GEORGE NEWS - After many hours of waiting and defying icy weather a huge crowd was very relieved to see the long awaited Japanese national football team and dignitaries when Fancourt rolled out the red carpet for them on Sunday.
All staff members and estate residents were called on to come out in their numbers, waving the Japanese and South African flags and trumpeting on their vuvuzelas in a typically spirited South African manner.
At first there were many disappointing false alarms of the team’s arrival, but enthusiasts kept on coming back amidst their lunch outings to see the team at last. Their arrival was accompanied by heavy security.

Following an official welcome by Fancourt’s chief executive officer, Kerrin Titmas, and cultural gift exchanges by both sets of management, the Japanese party was treated to a special performance by one of Fancourt’s staff choirs, comprising the waitron staff working in Fancourt’s Sansibar restaurant.

Commenting on hosting the Japanese team during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Titmas said: "We’re privileged to play a role in what will be such an important event for the continent of Africa.

Hosting the Japanese will provide the opportunity to forge important cultural and business ties, but it will also provide wonderful international exposure for the city of George, and the Garden Route as a whole.

Article and photos: Itha Kieser

View more photos here: http://www.georgeherald.com/gallery.aspx?gpid=85&gid=6



Cultural gifts were exchanged between the management of the Japanese team and that of Fancourt.