There was certainly nothing lazy about this past Sunday in Johannesburg as South Africa’s largest city, and host of two 2010 FIFA World Cup™ stadiums, celebrated the 200 day countdown to 2010.
To mark the occasion, the City of Johannesburg sent out the Diski Striker vehicle with South African Soccer Legends – an organisation dedicated to maintaining the legacy of previous South African football legends – and the Diski Dancers to entertain residents all over the metropolis.
The convoy visited Nelson Mandela Square in the shopping district of Sandton, Zoo Lake park in Parkview and Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, trumpeting vuvuzelas through the city as it went.
Peter Hall, Head of the James Hall Museum of Transport, started the Diski Striker truck a year ago. “We wanted to help do something for the World Cup and we thought the Diski Striker was one way of doing that,” said Hall.
The Diski Striker vehicle is shaped like a football with a dung beetle perched on top, and was created by the City's department of community development and the James Hall Museum of Transport, as a learning tool ahead of 2010. The huge ball on the vehicle features many interesting and historical facts about the FIFA World Cup, from the “History of Football” to previous “World Cup Mascots”.
The Diski Striker will be involved in numerous activities counting down to the tournament next year. “For 150 days we will have a Mall Stamp, where we visit all the malls in Johannesburg, for the 100 days we will have a vuvuzela frenzy and for 50 days a float parade through the streets of Johannesburg,” explained Hall.
Hall has been very happy with the reception he and the Soccer Legends have received today. “I'm chuffed, the legends have been signing balls and mixing with the crowds, and people are really starting to get excited for the World Cup next year.”
Marke Soke, one of the Soccer Legends, has enjoyed the landmark occasion. “This has been one of the most entertaining days. Everyone is excited, looking for autographs and playing football. It's great.”
Soke was one of the few black players to play for South Africa during apartheid, and for him this is a dream come true. “We are so honoured to have the World Cup finally come to South Africa.”
Matsana Khutso and Lebepe Candy were two young men who were fortunate enough to receive footballs signed by all the Soccer Legends.
“This is so fine,” commented Candy on his ball, “This sort of thing is making me excited for the World Cup.”
For Khutso, 200 days really brings home the proximity of the big tournament. “I can't wait for 2010, the World Cup is going to bring so much, from infrastructure to employment. It is going to put South Africa on the map like never before.”