I saw the stupid thing on e-Tv this morning, and I was flabbergasted. It's one of the BIG FIVE, and we in Africa don't even know what it looks like? Sheesh, all they had to do was take a peek at a R200 note. No excuse. It looks dumb. Even a two-year-old knows that leopards don't have manes. Posted on 23 Sep 2008 10:16
If you are going to choose a leopard make it look like a leopard. Whats with the mane. Looks like a pavement special lion. Why didn't they go for a lion instead? Posted on 23 Sep 2008 10:18
Please check your facts before you make a critical comment like that....The Lion "LEO" weas used in 2006 by the Germans....we could not have the same...come on man! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 17:49
I am lost for words! Please someone tell me this is a joke and the real thing is still coming? what on earth symbolic icon is this to South Africa. I mean if this is the product of what to expect; then we might as well ask children to come up with marketing the world cup? Its really a cheap shot.
Shame I think he's cute and I like that he doesnt look like anything that exists! Good on the designers. What's up with the hip hop soundtrack on the slide show of the pictures??? It could atleast be African! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 12:09
I think the illustrated version looks very cool and a lot better than the real version. I understand there will be constraints in getting all elements in the illustrated version to translate into the mascot costume but they could have done a better job using other materials to catch more of the essence of the illustrated version (special foam/plastic composites). Even the face does not really share a resemblance. I hope this is version 1 and they get cracking on updating the costume so it looks less like a costume made at home for a school play. Posted on 23 Sep 2008 12:50
What a pity that our mascot turned out so dreadful - and how embarrassing! A lion with spots? Leopard with a mane? And on top of that, not even an original design??? Come on SA, we have masses of creative talent in this country - surely someone could have come up with an original idea that actually resembled the animal it's supposed to be! That green hair has got to go - particularly on the 'live' mascot! Very disappointing; so much for showcasing our country, its talent and abilities - we don't even know what a leopard looks like. I'm also not sure that the qualities of a leopard are right for this mascot - shy, unsociable, more strength than speed - did anyone think this through properly? If I was the marketing manager on this one it would have been rejected before it moved off the drawing board! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 12:52
Wow ...that is pretty disappointing. A leopard with a green mane and a wedgie on his shorts ... (sigh) The costume is not great either. I have definitely seen better quality ones.
The name is also way to 'anime' for me. We have some awesome African names he could have been given.
As if the character itself isn't embarrassing enough, it's not even wearing the official SA 2010 logo on its tee-shirt! Thanks goodness Sepp Ballter has already gone home! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 15:12
You are all a bunch of haters. When did you return to South Africa. I bet all these comments come from those naysayers who ran away just before the '94 elections. Go back.. South Africa was doing well without you all. Who said that a Mascot MUST have every IDENTICAL FEATURE of a tiger, lion, horse or whatever? Go Back All of you!! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 15:44
What makes you jump to such an absurd conclusion? You don't have to be an expatriate to criticise a stupid leopard that looks like stupid lion, for heaven's sake. It's our right as proud South Africans to say what we want about the mascot that will represent us to the world. On top of that, there is a well-established tradition of people criticising stupid mascots and logos of global sporting events - just look at the HUGE furore over the London 2012 logo and the 2004 Athens mascots. It's got nothing to do with personal politics. It's simply free expression in a democratic society. Posted on 23 Sep 2008 19:41
Hey guys, what a bunch of criticisers, did anyone ever see the horrible German Lion Mascot that looked like a giraffe that the Germans in 2006 had? Licensing sales were horrendous and it was an absolute flop. Whilst I was a little sceptical at first, my 11 year old son made up my mind that it is adorable. Whilst I have to say that the costume is mediocre, the annimated version is a real winner!! Posted on 23 Sep 2008 18:00
YEah I googled that one. It is hideous, and it was slammed as much as poor Zakhumi! Then they tried to whitewash it by bringing something which was supposed to look like a black eagle but instead it was dubbed the drunken penguin! Does Fifa not have a say in this? Posted on 27 Sep 2008 10:51
why it matters? Surely there are bigger things in our world to get passionate about. Channel all this pointless energy into fixing the country. Two seconds after the WC nobody is going to remember the mascot anyway! who really cares? Posted on 25 Sep 2008 09:35
1) This is a media, marketing, and advertising website, where people gather to discuss what's happening in their respective areas of interest, one of which happens to be the marketing of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
2)We can all do with a little distraction from the political mayhem every now and again.
3) What, are you seriously suggesting we all just close our eyes and ignore the "leopard" with the green hair?
4) It beats working.
5) If it doesn't matter to you, why are you wasting your time telling us that it doesn't matter? Posted on 25 Sep 2008 11:59
But these blogs and forums are generally just anonymous places to vent pent-up hatred. I read them because I am interested in other people's opinions. Usually i just leave them feeling depressed. Like when I express an opinion and get shot down for it because a) you're an agressive arsehole with nothing better to do and b) nope, that's it. Posted on 25 Sep 2008 15:09
The World Cup Mascot has zero bearing on the World Cup and says zilch about a country's readiness or ability to host a successful World Cup. If this were the case we should be talking about how much more of a success SA 2010 will be compared to Germany 2006. Their lion mascot was worse. The unveiling of a WC Mascot is simply a naff custom that began with England's World Cup Willy (also a lion) in 1966. The WC "mascot" has about as much bearing on a World Cup as Thabo Mbeki's underpants had on his resignation. Posted on 25 Sep 2008 11:56
It goes a long way to show the growing level of confidence of Africa in the Global arena,next lets up the quality of life of our people,with our own bench marks Posted on 26 Sep 2008 16:21
I'm disappointed in the quality of the costume ... the costume design doesn't reflect the character captured in the illustration. The German mascot was manufactured by the Jim Henson Company, was fully animatronic. I'm afraid Zakumi, is another static lifeless mascot that could grace any high school rugby field illiciting little response. If we're going to compare to other international events, every aspect needs to be quality. Emply people who know what they're doing! Take the time to find the best people for the job. Besides the fact that they spent a reported R200 000 on the costume? Could have had a much better design manufactured locally for a 10th of the price. The mascot costume they delivered is very disappointing :( Posted on 27 Sep 2008 11:43
Too much negative feelings are flying high in our country, not suprised by commets posted. I respect their opinions and feelings about you Za'however i would encourage you to step up and carry the SA flag high amid this political & sportical difficult times. You have my support...... Posted on 29 Sep 2008 09:05
There is alot of uneccessary negativity going on here.A lot of effort and resaerch was put into creating Zakumi and he is clearly of mixture of elements,so questions about him having a mane are rather absurd as he is a mixture of elements.I say WELL DONE to the creative team and Zakumi is vey cute. South Africans need to learn to be positive and stop harping on non issues! Zakumi rocks!! Posted on 29 Sep 2008 13:47
We are so busy loving the crap that is dished up by the Yanks that we are now starting to copy it. Have we forgotten about the very rich and unique style we have here in Africa? What a poor show from designers who live in Lion Country! Posted on 11 Oct 2008 13:48