I'm a South African, the vuvuzela is not part of any african culture, but more a part of south african local SOCCER culture. It has been blown for years at the national league games by spectators. The funny thing is, all these people are complaining and foreign countries are making a big issue about it, but being a south african, living in a host city, seeing thousands of foreign football fans each day, almost ALL of them have embraced it and have bought themselves a vuvuzela. Yes, i agree it can be irritating when watching a match on tv, but if you're in the stadium it adds so much to the atmsophere, and the proof is in all of the international visitors using them as well. I work in Cape Town CBD, and since the world cup has started, i have seen more foreigners with vuvuzelas than locals.
Its what makes our world cup unique!