WORLD CUP DIARY D-2

This day shall be added to the list of special days that South Africans have experienced in the last eighteen years. The city centres hosting the various soccer matches were awash with colour, mostly gold and green, the official colours of Bafana Bafana, the soccer team of host nation South Africa. The team paraded through the streets of Sandton, the business hub of South Africa. People in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and the other centres hosting world cup games took to the streets in a display of support for the national soccer team.

The sound of the vuvuzela drowned out any and all competing sounds. The vuvuzela is also described as a "horn", but resembles a pipe instrument.This secret weapon of the South African team has not only been adopted by the locals, but seems to be a prized possession of overseas tourists as well. I foresee it and the noise that it makes, as opposed to any soothing musical tone, becoming synonymous with the world cup in South Africa.

The effort invested in years of preparation is about to be realised. Tomorrow, d-day minus one sees South Africa host the pre-opening events. The highlight is the official musical event at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. International artists shall perform at this venue which is a stone's throw away from the original homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, homes that they occupied in the days of apartheid.

Cape Town is hosting its own pre-opening party at the city's Grand Parade which has been converted to a fan fest park. The city shall switch on the themed lights in Adderley Street, the main street of Cape Town. The Cape minstrels, a Cape Town landmark are due to perform during these celebrations. The people of Cape Town and tourists visiting our shores can expect ecstatic local celebrations.

Walking in the streets of Cape Town today was something very special.

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