What better way to receive an iconic trophy than to give it a popular spark of entertainment.
With South Africa known as a hub of entertainment, welcoming the Fifa World Cup trophy served as one of the biggest highlights for this year particularly after featuring some of Mzansi’s favourite A-listers.
The trophy touched down at Lanseria airport on Saturday where all dignitaries, dancers, and singers gathered for a memorable experience.
The moment was reminiscent of the year 2010 when South Africa pulled out all the stops to host the football World Cup.
Maponya Mall on Sunday afternoon also had an opportunity to get close to the iconic trophy.
Popular entertainers took over the stage and interacted with the public. This included the likes of DJ Lamiez Holworthy, Amapiano vocalist Young Stunna, music star Dali Wonga, local talent Kyotic, and DJ Darque who all delivered stellar performances for the fans in attendance.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, who was accompanied by the MEC for Sport, Mbali Hlophe, lauded Coca-Cola for affording South Africa another opportunity to host a Fifa World Cup Trophy Tour, saying that it was in line with the ministry’s objective of encouraging social cohesion.
Mthethwa said the occasion reminded him of the profound message from late president Nelson Mandela who said, “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”
“It gives me great pleasure to be part of today’s happy occasion of welcoming the celebrated Fifa World Cup Trophy to our shores. The advisability of extending the life of the Fifa World Cup tournament, beyond just the period of the tournament to cover the period before, during, and after the event, presents both Fifa and Coca-Cola with a strong marketing platform,” said Mthethwa.
Mthethwa highlighted that the department applauded the decision for the local trophy tour leg to include township areas like Alexandra, Soweto, Tembisa, and Vosloorus, in the itinerary, to give it a unique “eKasi” touch.