Zakumi is a leopard with green and white football jersey Pants. The mane is also kept in a shade of green, reminiscent of the green of the football pitch.
The name is derived from the international code for South Africa "ZA", and "kumi", which is available in several of the eleven South African national languages for the number 10, and thus alludes to the 2010 World Cup . Zakumi, the world public on 22 September 2008 at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg presented.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said the World Cup mascot Zakumi (...) the people, geography and spirit of South Africa [represents] and (...) so that the symbol of FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 [is]. We will work with him before and during the FIFA Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup undoubtedly have a lot of fun. "
Zakumi was by Andries Odendaal designed from Cape Town, while the costumes by Cora Simpson of Cora's Costumes cc is in Boksburg.
The head of the FIFA Organising Committee in South Africa, Danny Jordan, said of the mascot "Zakumi is a proud South Africans and therefore, an ideal ambassador for the first World Cup in Africa. It was 1994, when South Africa became a democracy, was born. He is young, strong, smart and ambitious - a real role model for young and old, not only in our country, "
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The South African football legend Lucas Radebe, who had spent the last few days with Zakumi, added: "He wants to create for the fans a great atmosphere and increase the enthusiasm for the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, the first FIFA World Cup on African soil . Zakumi is a proud South African and wants to help make the world come together in South Africa. He is incredibly proud and wants as the official mascot for all the fans who will come to us to South Africa to be a perfect host. It is for the fans , players and all the little and big kids are a great animator doubt. "
The Friends of the World Cup mascot Zakumi described as hilarious, self-confident, adventurous, proud and spontaneous contemporaries, it has set itself the target, with its warmth and hospitality that South Africa and the entire African continent symbolize to inspire the guests from all over the world. Zakumi loves to dance and football games and will try to score during the World Cup and his new friends to get involved and to encourage, celebrate, to make the World Cup 2010 a huge, joyful and unforgettable party.
is The Zakumi in live:
