The 'strange, anomalous, anachronistic' Commonwealth Games

Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow, Scotland, serves as a potent symbol of solidarity and defiance against the apartheid regime. Renamed in 1986 while Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned on Robben Island, the street forced the South African consulate, operating under the National Party, to confront the name of one of its staunchest opponents daily. The consulate eventually relocated in the early 1990s.

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It's just a square.

Mandela himself visited Glasgow in 1993 to thank its citizens for their unwavering support during his struggle. He acknowledged the city's role in symbolically declaring freedom for South Africans when they were denied it in their homeland. This act of solidarity resonates deeply with Scotland's historical identity, often characterized by a strong anti-oppression stance.

The article delves into Scotland's complex relationship with its neighbor, England, particularly highlighting a sentiment of "Anyone but England" (ABE) that surfaces in various contexts, notably in sports. Tennis star Andy Murray famously declared his support for "Anyone but England" during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, reflecting a broader cultural undercurrent.

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While we were physically denied our freedom in the country of our birth, a city 6,000 miles away, and as renowned as Glasgow, refused to accept the legitimacy of the apartheid system, and declared us to be free.

This sentiment was also evident during recent sporting events, such as the Ashes cricket series and the World Cup, where collective glee was derived from England's failures. The piece suggests that while the British Empire has waned, this underlying rivalry and the satisfaction found in England's setbacks persist, intertwining with Scotland's own historical narrative and identity.

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Anyone but England.