The Daily Show has been hosted by the legendary Jon Stewart for the past 16 years, but now it’s time for Noah to make his mark and kick off a whole new era for the show. The gig offers him his biggest stage yet – and the opportunity to win over Stewart’s fans.
12. Charlize Theron wins an Oscar for best actress
South African born Hollywood actress, Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her lead role in the movie “Monster” on 29 February 2004, making her the first African to do so. Theron portrays real life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the movie. She had to alter her appearance and gain about 15 kilograms for the role. Her performance garnered her critical acclaim and won her several other awards, including an Academy Award, SAG Award and a Golden Globe Award. – See more at: http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/south-african-born-charlize-theron-wins-oscar-best-actress-movie-monster#sthash.KDT0OvQn.dpuf
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