Far From Home, Cameroonians Reflect on Life Amid World Cup

(HN, June 15, 2010) --- It's a chilly, normally quiet winter night in the Johannesburg suburb of Yeoville. A small community centre hidden behind the Main Street shops is bursting at the seams as Africans from many countries are glued to a TV monitor tracking the Ivory Coast vs Brazil World Cup match.Armstrong Lagoze found hope through sport - and South Africa

There is endless cheering, shouting, whistle-blowing and back-slapping as the bonhomie lights up the dark corners of a spartan meeting room.

The Cameroon community is one of the smaller African Diaspora communities in Johannesburg but many of them - like Armstrong Legoze - have made their mark here, by building successful businesses and establishing impressive networks.

Football, being the ultimate unifying sport, has brought dozens of Africans together tonight to cheer on teams from the continent. Even though many of the fans tonight are not from the Ivory Coast, any single cheer is obviously sparked by an Ivorian goal or deceptive move. Even though this is the first World Cup to take place on the African continent, teams from the region - including South Africa - have maintained a relatively low-key profile on the playing field.

The cheers tonight are often punctuated by the arrival of a steaming plate of rice and fish, expertly prepared by a small African canteen outside. Beer flows freely, as does the wafts of smoke from lit cigarettes.

When asked what attracted them to South Africa, many people in the Club Camerounais say opportunity - and many indeed seem to be leading productive lives, with no plans to return to Cameroon.

Legoze is a perfect example. Living and working here for more than a decade he has established a thriving business as a personal trainer for members of Johannesburg’s elite.

When asked what he misses about home, he says very little - except for the food. Even with a Master’s degree there was very little promise of work back in Cameroon, Legoze said.

What brings hope to the average Cameroonian? Of course soccer, Legoze replies. “Soccer is like a hope. It can help bring you out of poverty.

“You use soccer to come out of poverty because often times it is the only way. The beauty of the sport is you dont need any soccer boot, you don’t need a uniform, you don’t need nothing.”

---Reporting and photos by HUMNEWS in Johannesburg