In 2010, the world was limping out of the recession years and needed something to cheer it up. Luckily, South Africa was on hand to celebrate and lift everyone’s mood as the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The trumpeting of vuvuzelas rang through the air as people from all over the world flocked to our shores for the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Africa.
As those who are old enough to remember, we didn’t fare too well at the actual game, but our spirit of ubuntu more than made up for it. The moment Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the tournament made the country cheer in unison. Plus, we were still Rugby World Cup Champions after 2007’s win, an achievement we would achieve again in 2019 and 2023.
Durban International Airport became King Shaka International Airport, and the Gautrain began operating. BBM was not yet a hashtag for Big Brother Mzansi but the way we communicated using our trendy-at-the-time Blackberrys. The roads were sleek and clean, the taxis revamped, and no matter how many times were heard ‘Waka Waka’ and ‘Wavin’ Flag’, these songs never got old. By the end of the year, South Africa became part of BRIC, with the acronym changing to BRICS to mark our presence.
2010 was also the year Mzansi Magic was born. In the years since, while the roads crumbled, the potholes widened, and the lights flickered (and went out), Mzansi Magic was, and continues to be, a mainstay as a home of local content from iNkaba all the way to Shaka iLembe. Now in its 15th year, join us in celebrating again. Raise your glass, your vuzuzela, your remote or now (halfway through the 2020s) tap or talk to your phone, tablet, or iPad, to enjoy a treasure trove of Mzansi Magic programmes with the special birthday pop-up channel on DStv channel 196.
Where were you in 2010? Share your thoughts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok using #MzansiMagic15 and #RaisedByMzansi.