Great start to 2010

The tournament has so far certainly shown the world that South Africa can party, and the vibrant and noisy manner in which we watch the game has been applauded by just about everyone.

Even the freezing, driving rain of Cape Town was not enough to put off the fun on Monday during the Italy-Paraguay match at Green Point.

I am usually sat in the Press box, where you are some way removed from the throng, but on this occasion I was in the stands and the excitement and enthusiasm of the people just to be at the stadium was thrilling to see.

Brits to the left of us, French to the right of us...

It also struck home what a cosmopolitan World Cup this is. There were a trio of young ladies from America just in front of us, some Brits to the left, French to the right, and, of course, a healthy smattering of Italians and Paraguayans through the stadium.

Those were just the nationalities I identified, there were many more I'm sure, and it brings home that the world's eyes really are on South Africa.

A BBC journalist asked the question at the opening game between South Africa and Mexico, "has a nation ever been more excited at hosting the World Cup?"

The answer to that is surely No!

That vexed question of the vuvuzela

The vuvuzelas continue to be a talking point, with LOC CEO Danny Jordaan claiming he never quite said they could be banned after complaints from broadcasters and some individuals.

I have found so far that if you ask the actual fans at the stadiums, locals and foreign guests, the vast majority love them!

It is an atmosphere so unique to South Africa, do we really want to turn this World Cup into another sterile European affair?

And who is most important here, the paying public, who have parted with their hard-earned cash for match tickets, or the international broadcasters who cannot get the volume mix right between the commentary and the stadium noise?

It should be the paying public, but I am not naïve enough as to think that the broadcasters won't ultimately win the day if they apply enough pressure on Jordaan and FIFA.

But here is to hoping that they see sense, and take this African World Cup for what it is, a celebration of the continent and ALL that comes with it, the vuvuzela included.