Cup boosts SA's creativity; sales

Jozi parties in green future

Johannesburg hosted its own celebrations at the revamped Hyundai Sky Park at Mushroom Park, in Sandton. It was one of the biggest final draw parties in Johannesburg, and guests enjoyed a stylish picnic under the stars while being entertained by the Soweto String Quartet and popular rock band Watershed. The large open-air screen then switched to the final draw event, taking place in Cape Town. Celebrities, including Kaizer Motuang (jun), Zuraida Jardine, Loyiso Bala and Baby Jakes Matlala, enjoyed the festivities.

Hyundai is the transport partner and, as part of their partnership, have been investing in innovative, green-friendly environmental projects that will leave behind a lasting legacy, long after the final whistle blows in 2010. Hyundai saw the perfect opportunity to realise these goals in South Africa in Mushroom Farm Park. Once complete the park will boast an interactive children's play area, a stunning earth garden, an amphitheatre, a balloon riding facility an a coffee shop, making it a perfect green oasis for residents and tourists to enjoy.

Z-cards for match info

According to Lyn Davis, marketing director of Z-Card, once the draw had taken place on Friday, the company set its quick turnaround time in motion, working through the night to produce MTN's handy credit card-sized Z-Card in the company's traditional yellow.

"The company has full in-house capabilities and so we were able to this feat. The cards were produced on Friday and were ready to be distributed in Cape Town on Saturday morning," she says.

The seven-panel cards were handed out to shoppers and passers-by at the V & A Waterfront and Cape Town International on Saturday and became available at O R Tambo International airport yesterday, Monday 7 December. In addition, MTN promoters took to the streets of Cape Town in the MTN Bus, handing out cards to the folk in the Mother City. In addition, 15 000 were handed over to MTN staff at its various offices and service centres.

The easy-to-follow, easy-to-store cards list dates, teams, times and venues of all match games, round of 16 clashes, quarterfinals and semi-finals, culminating in the final match at Soccer City in Johannesburg on 11 July 2010.

The cards also offer consumers the chance to win prizes ranging from R10 million in MTN airtime, to Hyundai Tucsons and Getz, Sony PSPs, TVs and hi-fis to cameras and gift vouchers. The grand prize is 10 sets of double tickets to 25 World Cup games, including travel and accommodation.

Meanwhile, apart from boosting our creativity...

Final draw boosts sales

The third ticketing phase for 2010 FIFA World Cup opened on Saturday 5 December 2009 at 1pm and within 48 hours 219 162 ticketing requests were received via FIFA.com.

"We still have 47 days to go in this third phase of ticket sales. We are pleased with the interest shown so far. It shows the impact the final draw has had on football fans and the FIFA World Cup next year," said Horst R. Schmidt, chairman of the ticketing sub-committee.

"Now that the match schedule has been confirmed, we encourage fans in South Africa, Africans and football fans around the world to grab this chance and purchase their tickets for what will be an unforgettable event," says Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Organising Committee South Africa.

Applications for tickets to Africa's first FIFA World Cup can be made via www.FIFA.com/2010. South African residents have an option to apply for tickets at FNB branches across the country. Fans have until 22 January 2010 to apply for individual match tickets or Team-Specific Series. In the event of over-subscribed matches or categories, or over-subscribed ticket products or categories, there will be an electronic random selection draw on 1 February to identify the successful applicants.