Vuvuzela South Africa

Yesterday, Cape Town mayor Dan Plato and Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, Dr Danny Jordaan,  signed the service level agreement for Cape Town to host the tournament’s Final Draw at the Cape Town International Convention Center on 4 December this year.

Final 2010 World Cup Draw

The Draw, which is expected to be broadcast in almost 200 countries and attended by about 2 000 guests and around 800 media representatives, will determine the match order for the world’s top 32 teams who will contest Africa’s first FIFA World Cup from 11 June to 11 July 2010.

Danny Jodaan at the Port Eliabeth Stadium

World Cup Match Ball

Jordaan said that South Africa was looking forward to the draw as we would then know where all the teams would be playing. He also added that the official 2010 Soccer Ball ball would be revealed at that occasion.

According to Business Day, to date, 800000 of the 3,2-million World Cup tickets have been sold, with 240000 snapped up by South Africans, 57000 sold in the US and 27000 in Australia. Not many tickets have been sold in the rest of Africa, although Ghana is an exception.

Jordaan was confident all the tickets would be sold, despite some concerns over what was perceived to be a poor turnout at this year’s Confederations Cup. Contrary to popular belief, ticket sales at the Confederations Cup were the third-highest in history, he said

“There is no doubt that we will sell out all the tickets. I expect a spike in ticket sales from different locations as more teams qualify. Once Brazil and Mexico qualify, the tickets will disappear. But if you still want to buy tickets for the opening and final matches, then you are in trouble,” he said.

Of the 2-million tickets left, many have been reserved for Fifa’s commercial partners and guests.

Pic of Danny Jordaan – www.shine2010.co.za

Popularity: 12% [?]

As the pre-season draws to an end,  the main South African teams have revealed their new 2009/10 kit. Let’s take a look at Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and  Mamelodi Sundowns.  New Kit is a big thing, not only for the teams but also for the fans. I agree with Calvin from FOOTBALLfever who says:

“Last night I blogged about how South African clubs fail to brew some kind of hype around their new kits, hence the difference in quality compared to what the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal get.”

Kaizer Chiefs New Team Kit

Kaizer Chiefs New Kit

Amakhozi revealed their new kit. Nike Launched Kaizer Chiefs team kit for 2009/2010 season. The Glamour Boys’ new home and away kits will continue to be a desired item, capable of inspiring, joyful and brilliant football both on and off-field.

Orlando Pirates New Kit

Adidas South Africa launched the new Orlando Pirates range at Durban City Hall on Friday, July 14.

The apparel features innovative ClimaCool® technology, a dynamic ventilation and moisture management system geared to keep players cool, dry and comfortable.

According to the Bucs’ website,   The Adidas Orlando Pirates partnership goes beyond the field of play. Our supporters – who are snazzy dressers, conscious of

what they wear – have in Adidas found apparel in keeping with the famous saying: You are what you wear” said Orlando Pirates Chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza

Orlando Pirates New Kit - Skull and Crossbones Detail on the Back

The range consists of two new designs: the home jersey (black/white) and the away jersey (white/black). Bucs’ red jersey has been carried over from last season and will be used as an alternative jersey. A Tiro design has been adapted for this new range to reflect the tradition of the Soweto giants by emphasising the famous skull and crossbones, which is emblazoned onto the back.

“From now on wherever our supporters go, they will have 72 years of Pirates history and heritage accompanying them every step of the way,” says Pirates marketing manager Nkosana Khoza.

Sundowns New Team Kit

Mamelodi Sundowns

The Brazilians went with Nike and unveiled their new 2009/2010 Mamelodi Sundowns football kit at the club’s headquarters in Chloorkop, Midrand. The new home and away kit was presented by the club’s renowned players including captain Esrom Nyandoro, Siboniso Gaxa, Matthew Booth and Robyn Johannes in a locker-room setting.

While incorporating Nike’s modern innovative technologies, the most prominent feature of the kit is its striking design in the tonal stripe.

Orlando Pirates pic – Footballshirtculture.com

Popularity: 56% [?]

Well what we really mean is that the Durban Beachfront Upgrade will be ready for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, but is sounds like it is going to be so great, it will be enjoyed by residents and holidaymakers alike for many years to come.

Durban Beachfront Upgrade

I’ve been hearing stories of this Durban Beachfront Upgrade for ages, and have now seen the first comprehensive story in plain English – I don’t speak “town planning” and get a bit squint when I hear about nodes and interfaces, but  the story is plain and simple -

Umlazi Fieldband at the Durban Amphimarket Fleamarket on the Beachfront

We have eight kilometers of beach from the harbour to the Blue Lagoon  in Durban and this revamp is going to remove all the structures and buildings that interfere with making it a smooth, clear and beautiful stretch of beachfront.

