Prince William blowing the mighty vuvuzela (Speakers corner)

! For my speakers corner 17-06-2010

Summary:
On his second day on the African tour with his brother Harry, prince William had the privilege to blow the vuvuzela: today’s most popular instrument blowed by supporters in the Football World Cup 2010.

The prince visited his charity Sentable in Lesotho and a primary school in Botswana, where he was asked to give the vuvuzela a try. William grinned and said he can’t blow it. A little boy, Rabone Badubi of 11 years old, then puffed into the instrument to show the prince how it’s done. The prince covered one ear with his finger when the powerful sound blew out the green trumpet. William kept avoiding to give it a try, in order not to embarrass himself. After a while he reluctantly tried, producing a disappointing squelch on the green plastic trumpet. He commented “there you go, embarrassing myself again”.

Archbishop of 78 years old has a vuvuzela too, and hits back at calls of having the African horns banned from the World Cup games. He says the instruments add an atmosphere to the party.

But the vuvuzelas will not be heard at the Wimbeldon tennis championship, starting next Monday. Officials banned them yesterday because the deafening noise will distract the players.

Reaction:
Is it fair to have the vuvuzela banned for the Wimbeldon tennis championship and not for the big World Cup games? Does it have to do with the fact that prince William has his opinion and influence about this matter in the tennis games? I do agree the vuvuzelas are the cultural instruments of the Africans and that they give a cheering atmosphere to the games, but is it convenient for the players and referees to play under such noisy circumstances? I think it’s also turned into big business. Every fan shop has atleast a few of these trumpets, and if possible in more than one colour. If I compare the pro’s and con’s, then yes I do agree that the vuvuzelas should be banned from the World Cup games 2010. Especially in the tensioned final games!

Link:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/royals/3017749/Wills-blast-with-little-zela-fella.html