HE is young, energetic and sports a trendy hairstyle and cute tail. He also likes juggling a soccer ball - meet Zakumi, the official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Zakumi, a leopard, was unveiled at the SABC building in Auckland Park in a ceremony attended by the chief executive of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC), Danny Jordaan; FIFA officials; and sports celebrities on Monday, 22 September.

Zakumi's name was a composition of "ZA", which stood for South Africa, and "kumi", which translated into "10" in various African languages, said Jordaan.

"Zakumi is a proud South African and, as such, an ideal ambassador for the first African World Cup. He was born in 1994, the same year as the country's democracy. He is young, energetic, smart and ambitious, a real inspiration for young and old."

FIFA's secretary-general, Jerome Valcke, was equally impressed by the green-haired Zakumi.

"Zakumi represents the people, geography and spirit of South Africa, personifying in essence the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. We are certain we will have a lot of fun with him in the lead-up to and during the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup," he said.

Creator
Created by Andries Odendaal from Cape Town, Zakumi's costume was produced by Cora Simpson of Cora's Costumes in Boksburg. The company has made thousands of costumes for people and events across the globe, including for well-loved walkabout characters like Simba the Lion and Dazzler, the mascot for the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

International football star Lucas Radebe, who is a World Cup ambassador, has spent the last few days with Zakumi - and he said the leopard was extremely proud to be the tournament's official mascot.

"He is determined to be the best host possible for all fans visiting our beloved country of South Africa. I am sure he will be a great animator for fans and players as well as for all of us small and grown up kids."

Zakumi, who was too excited to say a word during his official unveiling, did have something to say in a statement released to all his fans.

Handsome fella
"I know I am a cute and handsome fella so I don't think I need to say any more about that. You know, us leopards are beautiful animals to start with but my green hairdo gives me the edge over my fellow cats. I'm sure I don't have to explain to you why I dyed my hair green ... it's the perfect camouflage on the football pitch!"

He added that he was looking forward to the spectacular football tournament in 2010.

"All fans around the world travelling to South Africa for the event will have an unforgettable time! I will try to play my part in welcoming them with open arms and showing them around before and during the event. Apart from all the other important things I am being asked to do, of course ... what an incredible honour that is for me!"

Also present at the launch was Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe, who described Zakumi as a "brilliant mascot". His words were reiterated by Thierry Weil, the FIFA director of marketing, who said Zakumi represented the World Cup.

"Zakumi is the key element that will be recognised around the world during the tournament," he said.

The creation of a FIFA World Cup mascot started in 1966 in England and it had been a tradition ever since, Weil explained. "Official mascots have come to play a more and more important role in the FIFA World Cup as they represent the fun side of the event."

Previous World Cup mascots include a lion, an orange, a dog, a cockerel and a stick figure soccer player.

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