The deputy president joined soccer stars and top fans on a road show through Soweto to ratchet up the excitement ahead of the Confederations Cup.

IF the enthusiasm shown by Sowetans for the up-coming FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009™ is anything to go by, then the tournament is going to be a blast.

Deputy President Baleka Mbete, and the Organising Committee’s chief executive Danny Jordaan

 On Tuesday, 14 April, people braved the chilly weather to cheer a convoy of cars and buses carrying Deputy President Baleka Mbete, 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee South Africa (OC) members, Safa members, 2010 World Cup ambassadors and - of course - the 2010 World Cup mascot, Zakumi.

Mbete, who is also the chairperson of the government's 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee, and OC members were on a drive to drum up support in the township for the Festival of Champions.

First stop was Bara Mall in the Baragwanath Taxi Rank, where the cavalcade was greeted by a vociferous crowd singing popular football songs. Here, Mbete, together with OC chief executive Danny Jordaan, distributed Confederations Cup T-shirts and pamphlets advertising the event to shoppers.

Next up was Jabulani Mall; and if the crowd at Bara was enthusiastic, then the crowd at Jabulani took the trophy. The moment the convoy of cars entered the parkade, there was surge of people pushing and shoving to catch a glimpse of Baleka and the soccer greats.

Star fans
There was also a stampede for the T-shirts and vuvuzelas being handed out by soccer star fans, like Sadaam of Kaizer Chiefs, Mzekezeke of Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town's Gladys Gailey. Because of the large number of people, some went away disappointed.

The last stop was at the grand Maponya Mall in Klipspruit, where a group of dancers greeted Mbete and the OC team and 2010 ambassadors. Speaking to the gathered crowd, Mbete said the Confederations Cup was a South African event that South Africans must support.

"We have noticed that South Africans are not buying tickets to both the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup. We are here to encourage you to buy tickets and fill up the stadiums."

More such tours would be done around the country to drum up support.

Buying tickets for Confederations Cup and World Cup matches was unfamiliar to most people, the deputy president said. "However, people will get help from FNB staff where ticket applications can be made."

Buying tickets
Jordaan then gave a rundown on the process. He said the first thing was to collect an application form from any FNB branch nationwide.

Excitement is building for the Confederations Cup

"Fill in the application form and return it to FNB where all your details will be recorded. After handing in your application wait for an SMS that will inform you whether your application was successful."

The cheapest ticket to the Confederations Cup was only R70, a fair amount for people to see the world's greatest footballers, like Kaka and Fernando Torres, strut their stuff on South Africa soil.

Jordaan said about 300 000 tickets had been sold so far - half of the total number of tickets on sale. He commended one private company that bought 50 000 tickets for its staff and for distribution among "deserving" local communities.

"It is our hope that the stadiums will be full for the Confederations Cup."

Festival of Champions
The Confederations Cup, also known as the Festival of Champions as it pits the champions of the six FIFA Confederations, reigning world champions and next FIFA World Cup hosts, South Africa, against each other, takes place from 14 to 28 June.

South American champions Brazil, European champions Spain, African champions Egypt, 2006 World Cup champions Italy, 2010 hosts South Africa, Asian champions Iraq and CONCACAF champions the United States have qualified. The Oceania champions will complete the line-up.

It will be played at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium and Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace.

The first and final matches of the tournament will be played at Ellis Park Stadium; the tournament kicks off with South Africa's Bafana Bafana taking on Iraq.