World Cup round-up 2
Another week's worth of World Cup stories and observations as the big day hurtles closer...
"It's still penciled in his diary..." A reliable source tells me that former President Nelson Mandela plans to attend the opening match here in Johannesburg, if his frail health and mood on the day permit it. That comes despite from his own grandson - an increasingly important figure in Madiba's extended family.
Have you heard Fifa's newly released Not destined to be a classic, I fear, and the airwaves in Johannesburg are already full of grumblings about where the original tune came from, and why South Africa's Freshlyground are only playing a supporting role. But if Shakira doesn't appeal, then my money is on to deliver the goods, at least for England... After all, the Fall's curmudgeonly front man has an with this sort of thing.
Ever had South Africa's famous delicacy may not be as odd as it sounds, but you'll never look at a loaf of bread in quite the same way. If that doesn't tempt you, then maybe "football pie" will. Britain's High Commission here has just organized a competition to find the best marriage of English and South African ingredients. Chef Lesego Semenya's pie triumphed. Recipe includes Russian sausages, cheddar, and something called microgreens. I tried one a few days ago. In fact I tried two. Delicious.
Good to see that World Cup fever is being delivered to some of South Africa's many
We had a here in Johannesburg a few days ago. Some suburbs are still experiencing problems. Wisely, the World Cup stadiums all have back-up generators but South Africa's ability to supply electricity in the long term is a subject of real concern here.
First Fifa's ticketing system was too complicated, and then it was too chaotic. But at last seats are And there's some more on the security front.
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