AN atmosphere of glitz and glamour has enveloped South Africa as the 2010 edition of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) World Cup kicks off this afternoon at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium with an opening match between host (Bafana Bafana) and Mexico.
Before the opening match at 1400hrs, a colorful, energetic and distinctly African musical fashion will be watched live by millions of viewers in 215 countries. This is the first time the FIFA World Cup is taking place on African soil.
Some African leaders as well as prominent persons in various fields are expected in the former apartheid enclave for the month-long (June-July) fiesta. The South African government has invited President Goodluck Jonathan and Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua (for the opening and closing prayers) to the event while Afro-Beat music star Femi Kuti will perform the famous Bang, Bang, Bang track.
Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole who is part of the Nigerian contingent has implored the country’s national team (Super Eagles) to lift its game as it confronts two-time winner Argentina tomorrow in its first group match. Greece and South Korea are the other members of the group.
Oshiomhole said the Super Eagles should be undaunted as they face one of the most difficult challenges at the group stage, praying that the spirit and support of millions of soccer loving Nigerians would definitely inspire them to victory.
“With a can do spirit, the Super Eagles should arise and conquer,” he added.
The 30-minute ceremony, with its cast of 1,581 world-class artists, dancers, musicians and performers will reflect Africa’s proud cultural heritage and showcase the significant infrastructural and technological progress the continent has made.
It will include Africa’s rich artistic talent, established and emerging, as well as some exciting new performers.
Multiple Grammy Award winner, R Kelly, will sing the ceremony’s showpiece song, Sign of a Victory with South Africa’s Soweto Spiritual Singers.
The rest of the world-class line-up for the opening ceremony also features celebrated South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Algerian Afro-pop artist Khaled, legendary Ghanaian band Osibisa, as well as top-class South African artists Thandiswa Mazwai, Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), TKZee and vocalist Timothy Moloi.
The theme of the ceremony is: “Welcoming the World Home” and is produced for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) by the VWV TILL DAWN Consortium, comprising the VWV Group and Till Dawn Entertainment.
The consortium, which successfully staged the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, will also produce the tournament’s closing ceremony for the OC on July 11, 2010.
The country of nearly 50 million has gone soccer crazy with thousands of fans wrapped in flags and tooting Vuvuzela horns dancing on the streets, as they welcome visitors to Johannesburg.
South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Kirsten Nematandani, expressed thanks for the support given to his country to stage the World Cup.
The Bafana Bafana will also face 1998 world champion France and Uruguay in Group A.
The country’s President Jacob Zuma has dedicated the tournament to freedom hero, Dr. Nelson Mandela.
Speaking to the players ahead of a training session during the week Zuma said he hoped the team was “in combat mode" and aiming to win the tournament.
“The Cup has landed in Africa for the first time and it landed in South Africa," Zuma said. "It should stay here."
Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Danny Jordaan, says today’s opening ceremony would be a real African celebration of joy, life and energy.
On his part, South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana said: “I believe the Opening Ceremony is going to be a super showpiece of the very best of African arts, culture, song and dance. There will be a full representation of South African artists and artists from Africa, especially from the participating six-pack nations representing Africa at the tournament.”

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