Bay Fan Fest™ set to welcome football fans
“Come feel the hype of the World Cup, watch the games at the Fan Fest™ and share our African pride together,” said Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Nancy Sihlwayi. “For those who cannot make it to our new stadium, the Nelson Mandela Bay FIFA Fan Fest™ is the place to be for the excitement and appreciation of being a World Cup host city.”
Sihlwayi said there had been a couple of “teething problems” since kick-off, which is to be expected. These are being addressed, she confirmed.
“We appreciated the turnout on the second day when attendance was high and the people of the Bay came out en masse to watch Bafana Bafana take on Mexico,” said Sihlwayi. “We want more of that.
“But the Fan Fest™ is not only about watching the games – there are many small businesses, informal traders and entertainers who are also a part of the bigger picture. This is why it is important to show South African solidarity and come out in your droves to the Fan Fest™ and Fan Zone to generate a ripple effect in our local economy.”
“We appeal to the citizens to be patient about whatever challenges arise. Please showcase our South African character. We appeal to people of the Bay to individually and collectively be ambassadors of the African continent and follow the leader of our utata Nelson Mandela after whom the Bay is named.”
The Fan Fest™ streamed the official opening concert live to just over 3 500 fans on Thursday night and has broadcast all eight games, including the Bafana game and the Korea Republic clash against Greece – the first game to take place in the Bay.
On Friday official figures show that the peak number of people in the stadium at one time was around 16 000 people, although a total of about 29 000 people passed through the Fan Fest™ throughout the day.
On Saturday night the vibe was electric as hundreds of England and America supporters – and general lovers of the beautiful game – descended onto the pitch at the St Georges Fan Fest™ to watch their football giants collide on Saturday night. Close on 11 000 people came through the gates over the day on Saturday.
The mood at the Fan Fest™ was one of solidarity – even amongst football foes – as floodlights illuminated the grounds, performers entertained the crowd and fans decorated themselves head-to-toe in patriotic gear.
“There is an epic atmosphere here,” said 19-year-old British national Tom Norris. “The World Cup starts tonight (for us).”
Norris is in Nelson Mandela Bay with a group of British sportsmen for three months to teach rugby, football and cricket in townships in Uitenhage and Humansdrop. Friend Oscar Savage, 18, said he was very impressed with the Fan Fest™. “We were here last night to watch the Bafana game – that was awesome and now we back to support England,” said Savage.
American missionaries, husband and wife Helmer and Shannon Jensen, said the Fan Fest™ is the perfect place to bring the family to experience the soccer fever. They have four young girls. The couple and their children have been in Nelson Mandela Bay for ten months working with the Baptist mission. They were clearly supporting the United States – and learning to blow the vuvuzela.
“This is such an exciting time to be in here in South Africa – the national pride is unbelievable. Last night we were flying the flag for Bafana Bafana and tonight we are embracing the stars and stripes,” said Helmer.
“We couldn’t afford to get up to all the places where the US are playing, so it’s great to have the Fan Fest™ here where we can mingle and share in the World Cup festivities. I just want to thank FIFA for all the hard work that has gone into this event and for making it so special,” the patriotic Helmer added.
Fan Fest™ event organiser Glenn van Eck said the shuttle service between the Fan Fest™ and the stadium operated without any glitches on the city’s first host day. “We’ve had reports that fans leaving from the depot at the Olympic Sports Club adjacent to the venue were seated within 35-minutes.”
He said minor technical difficulties were experienced with the sound feed from Johannesburg on Friday, but otherwise there had been no reported incidents.
Fan Fest™ deputy event organiser David Limbert said the programme focuses on local acts to complement the football over the next two days. “On Monday at 7pm The Invaders will take to the stage and, at the same time on Tuesday, the critically acclaimed Mo Jazz Band.”
Bafana Bafana also takes on Uruguay on Wednesday night at 8:30pm after which DJ Craig de Souse will rock the crowds. The Fan Fest™ is open on match days from 11am to midnight and entrance is free.
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