One year to go before 2010 kicks off in SA

At exactly 4pm on 11 June 2010, Bafana Bafana will run onto the Soccer City pitch along with a yet-to-be-chosen team.

To celebrate the one-year mark, President Jacob Zuma, along with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and Local Organising Committee chairperson Danny Jordaan are touring the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town today.

The President will not only get a first-hand account of how construction of the stadium is progressing, but he is expected to put his soccer skills on display by participating in a symbolic kick-off at the arena.

President Zuma showed off his ball skills when he was presented with the Confederations Cup trophy in Parliament earlier this week.

Various world leaders, meeting at the World Economic Forum, will also mark the day with a series of panel discussions on the legacy of the tournament and its benefits to the African continent.

Get involved

All South Africans can get involved in marking the day by blowing a vuvuzela and singing the national anthem at 4pm. A five-minute count-down will begin at 3:55pm on radio stations across the country, to cue all citizens, wherever they are, to sing the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelele Afrika.

"This is an easy and fun way for us to let the world know that we are lighting the torch for the 2010 World Cup," said Paul Bannister, International Marketing Council of South Africa's chief executive.

He said it was also an act of national pride and support to our country as Africa's first host of this prestigious tournament

"We encourage every South African, whether you are in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Sydney, Toronto or London to join us as we mark an important milestone in our nation's history," Bannister said.

South Africa was named the host of 2010, after narrowly losing its bid to Germany for the 2006 tournament.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Dr Jordaan said on Wednesday they were confident South Africa will be ready on time for the event.

"I suggest that we work together to accept the reality that the World Cup is here, it is happening. Tickets are being sold and there is no Plan B," Dr Jordaan said.

Instrumental in bringing the tournament to South Africa, he said it was gratifying to see preparations fall into place as the Confederations Cup kicks off Sunday; the tournament is seen as a curtain raiser for next year's competition.

"It's been an incredible journey -a journey of hope, despair and then triumph," Dr Jordaan said.

The FIA Confederations Cup will kick off this Sunday at Ellis Park.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews