News & Media

The team at Sandton Convention Centre is gearing itself up for one of the greatest shows on earth, the FIFA 2010 World Cup, by literally all ‘dancing on the street' and performing for local and international guests visiting the centre in the lead-up to June 2010.

Says Mati Nyazema, Executive Director of Sandton Convention Centre: "The catchy Diski Dance, launched by SA Tourism earlier this year, is starting to take South Africa by storm in the lead up to 2010. To show our support, everyone at SCC has taken it upon themselves to learn the steps to this truly South African dance to celebrate our country - and the African continent - as the host of this global spectacular.

"On Wednesday morning, 25 November, the SCC team will take to the streets to show that their dancing skills match their professional skills when it comes to hosting events that are of a world-class standard. This has been an internal initiative and I am really impressed with the manner in which the entire team has embraced this opportunity to show the world that we are ready for 2010."

The SCC team will get ‘down and dirty' with the Diski Dance alongside Maude street in Sandton City. The dance, comprising a series of choreographed soccer moves, takes its inspiration from African football and is a combination of various football moves used by African players that makes their style of playing the beautiful game so unique, flamboyant and a pleasure to watch. A video of the dance will be filmed to circulate to keep the soccer atmosphere live in-house as well as circulate to clients. "In addition, we are encouraging the rest of the tourism industry - and other businesses in the Sandton area - to join us in getting into step with the spirit of 2010," comments Nyazema.

The Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) has pledged a free Diski dance by its staff for all events hosted at the convention centre from now until the World Cup kick-off on 11th June 2010, with the first event to benefit being the Soccerex Exhibition scheduled to open at the SCC from 30th November 2009

"Hosting the FIFA World Cup on African soil for the first time in its history, gives all of us as South Africans, and Africans, the opportunity to celebrate our culture and bring a truly African rhythm to the event.

"Amid the sounds of vuvuzelas blowing, finishing touches to soccer stadiums and all the last-minute preparations that precede us hosting the greatest global event our continent has yet witnessed, we believe the Diski Dance presents yet another opportunity for our nation to come together and ready ourselves to welcome the world in June 2010. It's been a long time coming, but all of us at SCC have rehearsed and are ready - in fact, we can hardly wait!" concludes Nyazema.