World Cup Kickoff Concert: Shakira, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys grace the occasion

The 2010 FIFA Official World Cup Kickoff at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg/Soweto,  South Africa witnessed an outstanding musical extravaganza graced by renowned international musicians such as Shakira, Black Eyed Peas,

 South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, Malian singer and guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, Amadou & Mariam, Alicia Keys

, and John Legend.

At the opening ceremony, Joseph S. Blatter, president of FIFA announced, “FIFA is very proud to be in South Africa….Football is not only a game. Football is connecting people.” Jacob Zuma, the president

of South Africa expressed his pride in hosting the first ever World Cup Africa.

He urged the citizens to pledge their goodwill and support to the great event. Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu also made an appearance at the ceremony all excited and expressed his gratitude to former South African president Nelson Mandela for his efforts to bring the soccer World Cup to the country.

Hugh Masekela started off the concert by playing “Grazing in the Grass”, and was later joined by Lira for “Pata Pata” by the late South African vocal superstar Miriam Makeba. Kidjo and Legend performed a spirited version of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.” Alicia Keys opted for a cover of “Too Late for Mama,” by the late South African pop singer Brenda Fassie. Black Eyed Peas rendered hits such as “Where is the Love?” “Boom Boom Pow”and “I Gotta Feeling”.