It has become a tradition for Friends of South Africa (FoSA) Nashville to compete in the city’s annual Cumberland River Dragon boat races. This year FoSA entered two boats, The Vuvuzela Sharks and the Vuvuzela Sparks, with a total of 40 paddlers and two drummers dressed in our best zebra attire.
It was a glorious September day in Nashville when the teams showed up to take on 30 other teams from across the nation. After several heats and a spectacular crash into the New York Police Department’s boat, the zebras made the crossing and lived to tell the tale and win bronze medals.
It takes an enormous amount of work and energy to pull it off year after year. Etienne Buckles, Vikki Woodard and Kobie Pretorius spearheaded this year’s effort. Kobie says: “We must commend every single paddler who joined the fun, giving their all on and off the water!
We also have the best supporters who came dressed in green and gold, with their vuvuzelas, proudly wearing their South African colours.
It truly is a day where our South African spirit shines brightly!” Springbok Deli was on hand to introduce the crowd to a bit of South African cuisine, ranging from boerewors rolls to melktert and koeksisters.
We must also thank our sponsors who helped make it all possible:
· Friends of South
Africa, Nashville
· Chord Real Estate
· US Farm Labor
· South African
Chamber of Commerce in the US