Sure there are some casualties and some people are whining once again about this and about that – as they are wont to do, but there is no doubt in my mind that the only way to get this job done is an integrated plan and to do it one-time – like it is being done now.

I think I can even cope with the nodes. Anything for the 2010 World Cup!

As Julie May Ellingson,head of strategic projects and 2010 planning at the eThekwini Municipality told IOL:

“We have 8km of amazing shoreline and we must use it to its full potential. For that we need a decent promenade with activity nodes about every 300m all the way along.”

I am happy that they are going to remove the toilets at bottom of the Amphimarket and open it up to the beach

“The bathrooms under the big bank at the Amphitheatre will be demolished. There will be new ablution blocks at the skate park with a deck and skate shop which will have direct interface with another restaurant node.” says Ellingson

I just hope they have thought about what happens when the wind blows off the sea – those big mounds over the toilets create a wonderful sheltered  area where the Amphimarket Flea Market takes place on Sundays as it has for the past 25 years.

So Roll on Durban Beachfront Upgrade – We will be ready for the visitors when the 2010 World Cup comes along.

Popularity: 40% [?]

The first clue one gets that Fred Hatman – diagnosed as SA- Positive – like the Vuvuzela is the pictures of a man in a hat blowing a Vuvuzela on the banner of his blog – I guess that’s Fred…

Well his post Viva Vuvu

It’s not often I say PE (Port Elizabeth, South Africa for my Kazakhstan readers) is the place to be. It is tomorrow. But perhaps not for the elitists who want to take over our 2010 World Cup with their poncy “kuduzelas”…

This was obviously written on the eve of the great Vuvuzela Guinness Book of Records attempt. And I just so totally agree with him about the kuduzelas being poncy, although  I’m not quite sure that that is quite the right word for them, I’m sure I’ll think of a better one.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Buy your own Vuvuzela. Ok, so you’ve heard all about the vuvuzela and you want to own one – you wonder where can you buy a vuvuzela online.

I have a feeling that as we get closer to the 2010 World Cup more Vuvuzela shops are going to appear,  and I’ll be happy to list them as they contact us so that people can get a good look at what’s on offer when shopping for vuvuzelas.

A Vuvuzela is a stadium horn, a long plastic trumpet that South African soccer fans use to create atmosphere and to inspire their football players.

Here area few places you can look if you want to buy a vuvuzela online:

Buy Fifa 2010 Vuvuzela Online

Vuvuzela – The official Fifa 2010 Stadium Horn

“There’s no doubt that the 2010 games are going to make the vuvuzela known worldwide and there’s no doubt that it will be in almost every home in the world.

Are you an Italy fan? Would you like your vuvuzela to be green white and red? or maybe you’re a France fan and your vuvuzela will be red white and blue, in anyway get ready for the 2010 games and get your vuvuzela so you can make some noise for your favorite soccer team.”

Buy Vuvuzelas in Bulk

This company supplies Vuvuzelas in bulk worldwide in any colors, minimum RSA orders 50 units.

Boogieblast

The Boogieblast – “Vuvuzela” is a plastic musical instrument, which has now become infamous around the world. It is used mostly at all sporting events or just for a good time.

Boogieblast Vuvuzelas are made in all the colours of the SA Flag that is Red Blue Green Yellow Black White. Specific colours can be made to order. They can only be one colour only however you are able to print on the Vuvuzela.

Picture of the Vuvuzela’s above: Frank ten Dolle

Avuvu - Home of the Vuvuzela

Avuvu – Home of the Vuvuzela

When all is said and done, there is Avuvu, Home of the Vuvuzela, that sells vuvus online. The say they deliver anywhere in the world and claim to be the easiest place to buy your vuvuzelas – only $17.99.

The owners of this website encountered the Vuvuzela during the Confederations Cup:

“Since we launched the site, we have taken orders from every continent and have been sending the Vuvuzela to places we have never even heard of. We realized that not only is the Vuvuzela the official symbol and sound of the 2010 World Cup, but is now the International Football symbol and sound. Since we launched the site, we have taken orders from every continent and have been sending the Vuvuzela to places we have never even heard of. We realized that not only is the Vuvuzela the official symbol and sound of the 2010 World Cup, but is now the International Football symbol and sound.

Popularity: 100% [?]