Aaron Mokoena: What a year

This will be an important year for South Africa, not only in sporting terms, but in its development as a modern country. Memories of persecution, savage violence and strife still linger, but they are suppressed as the nation strives forward within the international community. Aaron Mokoena, captain of South Africa, represents the transition period in South Africa over the last twenty years.

The Portsmouth player grew up in a township plagued by violence and managed to work his way out, to become the leader of ‘Bafana Bafana’ and the most capped player in the country’s history.

At the launch of Knot Violence, a charity close to his heart, Mokoena spoke about the positive impact that hosting the World Cup will have on his country and the whole continent.

“For me to be involved with this campaign and to bring that awareness to people is important,” said Mokoena, the charity’s ambassador. “There’s so much more we can enjoy. I think this World Cup really has to change that and hopefully it will.”

Drawing parallels with the impact the 1995 Rugby World Cup victory had on the country, Mokoena sees the influence this summer’s tournament could have, both on sporting and social levels.

“The rugby World Cup [in 1995] showed how powerful sport is. Hopefully this World Cup can unify people and create opportunities for them. There are so many positive things out there in sport and in what sport can bring.”

One of the big issues surrounding this World Cup though is the issue of safety. President Jacob Zuma has assured traveling fans know that they will be safe by highlighting the efforts he has made to improve the infrastructure of the country. Despite this, with the incident at the African Cup of Nations in Angola earlier this year, when Togo’s team bus was attacked resulting in three deaths, an element of fear still lingers.

Comparing the incident in Angola with the safety of South Africa doesn’t trouble Mokoena. “It doesn’t really annoy me,” he said. “For me it’s my task to educate people and raise that awareness. Yes Angola is not far from South Africa and people must take precautions ahead, but as I always say to people, ‘you know what’, South Africa is a beautiful country and there are so many things you can enjoy.

“Our president played a good role in giving people that invite. He said that we must make sure that we protect you. Safety is really important to Jacob Zuma. It really played a role in me becoming involved in this anti-gun campaign.”

This is not only a huge year for the nation, but for Aaron Mokoena as well. Not only will he be leading out his country in the first ever World Cup on African soil, he will also be playing in a fairytale F.A. Cup final with Portsmouth, against all the odds and with the club deep in financial crisis.
“This year has been my year. Hopefully I’ll go [to South Africa] with something cheerful. But just making the final for me and for the players means an absolute lot.

“Honestly, I thought about it long ago and realised what a year this is. It’s incredible having Carlos Perreria as our manager, who actually won the World Cup. To have the first World Cup in Africa, in South Africa and with myself being part of that history is incredible. I can’t really explain it in words. I’m just so excited.”

Despite this incredible journey from township to figurehead of South African football, Mokoena remains humble, just another character trait for the man they call ‘the axe’.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the players. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by the players we have in the national team, and for me to be their leader keeps me going. For me it’s a big, big privilege.”