Johannesburg - Celebrity DJ and entrepreneur Sbu "DJ Sbu" Leope has urged South African youth to epitomise the spirit Ubuntu during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which kicks-off in two weeks.
Leope was speaking during the "Fly the Flag for Football" campaign at the University of Johannesburg on Thursday.
The campaign is an initiative by the national government which is aimed at building public excitement, awareness and support leading up to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
DJ Sbu quizzed students about the definitions of Ubuntu and gave away T-shirts to students who answered best as judged by some 300 fellow students gathered at the campus.
"It is very important that when visitors come to our country for these [FIFA] events we rise up as the youth of South Africa and show the spirit of Ubuntu and warmth that our country is famous for," he said.
Leope educated students on how to buy tickets to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the importance of arriving on time for the match.
"If you are going to watch the game, you need to arrive at least two hours before kick-off to give yourself enough time to park your car and find your seat. It is very important that you sit on the seat that matches your ticket allocation to avoid disappointment, you cant just sit anywhere," said Leope.
Yesteryear soccer greats attending the campaign here also urged young people to help South Africa host the successful tournaments.
Hundreds of South African flags, FIFA Confederations Cup T-shirts, caps and information leaflets were distributed during the campaign.
Tickets to the Confederations Cup were also given away to students who could sing the South African National Anthem and answer correctly to questions about the event.
The day was filled with fun as students were treated to live music, dance and performances by a magician.
Thobela Busani - a first year student at the University of Johannesburg - is proud of South Africa's hosting of these major sporting events.
"I think it will be cool to host such great countries and I can't wait to be part of these historic happenings in our country," she said.
Preparations for the tournaments have accelerated government spending in key areas such as transport, which has received R9-billion.
A vastly improved public transport system is one of the legacies that South Africa will secure from the hosting of these events.
Thousands of jobs have already been created in industries such as construction, hospitality, safety and security and aviation in anticipation of the hundreds of thousands of tourists expected in South Africa.
The 2009 edition of the Confederations Cup will be hosted in four host cities of Tshwane (Loftus stadium), Johannesburg (Coca Cola Park), Bloemfontein (Mangaung Stadium) and Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace).
The "Fly the Flag for Football" campaign now moves to North West University in Mafikeng this weekend and will be at the Tshwane University of Technology on 3 - 4 June 2009.
