Call to boycott World Cup concert ill-advised, says govt

The call by some artists to boycott the Soccer World Cup kick-off concert at Orlando Stadium on June 10 is ill-advised, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said on Thursday.

More artists had been included among those performing from South Africa and the continent, he told a media briefing following Cabinet’s regular fortnightly meeting on Wednesday.

“Cabinet calls on the parties to sort out all the outstanding issues without resorting to media statements that would undermine the positive mood that South Africans are already experiencing,” Maseko said.

The government was pleased that the World Cup, and Bafana Bafana’s performance in particular, was already playing a key role to promote nation-building.

Millions of South Africans from all walks of life were wearing shirts and other regalia to support Bafana Bafana every day, especially on Fridays.

“Cars on most of our roads are visibly sporting the national flag with pride, and we are also pleased to see millions of schoolchildren wearing Bafana Bafana shirts and learning the diski dance in school yards,” Maseko said.

In welcoming the announcement of the 23-member national squad, he said the team’s performance over the past few weeks had improved tremendously, thanks to the efforts of the players, team management and particularly coach Carlos Perreira and his technical team.

“With just seven days to go, the Cabinet joins millions of South Africans in wishing Bafana Bafana, and all other participating African teams, the best of luck in the forthcoming 2010 World Cup.”—Sapa