Cape Town at fever pitch
2009-12-04 14:14
Buhle Hlatshwayo and Zintle Makeng
Cape Town - The atmosphere in Long Street was electric on Friday afternoon, as the Mother City gets ready to celebrate the FIFA 2010 World Cup draw.
Much of the area surrounding the city’s party strip has been closed off to create a party venue set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. Thousands of people are expected to flock to what is being seen as a dry-run for what will become the continent's biggest soccer event yet.
A giant screen has been set up at the top end of Long Street so that revellers can watch the draw - taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre - live at 19:00.
Security checkpoints have been erected at every entrance to the cordoned-off area, where bags and pockets are being searched.
Soccer fever
Locals finally seemed ready to succumb to some real soccer fever, as they waited to see their favourite stars and dignitaries.
“We’re originally from Indonesia but we’ve been living In Cape Town for three years now. My mom told me that there’ll be a festival in connection with the World Cup happening here today. Apparently Charlize Theron and David Beckham will be here – I just want to see them,” said an enthusiastic Zara Soemadinata, 13.
Artists such as Freshlyground, Flat Stanley and Jimmy Dludlu will entertain the partygoers.
Tom Henderick a.k.a DJ DD is set to play in one of the clubs adorning the popular street.
“I’m actually from Holland but while I was studying here I got a gig to regularly DJ at Cape to Cuba,” said Hendrick. “I’ll be playing the whole day right into the night and my set will comprise mainly of House, Techno-house and the Trance genres,” he added.
'Full of hope and excitement'
Nathan Devries Durbanville was buzzing with excitement while waiting for the festival to begin. “I’m hoping to get a glimpse of David Beckham, I’m a diehard football fan and I’m so proud that we will be hosting the biggest soccer teams in the world. The night promises to be full of hope and excitement, can’t wait.”
Mahad Auseen, from Somalia, smiled as he nursed his beer and laughed with a friend. “I came all the way from Somalia to witness the draw and be part of the excitement. South Africa is representing the whole of Africa by hosting the World Cup, and we have never been more proud to be Africans then we are right now. Even If South Africa doesn’t win the Cup, in our eyes it is already victorious for hosting such a prestigious event.”
According Dr Wayne Smith, Head of the 2010 Health Unit, they have put in place measures to ensure revellers’ safety. “We’ve done a risk assessment of the entire area and have deployed 50 emergency and medical service practitioners along Long Street.
“There are two golf carts that will be driving around scouting for injured patients. This is due to the fact that we can’t bring in ambulances into the demarcated area. We have eight hospitals on standby within the CBD area - this includes both private and public hospitals,” he said.
- Additional reporting by Sapa