On the eve of the soccer World Cup
Cape Town officially opened its World Cup celebrations today. The activities commenced at 2p.m. at the Fan Fest Park on the Grand Parade. The area apparently has a capacity to accommodate 15 000 people. No small wonder that at least double that number tried to gatecrash this party, leading to a stampede at approximately one hour after the concert began. As I write, I have not heard of any serious casualties. I sincerely hope that there is no repeat of this incident.
As the pleasant winter sun set, the cold air quickly took the warmth away and ushered in the cold Cape night. The planned activities for this night would mesmerise everyone who attended.
Three large screens on Adderley Street transmitted the concert. By 6p.m. at least five to ten thousand people had gathered around each of these screens. Most were mesmerised by the images on the screens, others danced in the streets in groups. The ubiquitous sound of the vuvuzela perpetually filled the air, mostly in desperate asynchrony with the music blaring out of the big screen sound systems. The populace of Cape Town and peoples from other parts of the world had gathered, many with their families in the streets of Cape Town.
The mayor of Cape Town accompanied by the Premier of the Western Cape Province stood on the balcony in the City Hall at approximately 7p.m. and performed the formalities to open the Cape Town celebrations. The world cup themed street lights were switched on shortly thereafter. The balcony overlooking the Grand Parade is now steeped in history of South Africa. Mr. Nelson Mandela addressed the people of Cape Town from that very same balcony on his release from 27 years of incarceration in 1990. This world cup is being staged in South Africa, in no small part attributable to the respect that he commands internationally. This world cup is or at least should be a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The celebrations culminated in a carnival street procession. The procession showcased elements of Cape Town life by the participants. The Cape minstrels, an integral part of any Cape celebrations were well represented in the procession. The atmosphere was exhilarating. The people partied without incident.
We now stand on the threshold of the 2010 soccer world cup, ready for kick off within the next 14 hours. The efforts of the past six years have come to fruition. At 4pm the first game between South Africa and Mexico is due to commence. A South African win shall engulf this nations’ people in celebrations that shall run into the approaching weekend. Frankly, there shall be no Saturday in a manner of speaking if Bafana Bafana wins tomorrow.
As the pleasant winter sun set, the cold air quickly took the warmth away and ushered in the cold Cape night. The planned activities for this night would mesmerise everyone who attended.
Three large screens on Adderley Street transmitted the concert. By 6p.m. at least five to ten thousand people had gathered around each of these screens. Most were mesmerised by the images on the screens, others danced in the streets in groups. The ubiquitous sound of the vuvuzela perpetually filled the air, mostly in desperate asynchrony with the music blaring out of the big screen sound systems. The populace of Cape Town and peoples from other parts of the world had gathered, many with their families in the streets of Cape Town.
The mayor of Cape Town accompanied by the Premier of the Western Cape Province stood on the balcony in the City Hall at approximately 7p.m. and performed the formalities to open the Cape Town celebrations. The world cup themed street lights were switched on shortly thereafter. The balcony overlooking the Grand Parade is now steeped in history of South Africa. Mr. Nelson Mandela addressed the people of Cape Town from that very same balcony on his release from 27 years of incarceration in 1990. This world cup is being staged in South Africa, in no small part attributable to the respect that he commands internationally. This world cup is or at least should be a tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The celebrations culminated in a carnival street procession. The procession showcased elements of Cape Town life by the participants. The Cape minstrels, an integral part of any Cape celebrations were well represented in the procession. The atmosphere was exhilarating. The people partied without incident.
We now stand on the threshold of the 2010 soccer world cup, ready for kick off within the next 14 hours. The efforts of the past six years have come to fruition. At 4pm the first game between South Africa and Mexico is due to commence. A South African win shall engulf this nations’ people in celebrations that shall run into the approaching weekend. Frankly, there shall be no Saturday in a manner of speaking if Bafana Bafana wins tomorrow.
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