Kimberley - President Jacob Zuma has called on South Africans to rally behind the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, with just 50 days remaining until the kick off of the most spectacular event to reach African soil.
"It feels almost like a dream to say that today marks exactly 50 days to go before the kick-off of the spectacular 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in this country," Zuma said while addressing a packed Galeshewe stadium in Kimberley.
Bafana Bafana has been drawn in a tough group that include Mexico and 1998 World Cup champions France but Zuma said he was confident that the national team will go beyond the first round of the tournament.
Among those attending the festivities included SAFA President Kirsten Nemathandani, business mogul Patrice Motsepe and Northern Cape Premier Hazel Jenkins.
Zuma said the count down comes at a moment that all South Africans have been waiting for to showcase the country's ability to host an event of this magnitude.
FIFA and the Local Organising Committee chose the Northern Cape, which will be home to Uruguay, as the host of Wednesday's main event.
About 15 000 volunteers have been selected to work in various host cities during the tournament. Zuma said it was not surprising that organisers received thousands of volunteer applications across the continent as Africans were passionate about football.
"We thank the organisers and all stakeholders for their tenacity and distinct character in bringing this tournament here and preparing so meticulously and beyond.
"The flags and colours of the country are in display all over, in our cars, in our houses, and in the attire. Football Fridays have been so popularised that most wish they were a daily indulgence," said Zuma who earlier invited loud cheer from the crowd when he tried to do the diski dance.
Scores of school children carrying South African flags lined the streets of the small Galeshewe township while cars and some houses also displayed the national colours.
Earlier LOC CEO Danny Jordaan said FIFA was committed to ensuring that the tournament was not only confined to host cities.
"What we are saying is that the celebrations must be felt by all of us and today is testimony to that," Jordaan said.
Meanwhile, the locals will be treated to an afternoon of football fun when the South African under 17 soccer team locks horns with the Northern Cape side.
