2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

The 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony took place on 11 June at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, two hours before the opening match of the tournament. The ceremony started at 2pm local time and lasted 40 minutes.[1] The ceremony involved 1500 performers, including Thandiswa Mazwai, Timothy Moloi, Hugh Masekela, Khaled, Femi Kuti, Osibisa, R. Kelly, TKZee, Hip Hop Pantsula and the Soweto Gospel Choir.[2][3]

2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony
Crowds near Sandton Sandton City two days prior to the opening ceremony.
Date11 June 2010 (2010-06-11)
Time14:00 South African Standard Time (UTC+2)
LocationSoccer City, Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa
FIFA World Cup opening ceremonies
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Notable attendees

Although in frail health and 91 years old, the former South African president Nelson Mandela was scheduled to attend the opening ceremony, however had pulled out after the death of his great-granddaughter, who was killed in a car crash earlier in the day.[4] A pre-recorded message appeared on the stadium screens instead.[5]

Dignitaries from 4 organizations and 24 countries attended the event, which included 20 heads of state and 18 eminent persons. Alongside the FIFA President Sepp Blatter and the then South African president Jacob Zuma, other delegates included the South African religious leader Desmond Tutu, the United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, the Mexican president Felipe Calderón, Prince Albert of Monaco.

Guests

Official guests included :

Attended as eminent persons included :

Opening celebration concert
The opening celebration concert at the Orlando Stadium.

One day prior to the ceremony, the first-ever FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert took place on 10 June at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. Warm-up acts including Goldfish, 340ml and Tumi Molekane performed before the internationally televised portion of the concert began at 20:00 SAST. The three-hour main event included performances by Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, The Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, The Dave Matthews Band, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, Juanes, K'Naan, Lira, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré and Vusi Mahlasela.[6][7]

References
  1. Murray, Scott (11 June 2010). "World Cup 2010 opening ceremony - as it happened | Scott Murray". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  2. Murray, Scott (11 June 2010). "World Cup 2010 opening ceremony - as it happened | Scott Murray". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  3. "World Cup begins in South Africa". 11 June 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  4. "Mandela Misses World Cup Opening Ceremony, Great-Granddaughter Killed". CafeMom. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  5. Murray, Scott (11 June 2010). "World Cup 2010 opening ceremony - as it happened | Scott Murray". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  6. "Shakira to sing World Cup anthem". 16 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  7. Farley, Christopher John (10 June 2010). "R. Kelly on the World Cup 2010 Opening Ceremony". WSJ. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
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