Pretoria – Brand South Africa has welcomed all soccer players and football fans to South Africa ahead of the 2014 Orange African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled from 11 January to 1 February 2014.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola said: “With games being played in Cape Town, Mangaung and Polokwane, visitors to our country will have an opportunity to experience our diversity and the unique quality of the different provinces.
“However, the welcome of our people remains the same throughout the country and all South Africans look forward to hosting our visitors”.
He said during the 2009 Confederation Cup, 2010 FIFA World Cup, and 2012 AFCON tournament, South Africans showcased their warm and legendary hospitality and love for the beautiful game.
“We are all ambassadors for this country so let us play our part and be good hosts during the CHAN tournament.”
He also urged South Africans to support the national team and fly the flag for the country and Bafana Bafana.
Top jazz guitarist Jimmy Dludlu and house music trio Mi Casa are among a number of artists set to perform at the opening ceremony on Saturday, in what singer and musical director Sibongile Khumalo has promised will be better than the opening ceremony of Afcon 2013.
“You need to be there and experience it… Trust me you will be pleasantly surprised,” said Khumalo.
The line-up for the opening ceremony, which starts at 3pm on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium, was announced at a media briefing today and also includes acapella group The Soil, praise singer Zolani Mkiva and singer Jessica Mbangeni.
Khumalo said the ceremony would be targeted at young people, adding that preparations involved dance, costuming and a multi-media presentation.
She said funding limitations had made it more difficult to source African artists outside of the country.
Mvuzo Mbebe, the chief executive of the local organising committee, said more than 10 000 tickets – including those in stands and complementary tickets – had so far been printed. – SAnews.gov.za
