N West ready and eager for 2010 countdown

Monday, March 1, 2010

Rustenburg - Excitement is mounting in the North West and countrywide ahead of 100-days count down to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Activities are being planned countrywide for the event which will take place on Tuesday.

In the North West, citizens will gather at the Moruleng Stadium to celebrate the day and the build up to the 2010 spectacular.

Provincial spokesperson for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Baabua Thukubi, urged residents to come out in their numbers in Bafana jerseys and celebrate the day by flying the national flag high.

"This is a day in which South Africans should clad in their Bafana Bafana jerseys and regalia with one voice and sing the national anthem, raise flags, perform the Diski dance in anticipation of an event that will blow soccer history books away," she said.

Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela and traditional leader of Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela, Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, will lead a parade from the tribal offices to the Moruleng stadium.

Later in the day, community members will take part in various activities, including teaching communities the Diski dance, soccer matches as well as live performances by famous artists like Tuks Senganga, KB and Rhythmic Elements.

One of the residents, Lerato Mokwele from Phokeng village in Rustenburg said: "I will be blowing my vuvuzela and wearing my Bafana Bafana jersey tomorrow as I join the parade to the stadium."

Mokwele said all South Africans must take pride in celebrating the world cup. "This is our chance to market our country and promote every good thing in it," she said.

Local businessman, Solomon Dintlha said the world cup will boost his craft business tremendously. "I have already designed souvenirs for our visitors. This will boost the economy of our province and the country as a whole."

The celebration is organised by the North West Department of Economic Development and Tourism through its agency, North West Parks and Tourism Board among other stakeholders.