Bafana Bafana are going into the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa™ with their own official song: Shapa Bafana Shapa, by multi award-winning artist DJ Cleo.

The rousing kwaito/house song is the title track of the official Bafana Bafana double album, to be released soon by Gallo Records.

Gallo had pitched a “full-on” official licensed album for the national soccer side to various artists, says the label’s Local Division General Manager, Neil Greenberg.

The resulting album, to which the finishing touches are currently being made, features a CD of new tracks, including by artists such as DJ Cleo, Chomee, Jozi, Skwatta Kamp, Speedy and Stoan, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Cantona featuring Dr Victor, Jamali, Don Clarke and Leon Schuster, and Don Clarke and the Crutch Mullets.

In addition, the album’s second CD includes the best of South African music, with evergreen hits by the likes of Lucky Dube, Stimela, Mango Groove, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Vicky Sampson, Thandiswa Mazwai, West Nkosi and Dr Victor.

Says Greenberg of the choice of DJ Cleo’s track as the official song for Bafana Bafana: “Without detracting from the other artists at all, it was the cream of the crop. It just seemed to fit as the (team’s) theme song – when we heard it, it was a no-brainer.”

For DJ Cleo, it had been an honour merely to be asked to pitch for the album – and it is doubly so for his track to be chosen as the official Bafana Bafana song: “I’m humbled, and in the same breath, honoured.”

But, he concedes, he’s had the advantage of being a lifelong soccer fan, and deejaying and performing at football matches for years.

“I know what the crowd wants to hear. The DJ box is often only a few metres from the crowd, and I can hear what people are shouting. I’ve been on the receiving end a lot, and the giving end a lot.”

Shapa Bafana Shapa, a combination of kwaito vocals over house music, is just the ticket, says DJ Cleo – and he is confident that it will find favour with South African football fans.

“We’re going to ride this mother until the wheels drop off!” he quips.

The Emerald Resort & Casino, in Vanderbijlpark, is soccer-mad – and thousands of children in its surrounding communities will be learning the Beautiful Game these December holidays.

The Holiday Coaching Programme, facilitated by the Aaron Mokoena Foundation and sponsored by the Emerald Resort & Casino, will be delivered by 6 coaches who will target 180 children in two coaching sessions per day. More than 1 800 children will be engaged during this holiday’s programme.

The Aaron Mokoena Foundation, led by Bafana Bafana’s captain, was launched at the Emerald Resort & Casino on 28 May 2009. This initiative is part of the Emerald Resort & Casino’s comprehensive local community development programme, that also includes welfare and socio-economic development.

School kids with their role models

Future Bafana Bafana players getting the basics right

“Sport is a key driver for discipline, motivation and positive social development in our local communities in the Vaal area, in which we operate,” says Emerald Resort & Casino CEO Martin Rice. “Further synergies have also been created as this programme will run with the 2010 World Cup, supporting and developing children in a sustainable, positive way.”

He adds that the Emerald Resort & Casino is committed to growing football, and shares a passion and vision with the Aaron Makoena Foundation that extends beyond 2010: “Raising the profile of football development and nurturing young talent will deliver tomorrow’s heroes on the pitch.”

The foundation comprises two specific coaching programmes: the Holiday Coaching Programme and the After School Programme, that is initially focused on six schools – four primary and two secondary schools – in Boipatong.

The After School Programme runs over 36 weeks annually. It encompasses two sessions per week in each of the schools, with a minimum of 60 children – both boys and girls – per school per week.

The After School Programme is delivered by three coaches per school, and will engage more than 2 000 young people annually.