Nike changed their well-known slogan from Just do it to Joost do it on the sports icon's 43nd birthday.
Normally that sort of tribute would mean you have made it. In his case, it was a way of saying thank you for still being with us.
I saw Glory Game - The Joost van der Westhuizen Story at DIFF yesterday and its a masterpiece.
The cinema was almost empty with a couple of die hard fans. I find that shocking as people apparently don't pay to see documentaries. If they only knew what they miss out on.
I expected a sad film which focuses more on his fight with ALS and was surprised to see a film of hope, humour and solidarity. I cried the entire film and laughed through my tears every time the star cracked a joke. How can you not laugh when he said his son said he has to first fetch his toys at his house when he told them he may die soon?
It is incredibly sad to see a sports icon confined to a wheelchair and finding it difficult to speak when you remember him almost god-like and adored by a nation. I didn't know he played in the Rugby World Cup final with a broken rib and he broke his nose 16 times in his career!
According to the director, the latest on Joost is that he cannot talk anymore.
Those who don't know who he is, will find the human story gripping. Those who know he is the best scrumhalf of all time and captained the Springboks and Blue Bulls, will burst with pride and marvel at his will to live.
If you are in Durban, you can catch another screening at the Sneddon Theatre on 26 July. The film will be released in SA for one week only on 21 August.
* Tomorrow i'll see a French/Israeli film called The Kindergarten Teacher which is about a teacher's support for a child with a love for poetry and Dealer, a Canadian film about the world of drugs.
