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 Flags, vuvuzela and fans with painted faces singing, dancing, and watching the beautiful game...No, this is not the scene at one of the ten stadiums in South Africa that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but rather the experience at a fan park.
While watching a World Cup game in one of South Africa's world class stadiums cannot be beaten, the vibe at public viewing areas or fan parks are definitely a close second. And most importantly, these fan parks give ordinary South Africans the chance to get a piece of the World Cup action.
Creative Consulting & Development Works first learned of the proposed fan parks while revamping the Western Cape Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport's website. Among other things we wrote content for the 2010 World Cup Unit within this department, outlining their role in helping to organise fan parks or “fanjols” as they are called in the Western Cape.
Cultural Convergence
 Fan parks were set up in all the host cities in South Africa. They are enclosed areas with big screen TVs where the live matches are shown. Celebrations start early in the day at these venues with South African artists providing live entertainment. Food stalls are set up at the fan parks and in some areas local entrepreneurs are allowed to sell their wares.
Not only do a variety of culturally diverse South Africans converge in this carnival atmosphere, uniting behind their flag, but they also share the space with tourists from all over the world. A bond is created between strangers.
At the Cape Town Fan Fest
 Nondumiso Ntsengentsu, the new communications intern at Creative Consulting & Development Works watched Bafana Bafana's game against France at the Cape Town Fan Fest on the Grand Parade to see what all the excitement was about.
“Going to the fan park for the first time, since the FIFA World Cup hit African soil was a great experience for me,” Nondumiso said. “Thousands of fans from different cultural, linguistic, ethnic and religious backgrounds came together highlighting the fact that we are a 'rainbow nation'”.
She could hear all the different South African languages around her. Amidst shouts of “Ayoba!”, “Lekker!” and “Come on boys, you can do it!” she watched the South African soccer team beat France by two goals to one.
Even though Bafana Bafana did not make it through to the second round of the World Cup, because their goal difference were not good enough in their group, people were proud of the national team's last match and the vibe at the fan park was electric.
More quotes from fans at fan parks:
 “The Fan Fest was fantastic. The atmosphere was unbelievable. The nation was united through dance and song – a truly unforgettable experience. What a blast!”
Laila Majiet
“It was 'lekker'! Everyone was so happy and excited. I wish everyone could be like that every day – no politics or other nonsense.”
Johnnie Liebenberg
“The noise was so amazing. It was like being at the stadium. It is even more amazing when you go with great people.”
Xolani Koyana
“The vibe was 'ayobalicious'. You could feel it and see it! It was so nice to see how happy and excited everyone was, how they danced around and sang. But what really impressed me was how well everyone behaved themselves. There was no chaos. I would definitely go again!”
Miekie Kruger
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