Fromtheold

So last night the new SA mascot called Zakumi was unveiled in a badly lit TV broadcast.

ZAkumi - The South African 2010 Mascot

2010 World Cup Soccer hosted in South Africa brings the worlds eyes to South Africa once again, but at least this time its in the view of a 14 year old kid inside a Leopard Suit, called Zakumi, the new face of 2010 South Africa.

The mascot entered through a beaded curtain Monday in Johannesburg. But what the heck does that mean?

Well the first two letters of Zakumi are the country’s initials in Afrikaans (one of South Africa’s 11 official languages) and “Kumi” means 10 in many African languages representing the year of the tournament.

Tim Modise, spokesman for the South African organizing committee, said zakumi can also be understood as “come here” in southern African languages.

SO WHATS THE BIG DEAL?

Zakumi was created by Cape Town-based artist Andries Odendaal.

The predominantly gold colours - subtly incorporated with green and white, with the letters “South Africa 2010″ across his chest apparently represent the country’s wealth and hopes for 2010 and the prickly dreadlocks are meant to give him the edge over his fellow cats.

Zakumi bouncing around on the badly lit sound stage for the camera.

Zakumi’s costume was produced by Cora Simpson who produced Simba the Lion and Dazzler, the official Mascot for the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Zakumi also joined the ranks of SA’s born-free generation as he was accorded with the birth date of June 16 1994, meaning he will turn 16 in 2010.

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