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Durban abuzz over World Cup

GREAT MOMENT: eThekwini municipality mayor Obed Mlaba with the World Cup tour in Umlazi's Mega City yesterday. Pic: TEBOGO LETSIE. 17/05/2010. © The Times.
GREAT MOMENT: eThekwini municipality mayor Obed Mlaba with the World Cup tour in Umlazi's Mega City yesterday. Pic: TEBOGO LETSIE. 17/05/2010. © The Times.

Canaan Mdletshe

DURBAN was abuzz this weekend when the solid gold World Cup finally touched down in the coastal province on the final leg of its remarkable journey.

The cup travelled around the world in 225 days and has been seen and admired by millions of people in 86 countries. The people of Durban queued enthusiastically to catch a glimpse of the most coveted prize in world sport.

It made its first stop at the Suncoast Casino, where it was welcomed by cheers and screams from those who had gathered for the "pashasha moment".

After Suncoast it was Umlazi Mega City's turn to welcome the cup and today it travels to Richards Bay before heading for a last stop in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow.

eThekwini municipality mayor Obed Mlaba said Durban deserved to be the first stop of the trophy in the province.

"We are honoured to be part of the visit," Mlaba said.

He said this showed that KwaZulu-Natal was truly a soccer-loving region.

"We are crazy about sport in general, which is why we have branded Durban as the sporting capital," he said.

Onwell Msomi, general manager for the 2010 Fifa World Cup of Coca-Cola South Africa, said they were humbled by the excitement showed by the people of Durban.

"We have seen so much oomph from the citizens and it is a great privilege," Msomi said.

"People from various backgrounds, young and old, have come to witness the moment and take pride in the country hosting such a tournament."

Umlazi resident Bongiwe Khumalo said: "I could not miss the opportunity to come close to the cup. It will never happen again in my lifetime and I could not miss it in any way.

"If only we were allowed to touch it, though."

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