Maskot Zakumi The World Cup In 2010 And South African History

Zakumi, the Official Mascot for 2010 World Cup South Africa Who is Zakumi actual figure is used as a mascot for 2010 world cup? Is there a connection and the history of world cup 2010 south africa? This is the story of a relationship story between a mascot Zakumi, World Cup and the history of South Africa. During 40 years, every World Cup event has always had a unique mascot. This time, the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa also has a special mascot with the historical background of South Africa.

Meet Zakumi the leopard is born on June 16, 1994, the date and year was historic moment for
South Africa. Dated June 16, 1976 was the beginning of Soweto
youth uprising in South Africa. On that day, school children in South Africa took to the streets to protest against apartheid (racial separation
system between whites and blacks when it enacted by the South African government).
Many of these school children who became victims because in popcom police rifles. Meanwhile, the year 1994 was the year when South African citizens of all races, both white and black, cast their ballots in elections for the first time post-apartheid democratic government.
Therefore, dated June 16 and year 1994 is seen as a symbol of great change in South Africa.

"Feast of the World Cup rally held in South Africa in 2010, exactly 16 years since South Africa achieved democracy," said Danny Jordaan, the Local Organizing Committee Executive Director of the World Cup in 2010. In other words, Zakumi is an ambassador of all
hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the people of South Africa. Then, as if Zakumi? Zakumi is a leopard male with green dreads. He has a wide smile.

Leopard Zakumi is full of spirit, vitality, social happy, confident, ambitious, and certainly loves football. That picture of Zakumi - 2010 World Cup official mascot.
Zakumi slogan is 'Zakumi: the mascot with an attitude' (Zakumi: the mascot ethical). FIFA described the character as a leopard Zakumi is
lively, friendly, adventurous, and spontaneous. In short, Zakumi is the figure of an intelligent companion. One again, Zakumi has a tendency to exaggerate things. "With warmth, Zakumi is a symbol of South Africa and the entire African continent," said FIFA on its website.

Zakumi always carry the ball, as a sign of his love of soccer. He also always invite people to play ball
with him. FIFA said that Zakumi priority is to make the World Cup in 2010 as an international one big party a fun and unforgettable.
"Zakumi wanted to create an exciting atmosphere for the fans at the 2010 World Cup which was
first held on African soil," said South African soccer legend Lucas Rabede, which describes itself as a close friend of Zakumi.

"Zakumi is very proud of South Africa, and wants to convince the world to come together and unite
in South Africa," added Rabede.
Physical design and design of Zakumi costume produced exclusively in South Africa. Initially, a
number of South African companies were asked to design a mascot for the 2010 World Cup to represent South Africa and throughout Africa as a whole. The mascot should be easily recognizable and left a deep impression.

After going through a gradual process of elimination, FIFA finally decided to use the designer's design Cape Town, Andries Odendaal. Zakumi costume itself was produced by Cora's Costume in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
Cora's Costume is a company owned by Cora Simpson who has 22 years crisscrossing the field of making costumes. Cora's Costume also the who designed the famous design for an American cartoon figure like Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird.

The man behind the creative process Zakumi is David Mbewe. He has worked with Cora's Costume for 20 years. After researching and
selecting a mixture of fabrics and colors are right, he and his assistants then Zakumi costume
design. "It's not an easy job," said Cora Simpson.

Category: History, Sport, World life