World Cup 2010 Blog

By Noughty Maluleke

Johannesburg - Laugher and hugs filled the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in the centre of Johannesburg, when 2010 FIFA World Cup ambassador Zakumi popped in to visit the children in various wards.

Zakumi has been travelling far and wide bearing the world cup message, reports Joburg.org.

Earlier in October, Zakumi travelled to Brussels where he entertained the Spanish football team and their fans during a training session.

This week it was the children at the hospital that got the opportunity to meet the larger-than-life character.

Small faces lit up in wonder as the children spotted the giant leopard with his funky green hairstyle when he entered the wards laden with gifts of fluffy toys.

The mascot spent time in the bright yellow postnatal ward with some of the hospital’s new born babies.

But it was his surprise entrance in the toddlers’ wards that really made some very ill children forget about their troubles.

They immediately turned off the television and jumped up to greet and play with the now famous leopard mascot.

Zakumi was accompanied by the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Sagie Pillay, Coca Cola’s public affairs and Communication Director Kaizer Nyatsumba, and the hospital’s public relations officer, Lungi Mvumvu.

“The aim of bringing Zakumi here to the hospital is to show people that the 2010 World Cup is here to benefit locals.

“We wanted the ambassador (Zakumi) to give hope to these sick children and show them that there are people out there who care about them,” said Mr Pillay.

Zakumi made appearances at various hospital departments, the children’s ward, the neurology department, the cardiac ward, the hospital school, the medical ward and the theatre conventions.

All the children visited were given teddy bears and toys donated by Coca Cola.

“By interacting with Zakumi, I believe that our patients’ hopes have really risen,” said the public relations officer.

Mr Nyatsumba said the country’s roadshow with Zakumi will highlight different aspects of development from environmental issues to education, from boosting entrepreneurial ventures to community-based organisations.

Source: BuaNews