南非世界杯吉祥物领跑世界杯

这只卡通小猎豹的名字为扎库米（Zakumi），它长着一头绿色鬃毛，这代表了足球的绿茵场。猎豹是陆上奔跑速度最快的动物，主要分布在非洲。南非世界杯赛组委会说，扎库米在南非11种官方语言中有许多意思：Zakumi由“Za”和“Kumi”两部分组成，“Za”代表南非，而“Kumi”在非洲大陆多种语言中都是“10号”的意思，这对于传统文化而言10号是幸运数字。希望这只可爱的小猎豹能给每一位绿茵场上的球员带来好运！

Zakumi, the World Cup 2010 mascot is a hyperactive leopard with spiky green hair. At this moment it appears on South Africa TV more than President Jacob Zuma.

A ball has yet to be kicked at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but Zakumi has already become a huge hit since it was unveiled as the tournament's official mascot in September 2008.

Jidou Studios, a Hong Kong-based animation company, has co-produced a new cartoon series featuring football-playing Zakumi.

Alexander Wong, the company's director and chief executive officer, discusses the meaning of Zakumi's name.

"Zakumi actually means South Africa and number 10. Za is (spells out name) Z A K U M I, the ZA represents South Africa. Kumi is 10. So it really means the number 10 kid on the soccer field from South Africa, which of course is also a lucky number -- number 10 being the number for Pele and all the great soccer players, football players of the past."

No matter what happens on the World Cup field, Zakumi is sure to add his effervescent personality to the world mega-event（大事件）.