世博南非馆感受世界杯的激情

上海世博会南非馆近日举行活动庆祝南非世界杯开幕。数百中外球迷共迎南非世界杯揭幕战。南非驻上海总领事库玛乐先生在庆祝仪式上说，足球将来自世界各地的人们团结到一起，是真正的国际性运动。南非世界杯揭幕对南非而言是具有重大意义的时刻，因为南非是非洲第一个举办世界杯的国家。南非因此感到非常荣幸和骄傲。

The national flags of all the countries that qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup hang on the wall. Two big screens are broadcasting live the opening of the South Africa World Cup. The whole pavilion is getting in the mood of the grand football party.

Along with the countdown, people became more and more excited in the pavilion.

South African Consul General Vika Khumalo shares his view on the meaning of the World Cup for his country.

"Tonight we witness a major milestone for South Africa. We are the first Africa country to host the FIFA World Cup. For South African people, hosting the World Cup is not only an event of pride but has also meant other improvements such as a legacy of new or refurbished stadiums; new roads and railways; improved health facilities as well as targets for energy saving and measures to improve security. Overall, these changes will provide improved lives for the people of South Africa."

Singing, dancing, drawing national flags on cheeks and dressing in football shirts; people from across the world regardless of nationalities and races gather together. That's the charm of football, that's the charm of the World Cup.

"I'm so happy for the first time in Africa. This is finally happening. My friend good luck. I know you gonna make it."

"My country Paraguay is in the World Cup so we feel like excited about the World Cup to start now. I wish South Africa the best because I know that people of South Africa deserve to have a really good World Cup in their home so I wish them really good luck and I hope we can meet in the final against Paraguay."

"It's a great event. I think they put it up pretty well. They have a lot of fun things to wear, lot of good food to eat, very interactive. It's a good way to start of the World Cup. America is the best so good luck to all the other teams."

"I'm very happy because FIFA World Cup for the first time is in Africa. I'm supporting all the African teams."

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa will face stiff competition and play against France, Uruguay and Mexico. The matches will be hosted across 10 stadiums in 8 of South Africa's 9 provinces.

The world's football fans' festival now really begins. In the next few weeks, those who don't have the chance to go to South Africa, witness the event and feel the unforgettable atmosphere in the middle of fans from around the world at the South Africa Pavilion in Shanghai may be a good alternative.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in Shanghai.