Joburg did the country proud, providing a warm carnival atmosphere to the start of the Confederations Cup.

JOBURG’S Ellis Park Stadium was a sea of green and gold during the opening of the Confederations Cup 2009, with fans literally having a ball to celebrate Africa’s chance to host one of the greatest sporting events in the world.

Vuvuzelas - the sound of South African football fans

The atmosphere in the vicinity of Ellis Park on Sunday, 14 June was carnival, with thousands of soccer fans blowing on vuvuzelas, some singing and dancing whilst others were having a good time entertaining themselves at the numerous food and drink stalls dotted around.

Well before the match kicked off, many fans were already celebrating a Bafana Bafana victory over Iraq, holding high South Africans flags and chanting Bafana Bafana names.

A high police presence made sure there were no incidents of unruliness and people entering the outer perimeter of the stadium were thoroughly searched for unwanted items like dangerous weapons and alcohol.

By 2.30pm, the stadium was abuzz with vuvuzelas and the opening ceremony began.

Opening ceremony
A group of boys played soccer on the pitch which had been covered with a huge canvas to protect the pitch grass. The boys played soccer around a rondavel which had been apparently placed in the middle of the pitch to depict a village setting.

Hundreds of performers in white t-shirts then entered the pitch and did an attractive dance routine, after which they painted themselves with bright colours to kwela music. A South African flag emerged when the group arranged themselves into a formation.

Showing support for 'The Boys'

The opening ceremony, which many people said was quite impressive, lasted for about 30 minutes after which the teams entered to line up for the national anthems.

After the anthems, South African President Jacob Zuma came onto the podium to wild cheers from the spectators. Declaring the Confederations Cup games open, he said Africa’s time has come and all people should enjoy the games. “This is the day we have waited for. This is a great day for South Africans and Africans.”

Vuvuzelas blew throughout the match and the final score (0-0) did not seem to dampen the spirits of the thousands of spectators. The official tally put the number at more than 54 000 who had come to witness the opening of the 2009 Confederations Cup.

The singing and dancing continued outside the stadium where people queued up catch up buses to take then to park and ride facilities.

Although soccer fan Nhlanhla Bhala from Naledi Extension in Soweto, was disappointed by the result, he said he had enjoyed himself immensely. “I think Bafana Bafana will play better in the other group games than they played today,” he said, waving a huge South African flag.

Banquet
The opening of the Confederations Cup followed a banquet held at Kyalami on Saturday, 13 June to welcome FIFA delegates and other visitors to the City of Johannesburg.

Hosted by Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, banquet guests included FIFA president Sepp Blatter, organising committee chairman Irvin Khoza, and dignitaries from participating countries.

Welcoming the guests, Masondo said all indications pointed to a successful event. The event gives the City an opportunity to “profile” South Africa differently, he added.

“We have already declared that the Confederations Cup and the World Cup are African events. We want to declare that everyone is welcome to the City and may you enjoy the games.”

2010 is coming
Masondo added that the 2010 World Cup will leave a legacy after the event has come and gone. He said the World Cup will benefit the City’s residents in a number of ways.

Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and FIFA president Sepp Blatter exchange gifts (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

“We have undertaken certain projects in the City. For example we are planting 200 000 tress, developing the Kliprivier, greening soccer fields and developing the Diepkloof Hostel, among other projects.”

Blatter gave a special thanks to the City for hosting the Confederations Cup and took guests back to the days he was a football layer himself.

He also mapped out the road to the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup and said it has been a difficult but rewarding road.

“This is not just a World Cup but an African World Cup and these events are going to be successful despite all the criticism.”

Calling Masondo “my dear colleague in activism”, Blatter said the executive mayor and other people who had gone all out to make the Confederations Cup a success have proven the sceptics wrong.

“After the World Cup, Johannesburg will be the most well-known city in the world. It will be number one,” said Blatter to much applause.

At the occasion, the City presented Blatter with a painting while FIFA gave Masondo a gold medal for his contribution to hosting the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.