World Cup 2010 in South Africa has increased soccer awareness in the United States dramatically. The tournament has brought the beauty of the world’s most popular game into the homes of millions of Americans that would otherwise pay the sport no attention at all. There have been hours of soccer coverage every day with wonderful athletic skill on display in front of a strange background noise. The non-stop rumbling of a humming or buzzing noise you hear is the Vuvuzela Stadium Horn. The horn is immensely popular in South Africa, and very controversial throughout the rest of the world.
The origins of the Vuvuzela Stadium Horn are vague and a bit mysterious. What we do know is that the Vuvuzela first appeared in Mexico in the 1970’s. Unlike the modern day plastic horns, the original horns were made of tin modified from old bicycle horns. The Vuvuzela first appeared in South Africa in the 1990’s. A man by the name of Freddie Maake claims to have invented the modern day version of the horn after his aluminum version was banned because it was considered a dangerous weapon. The plastic version we see and hear during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa may have been around for many years, but it’s new to most of the world.
Controversy has surrounded the Vuvuzela during this tournament. Many fans claim they are suffering hearing loss, leading the major manufacturers of the horn to also sell ear plugs. Players on the pitch are claiming that they cannot communicate with their team mates, and that their play is being hindered by the distracting buzzing noise. Television viewers in countries unfamiliar with the Vuvuzela are complaining at an alarming rate. Viewers argue that the buzzing noise masks the sound that would normally come from the pitch, or the fans, and lessons their own person enjoyment of the matches.
On the other hand, the Vuvuzela is seen as part of the South African culture, and is being embraced by many throughout the world and as a symbol of the vibrant culture present in the country.