African dance fills stadium at WC opening
Saturday, 12 June 2010
JOHANNESBURG, June 11 (AFP): Hundreds of dancers filled Soccer City with the sights and sounds of Africa for the World Cup opening ceremony Friday, representing the six nations on the continent competing in the tournament.
The stadium, the largest in Africa, buzzed with the sound of thousands of vuvuzela trumpets as five jets flew overhead, but the stands were only partially full as many fans battled gridlock traffic to reach the venue.
Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu danced in the stands, wrapped in a yellow and green scarf and beanie hat to support the Bafana Bafana national side in their later match against Mexico.
South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela had been expected to attend, but he cancelled at the last minute following the tragic death of his 13-year-old great granddaughter in a car accident during the night.
The stadium, the largest in Africa, buzzed with the sound of thousands of vuvuzela trumpets as five jets flew overhead, but the stands were only partially full as many fans battled gridlock traffic to reach the venue.
Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu danced in the stands, wrapped in a yellow and green scarf and beanie hat to support the Bafana Bafana national side in their later match against Mexico.
South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela had been expected to attend, but he cancelled at the last minute following the tragic death of his 13-year-old great granddaughter in a car accident during the night.