Background

By hosting the 2010 World Soccer Cup, South Africa has given the world the VUVUZELA. Its use has elicited widely ranging responses from the billions of people who witnessed this extraordinary event. Three major viewpoints have emerged ; those who love it, those who like and tolerate it and those who hate it with a passion. While such differences are to be expected, we should not forget their inherent potential for unification or alienation. The overwhelming spirit of goodwill, commitment and excitement had powerful unifying and integrating effects. Unfortunately the chaotic noise of the vuvuzela angered and alienated huge numbers of people all over the world. A divided nation is always in a state of dis-ease and the apartheid system achieved this with ruthless efficiency. In 1994 South Africans under the leadership of Nelson Mandela consciously decided to take the high road and to build a unified, rainbow nation. The World Cup has showcased to the world just how far we have come along this road less travelled.

As a nation we have proudly demonstrated our ability and commitment to overcome huge social, cultural and racial diversity. We now have another opportunity to turn chaos into order and confusion into clarity and counter the alienation and resentment that our controversial national icon the vuvuzela has set in motion.

THE SOLUTION

Many years ago John Lennon's famous song IMAGINE, invited us to consider new and better ways to live, love and learn more harmoniously, peacefully and productively. The Rainbow Nation gave our country the precious gift of peace and in a similar way, the RAINBOW VUVUZELA offers us the harmony and unity of co-created music and song in our stadiums. This will enable us as passionate South Africans to hold our heads high and rightfully reclaim our proud African musical tradition and reputation.

Dr Bruce Copley, pioneer of corporate drumming in South Africa, has made an exciting discovery that transforms the Vuvuzela into a sweet sounding multi-noted musical instrument. This revolutionary discovery - a world first - offers a simple, creative and effective solution to the controversial white noise produced by the Vuvuzela. With a few simple techniques, a little practice and without instrument modification any Vuvuzela enthusiast can learn to play the RAINBOW VUVUZELA producing multiple trumpet notes, a delightful range of sweet sounding African Penny Whistle notes and tunes, use it as a megaphone to amplify singing and whistling sounds, create simple rhythms and riffs and even play conventional tunes such as our national anthem, amazing grace, sweet chariot, etc. ... see links below.

What needs to change is not the vuvuzela but the player and this is exactly what the Rainbow Vuvuzela demonstrates so sweetly and simply.

Neil van Schalkwyk, the father of the Vuvuzela he introduced to South Africa in 1998, has this to say about the Rainbow Vuvuzela:

'You have done fantastic work developing the Rainbow Vuvuzela and have come up with a solution to create sweet music with it... traditional football supporters have only known one way of blowing the Vuvuzela...we look forward to working with you in taking the Vuvuzela to a new level through the beautiful music it will now create... considering the potential impact your revolutionary method will have, I see the rest of the world embracing our culture for years to come'

Students from the Muizenberg High school have been tutored by Bruce Copley, Jamie Cloete and Barbara Kennedy and have formed the Rainbow Vuvuzela Ensemble. They are producing sweet music, sounds, songs and rhythms using conventional vuvuzela's and have received wide media attention and coverage including German, South Korean and South African National television broadcasts. They were invited to play Happy Birthday and the National Anthem through the Rainbow Vuvuzela on Robben Island to Nelson Mandela to celebrate his 92nd birthday. They were also featured on the official Sony 2010 World Soccer Cup website - see link below:

RAINBOW VUVUZELA VIDEO CLIP LINKS

Official Sony 2010 World Soccer Cup Website Video:

Comment: The Rainbow Vuvuzela ensemble comprising students from the Muizenberg High school and featured in this clip are now after only a few hours practice, producing sweet music, sounds, songs, rhythms and dances. Their first public performance was at the AfriOceans Warriors Conference in Cape Town on 6 May 2010. They will also be showcased on ARD German television, South Korean National television and featured in the popular SABC 2 Rainbow Rhythm series.

Comment: In this clip Dr Bruce Copley demonstrates the large variety of sweet sounds that can be produced with a conventional Vuvuzela.

A QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE CONSIDERED: WHY WOULD SOCCER FANS WANT TO PLAY THE VUVUZELA DIFFERENTLY ?

Virtually all soccer fans are under the mistaken impression that they can only produce a single, loud note on their Vuvuzela's with the only variables being volume and rhythm. This is akin to a driver who uses only the first gear of his car because he does not know others are available.

A growing number of players including Neil van Schalkwyk the father of the Vuvuzela, share our view that the Vuvuzela is only being played as a single note instrument because fans do not know what is possible with some simple techniques and a little practice. It is our contention that with few exceptions, human beings will always prefer to produce or listen to melodious music rather than to only play or listen to white noise. We are confident that when the millions of Vuvuzela fans in South Africa and abroad become aware of the sweet sounds, riffs and music possible with the Vuvuzela, many of them will take up the challenge and begin this much needed musical transformation.

Unfortunately the Rainbow Vuvuzela discovery was only made very recently so it is unlikely to feature prominently in our stadiums during the world cup. Hopefully in the future SA Soccer officials will take note of this very significant discovery and provide opportunities for the millions of passionate soccer fans to be introduced to the Rainbow Vuvuzela.