Pretoria- Government will soon launch a programme to thank South Africans for the role they played in making the World Cup successful.

"When we won the rights to host the World Cup, we knew that working together we would be able to succeed. However, what has happened so far has exceeded our expectations. That is because of the role played by our people, the South Africans," he said.

He said South Africans were the stars and champions of the tournament and that their excitement and passion kept the showpiece alive.

"We thank you for embracing one another and Africa. We thank your opening up your country and your hearts to the world in a most patriotic and memorable manner. We thank you for your unwavering support for Bafana Bafana. You stood by the team until the end.

"When they bowed out in style in Bloemfontein, like good hosts, you redirected your support to other teams. We thank you most sincerely for making this a truly African World Cup. The committed support given to Ghana and other African teams displayed African unity, love and solidarity in practice," President Zuma said, adding that South Africans should pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

He said the committed support given to Ghana and other African teams displayed African unity, love and solidarity in practice.

He said: "Let us keep celebrating, let the vuvuzelas keep blowing and let the football festival continue at Soccer City and the fan parks until the final whistle. This has been a truly inspiring, moving and uplifting month. Well done South Africa."

Source: BuaNews   

Pretoria- The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is set to be a colourful, celebratory tribute to the tournament, the fans and their experiences in the host country.

The 30-minute ceremony will take place at 18:30 tonight, at Soccer City Stadium - ahead of the showpiece final between Spain and the Netherlands- and will feature some spectacular performances and unique special effects.

It will be broadcast live in 215 countries to an audience in excess of 500-million viewers and will feature 780 cast members and some of South Africa and Africa's top musicians and dancers.

Columbian pop star Shakira will feature at her second successive FIFA World Cup closing ceremony, performing the hit song "Waka Waka" with South Africa's Freshlyground.

The catchy song has topped the global music charts in 15 countries and was the most watched video on the internet in the month of June, with over 83 million hits on You Tube to date.

Other artists at the ceremony include multiple Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jozi, Stoan Seate, Slikour, Zuluboy, Abigail Kubeka, Theo Kgosinkwe, Afrikaans artists Nianell and flutist Wouter, Nigeria's 2Face, Ghana's Samini and popular local traditional group Ihashi Elimhlophe.

The closing ceremony starts at 18:30 and spectators have been urged to be seated by 18:00 in order to be part of the historic closing ceremony of Africa's first FIFA World Cup.

The commercial display areas at Soccer City will be fully operational from 14:00 today and will offer a variety of fun-filled activities for early fans, with a number of transport options available from the City of Johannesburg.

The Soccer City stadium gates will open at 14:30, six hours before kick-off of the final at 20:30.

Source: BuaNews