THE 6th annual Joburg Carnival will be celebrated in soccer-crazy style in anticipation of next year's World Cup.

Residents are busy uniting for a vibrant and fun-filled street parade and party on December 31.

Themed "Woza Africa 2010" this year, you can expect the streets of downtown Jozi to pulsate with colour, music and carnival energy, while tapping into the mounting excitement surrounding the Beautiful Game and welcoming other countries, particularly from Africa, to the city.

The street parade will start at noon on the corner of Bertha and Stiemens streets in Braamfontein, and culminate in festivities in Newtown Park featuring an array of traditional food and entertainment that represents the multicultural carnival participants.

The merry procession will make its way from Braamfontein across the Nelson Mandela Bridge to Newtown Park. An eclectic assortment of troupes, choirs, bands and floats will strut their stuff over the course of the afternoon.

Police statistics show that since the City of Johannesburg initiated the carnival six years ago crime levels and disturbances in the inner city had shown a marked decrease.

South African carnival participants will again be partnering with immigrants from all over the continent in the spirit of tolerance, integration and cooperation with the objective of promoting and encouraging inclusivity and social cohesion.

Communities from all over the city have been allocated an African country that has qualified for the World Cup to inspire their carnival creations.