SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Shakira can't wait to sing at World Cup final

Record ID: 457852

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Shakira can't wait to sing at World Cup final
  • Date: 11th July 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGER SHAKIRA, SAYING: "Tomorrow I can't wait for the match, you know, I can't wait to be at the pitch singing Waka Waka, performing this song that has become a song of hope and a song of joy and a song of celebration and a song that represents integration - what this World Cup is about, I think. What South Africa has become, a country that has truly
  • Embargoed: 26th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA63UTRYOQ2JWZVVHJHRNRFTJUB
  • Story Text: Colombian pop star Shakira appeared on Saturday (July 10) at the Soccer City stadium, a day before she performs her song 'Waka Waka' before the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.
    Her song, which means 'Wake up for Africa', is the official anthem for the World Cup and will form part of the closing ceremony which will take place before Sunday's (July 11) final.
    "Tomorrow I can't wait for the match, you know, I can't wait to be at the pitch singing Waka Waka, performing this song that has become a song of hope and a song of joy and a song of celebration and a song that represents integration - what this World Cup is about, I think. What South Africa has become, a country that has truly become an example for the rest of the World today. A country that has overcome so many barriers, a country where I find so much inspiration," Shakira said at a news conference in Johannesburg.
    Shakira, who is a goodwill ambassador for the children's charity UNICEF, visited Soweto last month to highlight the need to educate the young.
    "I was also saying before that I consider myself a child of Africa and a student of its culture. Africa has been my teacher, Africa has influenced my life, my music. Colombia, especially the coastal area of my country where I grew up, is very much an African country. Actually, there are a few towns in my country where they still speak African dialect. So imagine how united and how linked my country's sensitivity is to Africa. Almost like through an umbilical cord. And I've always felt that way and Africa as well as my Arabian roots have defined the person I am, the artistic person I am," she said.
    Fifteen African heads of state, including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, are expected to join President Jacob Zuma at the game and the preceding closing ceremony.
    Hundreds of South African and African musicians and dancers and performers are expected to participate in the ceremonies closing the first African World Cup.
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