16 June,2010 02:06 PM IST | | Agencies
Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu has asked people to embrace African culture, and stop criticising noisy vuvuzela horns.
Thousands of people have complained about the noise that vuvuzela creates, which they claim diminishes the match day experience for fans in the stadiums and those watching at home, but World Cup organizers made it clear that it will not be banned from stadiums.
The legendary anti-apartheid campaigner hit back at calls to ban the controversial instruments from World Cup matches.
"The vuvuzela is part of our culture, we cannot separate them from the soccer fever," The Sun quoted Tutu, as saying.
Broadcasters, players and TV viewers have complained about the deafening drone of the plastic instruments. They can generate a noise of up to 144 decibels inside stadiums.
"Vuvuzelas are here to stay and will never be banned," said Rich Mkhondo, communications officer of the World Cup local organizing committee.
"Look at them as part of our culture in South Africa to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As our guests please embrace our culture, please embrace the way we celebrate. The history of the Vuvuzela is ingrained in South Africa," he added.
