REWIND
BY PRO PHILANI
Life was full of enjoyment in the 70s, 80s and 90s in central Durban, but more so when African Wanderers played their arch rivals, Usuthu. These two football clubs were traditional clubs formed by Zulu workers who moved to Durban to earn a better living. They were like the biblical story of Cain and Abel. One was loved by the kingdom, the other, unfortunately, not that much. Walking down West Street - the most popular street in Durban back in the day - conversations were erupting at traffic lights, traditions and bragging rights were explicitly maintained. And those in mines, busses, trains were nothing compared to what usually went down in West Street! ‘Traffic light talk’ was a way most men from northern KwaZuluNatal used to introduce to, or help their youngsters distinguish
SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA
A DERBY OF THE AGES
AFRICAN WANDERERS VS AMAZULU Usuthu from Abaqulusi. When the traffic light turned green, old men would scream out aloud “aluwele Usuthu” meaning those who are Usuthu followers should cross the road, as green matched Usuthu colours. When the traffic light turns red, “abawele Abaqulusi” those who follow Wanderers, should do likewise, as red was the colour of Abaulusi. Meaning of nicknames: Usuthu is a war cry, associated with the royal household of the Zulu empire. Abaqulusi
is a region in the north west of KwaZulu-Natal province. Abaqulusi can be loosely translated as ‘that [don’t sit, but] squat’. Of course, whenever African Wanderers were playing at Princess Magogo Stadium, Kings Park soccer stadium, King Zwelithini stadium or across the country, their fans were not allowed to sit down during matches. They were forced to squat for the entire 90 minutes. Anyone who sat would be accused of sitting on goals.
ISSUE 09
30
