Farewell from the Rainbow Nation

For the past five weeks, I have tried to convey the benefits of touring South Africa, which include a variety of activities from game reserves to a multitude of sports

For the past five weeks, I have tried to convey the benefits of touring South Africa, which include a variety of activities from game reserves to a multitude of sports; the diverse and warm embrace of our various cultures, including the cuisine; the first class infrastructure that makes visiting SA a pleasant experience; and our willingness to learn from other people.

As an ambassador for my country, you would expect me to say such things. However, now that the DLF IPL 2009 version is a thing of the past, I am sure that there will be many more satisfied travelers, mainly from India, who will vouch for my positive point of view on the Rainbow Nation.

The Confed Cup is less than two weeks away now, and the British Lions have arrived on "springbok safari", and their rugby Tests are around the corner against the world champions. The protracted cricket season in South Africa has finally drawn to a dramatic conclusion, and the Deccan Chargers have been crowned IPL champions for 2009. Most of the teams were in the running for semi-final berths, but a few, including us Mumbai Indians, stumbled at the final hurdle, and were reduced to watching the final weekend from our respective homes around the world.

I believe that the success of the Deccan Chargers lay in the fact that their young Indian players certainly took responsibility with both bat and ball, and barring an explosive innings or two from Messers Gilchrist, Gibbs and Smith, their totals were achieved thanks to the local lads' efforts! This really augurs well for the future of Indian cricket, which is one of the main goals of the IPL.

South Africa has shown what they can host with just three weeks notice, and while the public lapped up all the exciting cricket, I am sure that there are a few event coordinators and ground staff who are thanking their lucky stars that the final curtain has been drawn on a rather demanding and hectic six weeks.

South African cricket can hold their heads up high, whether spectator or administrator, as the IPL was a huge success, both as a cricketing spectacle and as a much-needed boost to the South African economy in these rather bleak financial times.

Ngiyabonga, hamba kahle!u00a0 Thank you and go well!

This is the concluding column in a series by former cricketer and Mumbai Indian's fielding coach Jonty Rhodes that showcases his native South Africa through his eyes

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