Soccer World Cup Stars Urge "Don't Shoot" in South Africa

South African World Cup stars Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena and Benni McCarthy have teamed up with the international movement against gun violence to promote a Gun-Free World Cup.

The Bafana Bafana internationals wore T-shirts designed by the British fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, with the slogan “Don’t Shoot”, in support of a campaign being run by IANSA (International Action Network on Small Arms) during the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, which runs from 10-16 May.

The campaign celebrates the fact that guns have been banned from football stadiums for the duration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Aaron Mokoena, who plays for Portsmouth FC in the English Premier League, said: “When I was growing up playing football, I always dreamed about playing for Bafana Bafana. To play for my country and be captain, particularly when the World Cup is being hosted on African soil, is a real honour. This is an opportunity to demonstrate to the world the beauty and diversity of our country. So let's be a united Africa and ensure that our country is safe. Let's support a gun-free World Cup.” 

Benni McCarthy, of West Ham United, said: "This World Cup will be the biggest in football history and the fact that it is taking place in South Africa is a chance for us to show the world everything that is good about our country. It’s great that guns will be banned from stadiums – it’s going to be a fantastic party, and guns have no place in that.”

Everton FC’s Steven Pienaar, who was raised in the Westbury area of Johannesburg, added: “I’ve had a few experiences with guns. I grew up in one of the rough neighbourhoods in Johannesburg so, for me, guns were just like a normal thing. But sport and football kept me focused, and that helped a lot.”

He added: “The IANSA Gun-Free World Cup campaign will help the young kids too, I hope, and will help to educate the people.” 

Launching the campaign in Johannesburg, IANSA’s Africa coordinator Joseph Dube said: “The fact that guns have been banned from football stadiums for the World Cup is great news. It would be a fitting legacy for Africa if the competing nations took encouragement from the South African example and worked to reduce gun violence in their own countries.”

Several international footballers have also voiced their support for the campaign. Carlos Tevez of Manchester City and Argentina, said: “When I was growing up in Fuerte Apache, Buenos Aires, I often heard gunshots at night, and I had to choose between following my dream and giving my all to football, or falling into a life of crime. Hopefully, the World Cup will inspire kids in South Africa in the same way. Guns have no place in sport, or in society. And if it’s possible to have a Gun-Free World Cup, why stop there?”

Tevez’s Manchester City teammates Gareth Barry (of England) and Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) also joined the campaign. Sol Bamba of Hibernian FC and Cote D’Ivoire said the World Cup should learn a lesson from the African Cup of Nations: “We should all work together to make sure the violence that threatened the African Cup of Nations is never repeated. Guns and football don't go together, and the World Cup is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate what is great about Africa. Here's to a positive, peaceful tournament!” For more information, see iansa.org/worldcup