The energetic crowd at Soccer City located in Soweto was excited when Shakira made a surprise appearance during the last few minutes of the FIFA World Cup. The spectators experienced an exhilarating reaction as they watched her performance during the closing ceremony.
With the resounding noise of vuvuzelas in the background, Shakira’s second performance during the FIFA World Cup’s closing ceremony was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the packed crowd at Soccer City located in Soweto. The viewers’ excitement could hardly be contained as they cheered and chanted “Africa” in a frenzy of excitement.
Colombian singer and entertainer Shakira recently appeared at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off, where she performed her popular song “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” while sporting a colorful ensemble designed by Roberto Cavalli. Shakira was joined on stage by the members of Freshlyground, her collaborators on the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Song.
The track “Waka Waka” from Sony’s “The Official 2010 Fifa World Cup Album” has taken the world by storm with its infectious beat and catchy lyrics. With over 87 million views on YouTube and topping charts in more than 15 countries, this song has become a fan favorite. Shakira’s electrifying performance was largely due to the contribution of Freshlyground’s lead singer Zolani Mahola and guitarist Julio Sigauque who infused the track with a southern African vibe. Despite the intense atmosphere of the final match between Netherlands and Spain, Spain emerged as the victors with a score of 1-0 in extra time.
To give the closing ceremony of the event a special South African flair, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a multiple Grammy award-winning a capella group, was featured. Their distinct musical style was a perfect complement to the mechanized elephants that looked like they were drinking from a wetland created on the pitch. Stoan Seate from Bongo Maffin and other South African artists also performed, with dancers forming a giant vuvuzela and the words “For Africa,” making the event a visual spectacle.
At the final event, there was a special tribute to South Africa’s rich musical history, which included a performance by legendary singer Abigail Kubeka, who previously worked with Miriam Makeba. Alongside Kubeka, Theo Kgosinkwe from the popular Afro-pop group Mafikizolo also performed, infusing their music with Afro-jazz vibes. However, the multi-artist rendition of “Everywhere You Go” fell a bit short of expectations. Despite featuring well-known South African artists such as Jozi, Slikour, and Zuluboy, as well as Nigeria’s 2Face and Ghana’s Samini at Soccer City, the song lacked the same energy as the rest of the event. The song was created for the contest’s South African sponsors, MTN, and even featured Kelly Rowland, which was digitally released.
The tournament’s closing ceremony was an unforgettable spectacle, as over 700 performers wowed the audience with their spectacular dance routines and stunning visual displays. The performance encapsulated the highlights of the month-long event in a mesmerizing show. Notably, former President Nelson Mandela appeared in the ceremony, compensating for his absence during the opening ceremony due to the tragic loss of his great-grand-daughter in a car accident. Though he had to ride around the pitch in a motorized vehicle, the crowd’s love for him was palpable, and many considered the ceremony as one of the best in recent history. The event was aired in an impressive 215 countries worldwide, attracting an estimated audience of over 500 million viewers.
