Bongani Siqoko
World Cup fever has hit South Africa harder than the Sydney flu, and businesses are cashing in on the frenzy of fans.
When Bafana Bafana open their World Cup campaign on June 12, they will be one of the best-dressed teams in the tournament, says Kappa South Africa marketing director Sthe Buthelezi.
The new Bafana Bafana jerseys were made in Italy. The genuine items cost fans about R500, while replicas cost R99. The new jerseys are selling like hot cakes and Kappa has already run out of stock.
“They have been well received by the public, the players and the supporters,” says Buthelezi.
The tournament is likely to have South African businesses smiling all the way to the bank. Supporters are buying just about anything in the green, gold, black and white Bafana Bafana colours – hats, kitbags, scarves, jerseys, tracksuits, socks and South African flags. Even the old jerseys are still hot items.
“Everyone wants to be seen wearing a Bafana Bafana shirt on June 12,” says Senzo Dhlamini, a fan buying a new jersey in Johannesburg this week.
While some are buying souvenirs, others are packing their bags for France. At the two opening games against France and Denmark, Bafana Bafana will have no fewer than 2 000 supporters cheering them on. And against Saudi Arabia, there will be more than 1 500.
Singing Shosholoza with the multitudes in Marseille next Friday will be Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, Minister of Sport and Recreation Steve Tshwete, Minister of Public Works Jeff Radebe and Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Peter Mokaba.
If President Nelson Mandela bows to pressure from the South African Football Association to go to France, he will take his “Madiba magic” with him. However, whenever Mbeki has watched Bafana Bafana in action they have lost.
Fli Africa Sports Travel, official agency for the World Cup, offers two packages to the tournament, with prices ranging from R13 000. One covers flights, accommodation and match tickets, the second covers flights and match tickets only. Hundreds of South Africans have won free trips to the tournament.
Volkswagen South Africa has devised a way of making this event a memorable one. The new Citi Golf on the market is named Bafana Bafana, to mark the year South Africa makes its debut in the World Cup.
Only 600 of the special model have been manufactured. They have Bafana Bafana decals on the front fenders and rear tailgates. A 1,3 Bafana Golf costs R39 000, and the1,6 model R47 000.
“Bafana Bafana symbolises the hopes and aspirations of the people of our country, and we are proud to link the Citi Golf to their cause,” says Volkswagen’s marketing director, Graham Hardy.
Even couch potatoes are digging into their pockets to support their team. Multichoice has a World Cup special on satellite dishes for R1 999.
According to general manager Musa Maphisa, they sold 30 000 units in one week: “People want to watch all the World Cup games.”