FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 roadshow drums up Soweto support
Soweto commuters on the first real winter morning of the year were greeted yesterday by a convoy snaking its way along the roads of their neighbourhood. The reason was the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Ms Baleka Mbete, travelling, along with the heads of the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup LOC, to three separate shopping malls in the area to garner support for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off in 60 days time in South Africa.
Ms Mbete was there in her capacity as the Chairperson of Government’s 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee. This body comprises all the South African Government departments that have FIFA hosting guarantees for the 2010 World Cup. First stop was Bara Mall, where morning shoppers were surprised to see two busses pull up and upon investigation found the organisers to be distributing pamphlets with detailed information, including fixtures lists, as well as tournament T-shirts related to the upcoming event.
Next stop was Jabulani Mall, which looked relatively empty upon the convoy’s arrival. This changed within minutes however, as crowds swarmed to find out what was happening, and much to their surprise, got to see the Deputy President and Dr Danny Jordaan playing vuvuzelas from the top of an open-top bus. A quick poll of the folks who had turned out to investigate revealed a good state of awareness regarding the tournament, with not one person queried by this reporter not being aware of the upcoming tournament. Their main concern rather stemmed from the cost of the tickets being a bit of a worry for them. However, all planned to attend the matches if possible.
Upon departure, the convoy then headed for Maponya Mall, where once again, pamphlets and T-shirts were handed out. The Deputy President, accompanied by Danny Jordaan, Irvin Khoza, Lucas Radebe, and others involved in the event organisation, then went into the local FNB to do a mock application for tickets for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, demonstrating to the media the procedure involved.
The group then made their way, in a procession, inside the mall, where the key figures of the day were treated to a demonstration of traditional dance, before addressing the gathered crowd, giving more information on the tournament and once again encouraging the public to support the event.
Finally the day’s travels were over, and a jubilant group boarded the busses for the trip back to SAFA House after a successful awareness drive. The morning’s success was summed up perfectly on the drive back, when as the bus made its way through a residential neighbourhood, a lone young girl of no more than six or seven years of age smiled at the convoy and cheerfully shouted “Woza 2010!”
Ms Mbete was there in her capacity as the Chairperson of Government’s 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee. This body comprises all the South African Government departments that have FIFA hosting guarantees for the 2010 World Cup. First stop was Bara Mall, where morning shoppers were surprised to see two busses pull up and upon investigation found the organisers to be distributing pamphlets with detailed information, including fixtures lists, as well as tournament T-shirts related to the upcoming event.
Next stop was Jabulani Mall, which looked relatively empty upon the convoy’s arrival. This changed within minutes however, as crowds swarmed to find out what was happening, and much to their surprise, got to see the Deputy President and Dr Danny Jordaan playing vuvuzelas from the top of an open-top bus. A quick poll of the folks who had turned out to investigate revealed a good state of awareness regarding the tournament, with not one person queried by this reporter not being aware of the upcoming tournament. Their main concern rather stemmed from the cost of the tickets being a bit of a worry for them. However, all planned to attend the matches if possible.
Upon departure, the convoy then headed for Maponya Mall, where once again, pamphlets and T-shirts were handed out. The Deputy President, accompanied by Danny Jordaan, Irvin Khoza, Lucas Radebe, and others involved in the event organisation, then went into the local FNB to do a mock application for tickets for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, demonstrating to the media the procedure involved.
The group then made their way, in a procession, inside the mall, where the key figures of the day were treated to a demonstration of traditional dance, before addressing the gathered crowd, giving more information on the tournament and once again encouraging the public to support the event.
Finally the day’s travels were over, and a jubilant group boarded the busses for the trip back to SAFA House after a successful awareness drive. The morning’s success was summed up perfectly on the drive back, when as the bus made its way through a residential neighbourhood, a lone young girl of no more than six or seven years of age smiled at the convoy and cheerfully shouted “Woza 2010!”
”Coupled with the IPL Cricket beginning on 18 April, the British Lions Rugby Tour kicking off on 30 May and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, South Africa is certainly the favour of the year as far as top level sporting events are concerned,” notes Robert Wilson. CEO of travelinsouthafrica.net . “Fans would be well advised to sort out their travel and accommodation soon,” he said
by Stuart Alderson-Smith
