I don't know if any of you have been affected but I certainly was.

On Friday, we became aware of companies shutting down at 1pm sharp i.e. working 1/2 day. From around Tuesday we received notifications from clients and a handful of suppliers that they would be closing early on Friday afternoon. Despite that fucking trumpet aka vuvuzela being blown in our street at the office, making an annoying racket, we noticed basically the entire street close shop at lunchtime.

My question is, has any of these simpletons though about the consequences on the SA economy of their "bold move".
We were due to receive PC board shipments today here, and guess what, so much for "24 hour delivery" we were told by the manufacturer "Sorry sir, we closed on Friday afternoon"

It is quite apparent that a lot of the local oxygen thieves are using this World Cup as the ideal opportunity to loaf and do as little work as possible.

What are your views?

There were some press releases by some business association and a trade union requesting employers to allow their workers to leave at lunchtime on Friday that I read on News24 last week.

If it's for the opening ceremony and opening game in which Bafana did really well I don't have a problem with it.
As long as it does not become a regular occurrence during other important matches in the tournament.

In the meantime I'm thoroughly enjoying the tournament thus far. 
The Vuvuzela on the other hand... 

I totally understand your situation Jason.

The other issue which did cross my mind is whether the world cup, especially matches involving SA would lead to increased absenteeism.
This would apply even more so to the opening match.

The vuvuzela should be banned from World Cup stadiums.
It's bloody annoying and totally detracts from the games.

You can't hear when the crowd is excited or hushed.
There is no difference when a team scores a goal or whether there is a break in play with nothing happening.
It's just an endless mindless drone that's so loud you can hardly even hear the commentators.

The world cup may be hosted in South Africa but it does not belong to us. There are 32 Nations taking part.
In general there has been a huge amount of negative publicity re. the vuvuzela and a number of international players have also condemned it.

The potential for hearing damage has also been discussed at length in the media.
One of the most idiotic (but probably necessary due to the Vuvuzela) suggestions is to take along ear plugs, especially if you are taking your kids with you to watch a match.
Seriously!!? The thing is making so much noise that you need earplugs just to watch a match at the ground live and FIFA allows it?

I don't care that it's a so called African Soccer tradition. This is the premier international Soccer event in the world and spectators, both at the grounds and at home should be able to enjoy the game.

What a difference to watch the Springbok test last Saturday at Newlands where the vuvuzela is banned.
You could hear the crowd gasping, cheering, voicing their disapproval, singing and applauding.
It enhanced the viewing experience rather than detracting from it.

PS - There is one person that blows a vuvuzela occasionally that I can hear from where I live.
That person can just be bloody lucky that (from the sound of it) they live quite a distance from me and the sound is very muted by the time it reaches me.
If it was one of my neighbors I would have made an effort to go over there and have very strong words already. How their neighbors live with it I have no idea .