Dancers, singers, minstrels and the sound of vuvuzelas brought football fever to the City Hall on Tuesday 11 May, as the City of Cape Town marked 30 days to go before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cupâ. Click here for the video clip.
Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, used the opportunity to announce the City's 2010 programme to involve all Capetonians in the event. Click here for the video clip.
This includes ensuring that residents and visitors who don't have tickets to any of the eight matches at Cape Town Stadium can experience this "once in a lifetime" event first hand - by being part of the official FIFA Fan Fest, or one of the Public Viewing Areas (or Fan Jols).
"No ticket, no problem," said City 2010 spokesperson, Pieter Cronje, adding that "the jols will be where the action is".
The FIFA Fan Fest on the Grand Parade will accommodate thousands of football fans, and will offer a giant screen to watch the action, as well as an authentic stadium atmosphere. Live performances and food and drinks will also be on offer.
The City will also set up four official Public Viewing Areas - Athlone (Vygieskraal), Bellville Velodrome, the Swartklip Sport Complex (Mitchells Plain) and the Oliver Tambo Centre (Khayelitsha) - where those who can't make it into the city centre can watch live games on giant screens.
The City's plans for these public viewing areas are nearly complete, with the safety and security plans "95 percent finished", said the City's 2010 operations director Lesley de Reuck.
"For the Final Draw in December we expected 15 000 people in Long Street and ended up with 55 000, so we are planning for an overflow."
Following successful auditions, the main acts have been appointed, and other entertainers - including buskers, stilt walkers and magicians - are also being finalised.
Meanwhile, the City's other preparations are at an advanced stage and being fine-tuned, said De Reuck. This includes transport, security, vending opportunities and training volunteers.
He added that the people flocking to see the World Cupâ when it visited during the Trophy Tour showed just how much excitement is building.
When they lifted the black cloth and unveiled the trophy, my heart fell through my stomach as I realised that we have been doing all this planning and now it's finally here.
"We are ready to welcome the world," De Reuck said.