海角大神

Welcome to your Daily. Today鈥檚 offerings include a conversation between three writers in our Washington bureau about the impeachment inquiry, a window into the protests in Lebanon, why a Kentucky election has national portent, lessons from France鈥檚 summer heat wave, and how a puppet festival has animated children and adults alike.聽

But first, let鈥檚 turn to a story about my country of origin.

As a child growing up in South Africa, Makazole Mapimpi walked 7 miles a day to get to school. During Saturday鈥檚 Rugby World Cup final, those powerful legs gave Mr. Mapimpi the torque of a cheetah as he helped a racially diverse, underdog South African team defeat England.聽

For South Africa, it鈥檚 more than a sports victory. It鈥檚 revived the fading colors of a 鈥渞ainbow nation鈥� beset by crime, corruption, unemployment, and violence against immigrants.聽

鈥淲e are not playing for ourselves anymore. We are playing for the people back home,鈥� said the team鈥檚 first black captain, Siya Kolisi.聽

The similarities to the 1995 Rugby World Cup 鈥� when Nelson Mandela famously encouraged racial unity by wearing the uniform of what was then a predominantly white sport 鈥� helped coach Rassie Erasmus see the game in a wider perspective.聽

鈥淚n South Africa pressure is not having a job. Pressure is one of your close relatives being murdered. South Africa has a lot of problems and we started talking about how rugby shouldn鈥檛 be something that puts pressure on you,鈥� said Mr. Erasmus. 鈥淚t should be something that creates hope.鈥�

For one weekend, people who disagree with each other put aside their differences to celebrate.

鈥淲e love you South Africa,鈥� said Mr. Kolisi. 鈥淲e can achieve anything if we work together as one.鈥