A costumed performer kicked around a ball with former Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish, who helped lead South Africa to the African Cup of Nations title in 1996.

 

The first two letters of Zakumi are the country’s initials in Afrikaans - one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.

 

Kumi means 10 - for the year of the tournament - in many African languages, World Cup organisers said.

 

Tim Modise, a spokesman for the South African organising committee, said zakumi also can be understood as “come here” in southern African languages.

 

Zakumi was given a biography and name evoking South Africa’s history and hopes.

 

The character was “born” June 16, 1994, tournament organisers said.

 

The year is when apartheid ended and the date is celebrated as Youth Day to mark the Soweto uprising of 1976, remembered as the day when young black South Africans struck a blow against white rule.

 

This will be the first World Cup held in Africa, and preparations have brought concerns about delays, costs, crime and transportation.

 

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was in South Africa last week.

 

He visited stadiums and met with former President Nelson Mandela, who helped South Africa secure the World Cup.

 

He said he was pleased with progress and was convinced this will be a “great World Cup.”

 

Blatter also said South Africa needs to generate more excitement about the tournament.

 

He urged more advertising and publicity and said he raised the issue with local organisers.