Wednesday, June 23, 2010

World Cup 2010 Floods South Africa With International Celebritites

International Celebrities in South Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010

Apart from the football stars - the current players and the former players - the Maradonas, the Beckhams and the Zidanes, a host of other international celebrities have descended upon South Africa for the FIFA World Cup 2010.

At the 2010 Fifa World Cup Kickoff Concert, held at Soweto's Orlando stadium, entertainment stars performed for a crowd of 30 000 football supporters. Alicia Keys, Waka-Waka star Shakira and Somali-Canadian rapper Waving flag K’naan were some of the main attractions.

Other performers were Black Eyed Peas, the brightly-clothed South African Soweto Gospel Choir, John Legend, Beninese star Angelique Kidjo, Cape Town-based Afropop group Freshlyground, the blind husband and wife duo Amadou and Mariam from Mali, Tuareg group Tinariwen, also from Mali, rocker Juanes from Colombia, local favourites the Parlotones and BLK JKS, Somali-Canadian rapper K'Naan, and another Malian act, the guitar wizard Vieux Farka Toure.

On a side note, the success of the event was marred by the death of the teenaged great-granddaughter of our very own superstar Nelson Mandela in a car crash after the concert which led to him not being present at the opening ceremony the following day.

At the opening ceremony, attending dignitaries included United States Vice-President Joe Biden, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Prince Albert of Monaco, and our Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Other celebrities spotted were Naomi Campbell and Pamela Anderson.

Performers included R Kelly, Algeria’s Khaled, Ghana's Osibisa and South Africa’s Hip Hop Pantsula.

In the twelve days since then, the celebrities have been streaming in. Prince William and Prince Harry of England, Princess Takamado of Japan and Spanish Crown Prince Felipe of Asturias are representing royalty. Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers, John Travolta, Katy Perry, fashion moghul Kimora Lee Simmons, her husband Cameroon-born actor Dijimon Hounsou, Hidetoshi Nakata, Japanese football star turned Calvin Klein model, Survivor Africa winner Ethan Zohn and girlfriend Jenna Morasca, US Soccer Legend Alexi Lallas, Sir David Richards, chairman of the English premier League, Ruud Gullit and Rafael Benitez have all been spotted .

On the business front, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich have visited and Lakshmi Mittal, Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour are reported to be coming. Bollywood will be represented by Shahrukh Khan and Charlize Theron is also expected. The Miss World countries from the 32 participating nations are also here to support their teams and to promote Johannesburg where the pageant will be held later this year. South Africans as well as international football fans are enjoying all the celeb –spotting and there will be alot to keep them busy here in between the football.
--BY SaraE