Those who watched the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off event, which featured local and international big name artists sharing the same stage, would have seen Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Freshly Ground, Shakira and even Rochelle Kohn from the Knysna Drum Café.
Kohn, joined by acclaimed musician and Wilderness resident Wendy Oldfield, formed part of a 93-strong drum ensemble which performed at the event. When asked what it was like to perform at the event Kohn said, "It was awesome. It was amazing being backstage leading up to the performance with the adrenaline rushing. The only thing that kept me sane during the performance in front of 30 000 people, and who knows how many others around the world, was the thought of home." Oldfield, who recently returned from performing at the MTN Fan park in Cape Town, said that she was disappointed with the lack of South African artists who took the stage but was very impressed by the organisation and execution of the event.
Those who viewed the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony on Friday, June 11, were treated to a visual display of African life and culture through dance and music.
This event will forever be etched into the memories of many the world over, with a giant dung beetle playing quite the part in that memory.
Garden Route resident and creator of the giant dung beetle, Roger Titley, has been involved in the local and international film industry producing creatures for over a decade and was thrilled when he was approached to produce the beetle for the opening ceremony. Knysna dance instructor, Celeste Pretorius, choreographed the movement of the giant beetle and was joined inside the scarab by Jonty Hendricks of Woodville, Sury Makwena of Touwstraten and six professional dancers from Johannesburg.
Titley originally wanted the beetle operated entirely by locals from Seven Passes Initiative, which focuses on positive youth development and operates out of Hoekwil, but selected Hendricks and Makwena as they shone above the rest.
Pretorius said that it was quite a challenge operating the beetle but it all paid off during their performance during the opening ceremony. The atmosphere in the tunnel leading into the stadium was electric before the cast of over 1 500 people descended on the field of Soccer City.
Article: Michael Lockett
(Courtesy of Knysna-Plett Herald of Thursday, 1 July. The Knsyna-Plett Herald is one of the George Herald's sister papers.)
The team of dancers which animated the giant dung beetle seen the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Friday, June 11 lead by Knysna dance instructor Celeste Pretorius. From left are Paul Modjaji, Keabetsoe Dikgole, Jay Kayembe, Sury Makwena, Carmen Vaughan, Mpho Masilela, Candace Kentridge, Jonty Hendriks, Celeste Pretorius and Ashley Ball.
