theGrio

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Living
    • Health
  • Inspiration
    • Good News
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • News
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Black History

News

  • thanksgiving-travel-16x9.jpg

    Holiday safety tips

  • Meagan Good

    Good staying celibate

  • obama-and-choom-gang-16x9

    Obama's pot history

  • 2) I Am Legend (2007): In arguably one of his greatest dramatic performances, Smith held the screen virtually all by himself for most of this apocalyptic thriller's running time. He plays a military scientist who may or may not be the last man on the planet.  A scary good time at the movies.

    Will Smith's top 10 films

Slideshow: South Africa's World Cup opening events

by theGrio | June 11, 2010 at 8:34 PM
Comments
Print
« PreviousNext »
slideshow-world-cup-opening-ceremony.jpg
South African dancers, dance Zulu Gunboots (traditional african dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. Thousands of South African and other nationality fans gathered at Durban beach to celebrate and follow the opening World Cup ceremony in Johannesburg soccer city stadium. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African dancers, dance Zulu Gunboots (traditional african dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. Thousands of South African and other nationality fans gathered at Durban beach to celebrate and follow the opening World Cup ceremony in Johannesburg soccer city stadium. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African dancers, dance Ingona Zulu (traditional african dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African dancers, dance Ingona Zulu (traditional african dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African and other nationality fans, hold up their vuvuzelas as they watch the opening ceremony prior to the soccer World Cup group A match between South Africa and Mexico at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African and other nationality fans, hold up their vuvuzelas as they watch the opening ceremony prior to the soccer World Cup group A match between South Africa and Mexico at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

US-Singer Alicia Keys performs at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. The Soccer World Cup kicks off on Friday, June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

US-Singer Alicia Keys performs at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. The Soccer World Cup kicks off on Friday, June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

US singer Fergie performs with her band Black Eyed Peas at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. The World Cup kicks off on Friday, June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

US singer Fergie performs with her band Black Eyed Peas at the opening concert for the soccer World Cup at Orlando stadium in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, June 10, 2010. The World Cup kicks off on Friday, June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, center, performs during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe).

Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, center, performs during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe).

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno).

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno).

Artists perform during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez).

Artists perform during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez).

U.S. performer R. Kelly, left, sings during the opening ceremony, before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

U.S. performer R. Kelly, left, sings during the opening ceremony, before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

A performer in traditional clothes sings during the opening ceremony, before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

A performer in traditional clothes sings during the opening ceremony, before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

Artists perform during the FIFA Congress Opening Ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, June 9, 2010. The soccer World Cup is to start on June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

Artists perform during the FIFA Congress Opening Ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, June 9, 2010. The soccer World Cup is to start on June 11. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar).

South African dancers, dance Ingona Zulu (traditional African dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. Thousands of fans gather at Durban beach celebrate and follow the opening World Cup opening ceremony in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

South African dancers, dance Ingona Zulu (traditional African dancing) as they perform at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. Thousands of fans gather at Durban beach celebrate and follow the opening World Cup opening ceremony in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla).

Artists, some carrying a giant dung beetle-like shell, perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010 (AP Photo/Luca Bruno).

Artists, some carrying a giant dung beetle-like shell, perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010 (AP Photo/Luca Bruno).

South African fans, celebrate while watching the opening ceremony prior to the soccer World Cup group A match between South Africa and Mexico at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia).

South African fans, celebrate while watching the opening ceremony prior to the soccer World Cup group A match between South Africa and Mexico at the beach of Durban, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia).

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

Artists perform during the World Cup opening ceremony at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

Planes fly over Soccer City during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe).

Planes fly over Soccer City during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe).

- of 17

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The first World Cup ever held in Africa opened Friday in a dazzling burst of joy, color and noise — and just a tinge of sadness.

Before a jubilant, horn-blowing crowd in Soccer City, the spectacular stadium between Johannesburg and Soweto, hundreds of African dancers in vivid greens, reds and yellows paraded onto the field for the opening ceremony of the monthlong tournament.

Most of the fans were in the yellow jerseys of Bafana Bafana, the host country’s team, with a few pockets of green — fans of Mexico, South Africa’s foe in the opening match.

The elation was tempered by news that Nelson Mandela, the revered anti-apartheid leader and former South African president, would not attend the ceremony. The 91-year-old Mandela is frail, and decided not to come after his 13-year-old great-granddaughter was killed in a car crash on the way home from Thursday night’s World Cup concert.

South African President Jacob Zuma, a scarf in national colors around his neck, told the crowd just before kickoff that he had a message from Mandela: “The game must start. You must enjoy the game.”

Zuma was joined at midfield by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who depicted this World Cup as a triumph for Africa, and added “The spirit of Mandela is in Soccer City.”

