Having said that, I have watched a fair bit of the World Cup and have noticed that I really did have the wrong idea about it. If you get into it, it is actually an exciting form of entertainment. Especially if you have some form of concern about who is going to win.

Another stigma that comes along with the rugby fever that has spread through South Africa is the passionate ability to use foul language toward the Referee – and insist that for some reason he will always be against our side. I’m not so sure! For me it’s in bad taste to insult a presumably professional referee – just because we loosing – or as it turns out at the moment, even when we winning.

So, the question is: “Who is going to win tonight?”

For me it is a toss up (and I say this because I would prefer not to be disappointed either way)… if we do win, that’s fantastic – well done us – I’m sure it was my avid support hat helped you win.

On the other hand, if we do loose – you have to admit it is quite fascinating to watch the reaction that comes with a loss… That sounds horrible, so let me ratify it slightly (if that’s possible).

We South African’s are very fickle when it comes to our rugby team (and coach as it were). If we loose, the coach is immediately fired and the team is simply deemed “useless”. But if we do win – it’s all anyone can talk about for months. In addition, it really is just a game – so don’t take it so seriously. We may win tonight but we are certain to loose in the future… life will go on!

So, after that rather cynical comment – I sincerely wish the Boks good luck tonight. I would rather have the excitement that has already spread across South Africa continue to do so, than have to examine a poor losing attitude.

So – This past week I have had the absolute privilege of riding the Imana Wild Ride, a four day Mountain Bike stage race up the wild coast. Having gained some rather distinct and quite bizarre tan lines, I have also witnessed some of the most beautiful sights imaginable.

Picture this – riding along a deserted beach as you try to follow the wave line in search of the hardest surface, you glance up ahead and watch the cascading waves break against the rugged black cliffs. The only problem about enjoying that sight is that you soon realize you have to get over the cliff, and the only way of doing so is with your bike on your back and your calves screaming with pain as you hike up what is affectionately (or not) termed a “mother”.

Take the steepest hill you know, multiply it by seven, increase its gradient by 15% and you’ll possibly get a bit of an idea what a goat track up a mother is like. There’s no doubt that while the Imana is a beautiful experience, it is also one of the toughest races there is.  I first realized this when I arrived at my initiation river crossing. Naturally I thought, “Let me keep my bike above my head where it’ll be nice and dry”. I only realized when my head had been submerged and my bike was casually forcing me under that I had probably erred in judgement.

Apart from the most spectacular riding, pushing, carrying and swimming you’ll ever experience, the Imana Wild Ride as I discovered, is far more than just a race or the crude boys (with girls present) weekend that it appears to be. The Imana Wild Ride contributes to building classrooms and developing education in the rural communities along the Transkei.

As you ride from one five star hotel to another, you ride through some of the poorest communities in South Africa. Although one feels guilty riding an expensive piece of machinery, it helps to know that at the “fine’s evening on day three of the race, R195 000 was raised.

While the race really is just another event to some, it has helped me realize that preserving our beautiful coast line and developing the local communities through education really is the ultimate goal. A goal that should always be kept in mind as you traverse the beautiful terrain of the Wild Coast.

To be honest, jokes aside, I am utterly infuriated when I read in our papers, about the government officials who are supposed to be serving the public. No, Bheki Cele, the “blue-light issue” which the newspapers are continuing to report as a voice of the public, is not a race issue. Nor is it anyone’s right, and especially not leader/role-models, to have cavalcades of black vehicles speeding on OUR national roads, endangering the lives of public citizens.

Arrogance, superiority and utter ignorance… yes… that’s what the “blue-light issue” has taught me about some of our top officials. Why stay at home and be assaulted by your cat’s arrogance when you could happily saunter down to the N3 to have it done by local government officials. Sure, you’re more likely to die in a stand off between a blue-light cavalcade than one between you and your cat, but I assure you it will be a far more effective levelling experience. Travel safely in the fast-lane and just wait for it. In all likelihood you are bound to come across a government official and his cavalcade, who, being superior to you, shouldn’t have a problem gently nudging you off the road while travelling in excess of 150 Km/ph.

NO, it is not ok because you have blue-flashing lights and YES, the public and the newspapers are going to challenge you!

What seriously shocks me is the ignorance and utter stupidity of some of our government officials. The whole issue would have died down had Bheki Cele simply apologized for local government road behaviour and endeavoured to have the VIP units drive more responsibly in the future. Instead, Cele decided to wage a war on the newspapers and the so-called “whistle blower” who videoed government officials driving irresponsibly and at excessive speeds. In place of assuring the newspapers that he would control the situation, Cele decided to show his stupidity and drag his name through the dirt by going after the whistle blower.

The Witness (p.2, 8 May 2007) today, gave more foundation to my theories. MEC Peggy Nkonyeni is denying the fact that her driver was arrested, travelling at 172Km/ph while taking her to a meeting. I just ask myself, how stupid can they get… Denying it ever happened and proceeding to lay blame on other people (as in the whistle blower scenario) is not a solution and will only stir the emotions of the people even more.

This is not a race issue. It is an issue of complete abuse of power. It is quite unfathomable to me, why all papers aren’t focusing on this issue. Whatever your race or cultural background, this behaviour is an insult to us all.

Next time a big, black car with furious blue-lights arrives behind your car on the N3… What are you going to do? Should you stick by your ideology and express your right to travel at the speed limit in the fast lane… Probably not, well at least not if you don’t want to wind up dead or have a gun pointed through a window at you. No, these civil servants, believe it or not, shouldn’t be challenged. Next time this happens, just gingerly pull aside… no scrap that… just swerve as hard as you can to the side. Seriously, the grass or a truck are a better option, at least they won’t try charge you with some bogus legal action.

The sad fact is, we can’t…don’t… just don’t, challenge them. At those speeds and the aggression these guys drive with, it could be your life they’ll take away from you.