| OPENING DAY musical concert of World Cup 2010 is | | | | "The Lion King," is the producer of 25-minute |
| going to be the most watched concert of the world, | | | | performance at Soccer City Stadium. Nelsen Mandela |
| and the person who is going to do song samba is | | | | has picked a song "Hope" to play at opening by rocker |
| Shakira. The FIFA World Cup opening ceremony is | | | | Russ Ballard and Chris Winter. |
| going to be musical double feature this week. | | | | But Mandela's pick South African opera tenor |
| Top stars including Shakira will perform on Thursday | | | | 34-year-old Siphiwo Ntshebe, die dsuddenly last month |
| and a secret performance just ahead of match on | | | | of meningitis. Lebo M is not yet clarified who will |
| Friday. The concert will be broadcast live from the | | | | replace Siphiwo, in the singing event on Friday before |
| heart of the Johannesburg Soweto Township's 40,000 | | | | 95,000 spectators. |
| capacity Orlando Stadium at 1800 GMT. | | | | As this kind of Global event brings huge publicity, |
| Soccers fans from across the world have already | | | | several small musical groups raised voice regarding the |
| booked their tickets to watch Shakira in opening | | | | non representation of Local artists in the opening |
| concert of FIFA World Cup 2010 singing official song | | | | event. They called for boycott of the event from the |
| "Waka Waka" with South African pop group | | | | people, and people's response to their boycott call is |
| Freshlyground. | | | | not gaining momentum. |
| Among others who are going to rock Johannesburg | | | | Stampede during the warm up match raises serious |
| are Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and John Legend. | | | | doubts regarding the preparedness, crowd |
| Top African musicians including Angelique Kdjo from | | | | management and security. If any thing of this kind |
| Benin, The Parlotones from South Africa and Amadou | | | | happens during the main event, this will be shameful for |
| and Mariam, the blind musical duo from Mali. | | | | Africa and football community at large. Hope the South |
| But there is a surprise element from FIFA for the | | | | African government will fully utlize this global |
| world just before the opening match between host | | | | oppurtunity to boost its image and avoid this kid of |
| South Africa and Mexico. | | | | minor mistakes. |
| Lebo M, the Soweo-born musician behind Broadway's | | | | |