Mascot Zakumi road show hits Otjiwarongo

THE Zakumi road show hit Otjiwarongo yesterday morning as employees at FNB Namibia’s main branch welcomed their famous visitor with spontaneous singing of popular South African songs like ‘Shozoloza’, ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ and the ‘Lion King’ theme song ‘Circle of Life’.

With Zakumi getting in on the act and dancing along, branch manager Louw Durand organised a World Cup quiz as FNB employees enthusiastically participated in two teams, winning prizes like vuvuzelas, water bottles and soccer balls. And then it was the turn of each staff member to pose with Zakumi for photos. According to Durand, the Zakumi visit was a great initiative which contributed a lot to uplifting staff morale.’This is a wonderful initiative by FNB to create awareness about the FIFA World Cup, the first one in Africa. We decided to participate by organising this reception – it’s good for business since it motivates the people, while the team work amongst the staff promotes productivity,’ he said. Durand said their World Cup promotional campaign had also held big benefits for their clients, as one of them, Gunther Kahl, had won a trip to the World Cup semi-final in Durban. Durand was a bit coy as to whom he would support, but eventually backed Brazil.’I’m actually more of a rugby and cricket fan, but I think I’ll back Brazil to win the World Cup, or maybe Spain,’ he said.’But I’ll be holding thumbs for Bafana, we will support them throughout the tournament,’ he added.Zakumi later mingled with members of the public who lined up to have their photos taken. Despite it being a weekday, people had come out in their droves, including some schoolchildren and soccer teams kitted out especially for the visit. Zakumi’s fans included young and old, as well as VIPs like the Chief Executive Officer of Otjiwarongo Municipality, Manfred Uxamb, who took time out to pose for photos with the famous visitor. By 11h00 the show was over as Zakumi and his crew were once again on the road, this time to Tsumeb to make their Wednesday afternoon appearance.On Tuesday afternoon Zakumi received a fantastic reception from FNB Namibia’s Swakopmund branch which gave him an enthusiastic welcome. They were all dressed up in their FNB World Cup shirts with colourful wigs, while the ubiquitous vuvuzelas made customers sit up and take notice. – namibiasport.com.na

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