World Cup debut in South Africa: the first time in more than 100-year history of FIFA has tuned a wild party in the host country on the kicker event.
Thousands of fans danced in colorful outfits and swaying left out in Soweto Orlando Stadium – the overture to the first World Cup on African soil. A drum performance triggered the appearance of local jazz legend Hugh Masekela, who shortly thereafter told Pop diva Lira in national colors adorned the stage. Both thrilled the crowd with a fast-paced version of “Patta Patta” – a worldwide hit, the end of 2008 had made the deceased musician and anti-apartheid activist Miriam Makeba world famous. As well as the “Queen of African music” West African singer Angélique Kidjo announced they praised it as their song “Malaika” devotion breathed into the microphone. With her colleagues voiced musician John Legend, they then brought the crowd with songs like “Move On Up” momentum.
The musical performances were punctuated by references to messages and education campaigns. Since the start of South Africa President Jacob Zuma and FIFA President Joseph Blatter had greeted the crowd. “FIFA is very proud to be in South Africa and I am very happy to be here today evening in Soweto. This is the real impetus of the World Cup, “Blatter said. Zuma said South Africa was merely the stage for an African World Cup. “Africa is showing the world that it is able, like any other region and to cope with any challenge,” he said.
Forgotten were the protests and calls for boycotts because of a supposedly low African participation in advance of the event. In addition to international superstars Shakira and Alicia Keys in particular African musicians were the focus of the World Cup kick-off concert. The singing duo Amadou and Mariam from Mali about. “Africa, Africa – solidarité; Africa, Africa – c’est la joie de vie” was their message: “Africa, Africa – Solidarity, Africa, Africa – this is joy.”
Keys had called before the concert, that in Africa the explanation of the immunodeficiency disease AIDS must be intensified. The pregnant American musician, said she was excited and glad to be here at this World Cup to.
The South African Archbishop and Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu welcomed World Cup fans from around the world in South Africa. “Africa is the cradle of humanity, inasmuch as we welcome you all back at home, all of you: German, French – wherever it comes from all,” he shouted into the microphone. His country owed the world thanks that they had helped to turn an ugly Made a beautiful butterfly, he said, alluding to the apartheid period.
“I dream – what” a wonderful dream, dressed in the colors of the national team Bafana Bafana Tutu said at the internationally-televised concert. He already knew who was in the final winner, he said – a little later to South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela cheered leave. Mandela played a major part in ensuring that South Africa can host the first World Cup on African soil.
The event took place just a few miles from the Soccer City Stadium, will be the kick off for a festive opening ceremony with about 1500 dancers, the first World Cup on African soil. After the collapse of a winter cold front in the high altitudes of the country’s first snowfall brought with it many fans with blankets, hats and scarves against the chill night in the stadium have prepared. Artists such as Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas were not deterred from it: despite the cold, the musician in her daring mini leg showed up to the waist.
