On eve of Africa’s 1st World Cup, thousands flock to Soweto venue to hear stars

Singing before soccer at World Cup

JOHANNESBURG — The world came to Soweto on Thursday for a celebration of soccer, music and unity on the eve of Africa’s first World Cup.

A concert featuring headliners Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys drew thousands to Orlando stadium

Warm-up acts played for hours before the internationally televised portion of the concert began at 8 p.m. with a frenzy of flag-waving, drumming and African-inspired dancing.

Veteran South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela took the stage with “Grazin’ in the Grass,” a No. 1 international hit in 1968. He was quickly joined by a new South African star, Lira, who covered the late Miriam Makeba’s “Pata Pata,” another worldwide hit that originated in South Africa.

The Black Eyed Peas were next with a slick medley of their hits, then it was back to Africa with the blind duo Amadou & Mariam of Mali and their sinuous, driving sound.

The turbaned group Tinariwen brought the sounds of Mali’s desert nomads to the mix. Colombian rocker’s Juanes, in a multicolored warm-up jacket, debuted his newest single, “Yerbatero” to cheers from the crowd.

An exuberant Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in full South African green-and-yellow fan regalia, was treated like a rock star as he led the crowd in cheers for Nelson Mandela. Mandela is credited with sealing South Africa’s bid to host the World Cup.

Tutu also acknowledged the fans from around the world who have come to South Africa for football’s premier event: “We welcome you all. For Africa is the cradle of humanity, so we welcome you home.”

About a third of the seats at Soweto’s 40,000-seat stadium were blocked off for the stage and backstage. Most other areas were filled, as was a dance floor on the pitch.

The monthlong tournament begins Friday at the main Soccer City stadium just outside Soweto, with host South Africa taking on Mexico. Organizers dubbed the concert and the first game triumphs following years of questions whether a world-class event could be staged in a nation saddled with poverty and crime, and still riven by the legacy of apartheid.

“This is a showcase,” concertgoer Nana Masithela said as she entered the venue. “We are showcasing ourselves, to say, ‘Blacks can do it.’”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter pushed to bring the World Cup to Africa. He made a brief appearance during the concert to speak about 1GOAL, a campaign to improve education in impoverished countries. South African President Jacob Zuma, who took the stage with Blatter, thanked South Africans for the welcome they have given World Cup fans, and called on them “to show the warmness for the whole duration of the tournament.”

Orlando, the venue for Thursday’s concert, got a three-year, $43 million renovation as part of a nationwide building spree in preparation for the World Cup. Sandy Angus, a British event organizer who said he has been a regular visitor to South Africa since the 1970s, remembered Orlando when it was little more than rows of bleachers and a scruffy field. He marveled at the gleaming, concrete and steel structure it had become.

“Everything has changed, from roads to airports to trains,” Angus said.

South Africans of all races filled Orlando, parading in the yellow and green of their national team, or draping themselves in their flag. Soccer fans from other countries also sported their colors.

Speaking before the concert, cast members celebrated sports and arts as unifying forces.

“Music is a universal language,” said American John Legend, who performed a duet during the concert with Angelique Kidjo of Benin. “This competition, football, is a universal language.”