The crowd then rose for the Mexican and South African national anthems — the latter a fusion of the main hymn of the anti-apartheid movement and the anthem of the former white-minority government.

Then it was time for kickoff and the horns sounded louder than ever, like a swarm of bees amplified to near-deafening levels.

WATCH ‘NBC NIGHTLY NEWS’ COVERAGE OF DESMOND TUTU AT THE GAME HERE:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Several icons of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa were on hand — including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who at one point was dancing in his seat to the music.

Former South Africa President F.W. De Klerk, who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela for negotiating an end to white-minority rule, also was present, organizers said.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also was among the VIPs.

It was not an occasion for those who like it quiet. Many of the fans came equipped with vuvuzelas — the plastic horns which emit a loud and distinctive blare. Incredibly, the din they made was briefly drowned out by the overflight of military jets just before the ceremony started.

The public address announcer then begged the crowd to ease up on the noise so the global television audience could hear the music. The plea met with limited success.

An all-star cast of musicians, including South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and American singer R. Kelly, performed. Cast members brought out large placards with the flags of the 32 nations competing in the tournament, holding them high as a final burst of fireworks ended the show.

Soccer City, which seats more than 90,000, wasn’t yet full at the start of the ceremony. Thousands of fans were stuck in traffic jams on roads leading to the stadium — regaled along the way by groups of dancing, chanting young people in Bafana shirts and by vendors selling the multicolored South African flag.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

Filed in: News, Slideshow, Sports, Top Stories, Video | Related Topics: Alicia Keys, Jacob Zuma, Music, Nelson Mandela, Soccer, South Africa, World Cup
  • Top Stories in News

    • Slideshow: The 15 best dunkers in NBA history Slideshow: The 15 best dunkers in NBA history
    • The noose makes a comeback The noose makes a comeback
    • Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets
    • Serena Williams says sister Venus is ‘inspiring’ Serena Williams says sister Venus is ‘inspiring’
    • ‘Man with 30 kids’ actually has 24
    • Rape conviction overturned: Now what?
    • Marvin Winans’ license suspended when carjacked
    • DNA study seeks origin of Appalachia’s African-Americans
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • How Harry Truman desegregated the military How Harry Truman desegregated the military
    • How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight
    • Rangel on black America’s truest heroes Rangel on black America’s truest heroes
    • Remembering America’s black war heroes Remembering America’s black war heroes
    • Beyoncé performs for first lady, Malia and Sasha
    • Rape conviction overturned: Now what?
    • Rap Genius: Top 5 rap lyrics of the week
    • Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets
  • LIKE TheGrio

  • Hot on Facebook

  • Category Cloud

    Atlanta Black History Business Chicago Detroit Education Entertainment Health Inspiration Living Los Angeles Miami Money News New York Opinion Philadelphia Politics Reviews Service and Activism Slideshow Sports TheGrio's 100 TheGrio's 100 Women Top Stories Travel and Leisure Video Washington DC
  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • In this Jan. 23, 1942 black-and-white file photo, Major James A. Ellison, left, returns the salute of Mac Ross of Dayton, Ohio, as he inspects the cadets at the Basic and Advanced Flying School for Negro Air Corps Cadets at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala. Sixty years after President Truman desegregated the military, senior black officers are still rare, particularly among the highest ranks. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps, File)

    Rangel on black America's truest heroes

  • Obama honors veterans during Memorial Day weekend

  • Woman claims she dressed like Obama for Berlusconi

  • Florida voters support 'Stand Your Ground' law

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • © olly - Fotolia.com

    Black Enterprise celebrates largest black companies

  • Facebook unveils Instagram rival

  • Donna Summer album sales up 3,277 percent

  • 5 resources for black entrepreneurs

» Read More in Business

Living

  • thanksgiving-travel-16x9.jpg

    Holiday safety tips

  • Good staying celibate

  • School to distribute condoms at prom

  • 'He tucks me in,' first lady says of president

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • 20120528-003600.jpg

    How Harry Truman desegregated the military

  • How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight

  • Remembering America's black war heroes

  • Tuskegee Airman grants b'day wish

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • In this Friday May 25, 2012 photo provided by Parkwood Entertainment, Beyonce performs at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J., for the resort's premiere. (AP Photo/Parkwood Entertainment, Robin Harper)

    Beyoncé performs for first lady, Malia and Sasha

  • Rap Genius: Top 5 rap lyrics of the week

  • 50 Cent endorses marrige equality

  • Meet the breakout star of 'Battleship'

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • This May 24, 2012 file photo shows Brian Banks reacting in court after his rape conviction was dismissed in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

    Rape conviction overturned: Now what?

  • Hidden WWII film could aid today's vets

  • Kyrie Irving poses as 'Uncle Drew' in new Pepsi ad

  • Backlash against African migrants in Israel

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Living
  • Inspiration
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2010 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP