THE official 2010 Fifa World Cup mascot, Zakumi, will visit Namibia from April 10 to 17.
FNB Namibia announced yesterday that the leopard Zakumi is expected to tour Windhoek, Swakopmund and some towns in northern Namibia. Zakumi has been designed and produced exclusively in the host country. The name is a composition of ‘ZA’, standing for South Africa, and ‘kumi’ translating into ’10’ in various languages across Africa. Inspired by his football idols, Zakumi has dyed his hair green as he felt it would be the perfect camouflage against the green of the football pitch.’Zakumi is a proud South African and, as such, an ideal ambassador for the first African World Cup. He was born in 1994, the same year as the county’s democracy. He is young, energetic, smart and ambitious, a real inspiration for young and old, not only in our country,’ said Danny Jordaan.The tradition of the official Fifa Word Cup mascot has been in place for more than 40 years. World Cup Willie was the first World Cup mascot, invented for the 1966 tournament in England. Official mascots have come to play a more and more important role in the FIFA World Cup as with their infectiously positive attitude, they have over the years added to the atmosphere of each competition in their own unique way.Zakumi symbolises South Africa and the rest of the African continent with his self-confidence, pride, hospitality and warm-heartedness. He loves to play football as it is a great way to connect with others and resolves any language barriers. He therefore always carries around his football to invite people to play with him.The original creator of the design is Andries Odendaal from Cape Town, and the mascot costume itself was produced by Cora Simpson of Cora’s Costumes in Boksburg.
