“We are known as the ‘corner boys’, but we have formed a committee to formulate what we are doing,” Buckley says. “Everyone is so excited about the spectacle coming to our country – it’s a once-in-a-life-time opportunity.”
Buckley said the plan was to convert the local park into their own fan park in time for the kickoff on June 11.
“We plan on setting up a big screen in the park to show the games.”
Every host city has set up FIFA Fan Fests, where soccer lovers will be able to watch their favourite teams compete.
The Fan Fest venues will be open on all match-playing days and entrance will be free.
Soweto soccer fans will watch all World Cup matches at the Rockville Fan Fest at Elkah Stadium. The venue is conveniently located next to the Thokoza Park station of Johannesburg's new bus rapid transit system. Up to 40 000 people can be hosted at Elkah Stadium.
[Tourism Minister Walter] Mzembi said there will be no charge to watch games in the rural viewing locations, while city residents will be charged one dollar to access the sites.
According to the "2010 Soccer World Cup Liquor Policy" any "public viewing event" where matches are broadcast to an audience - "general public or otherwise" - will need the special licence to sell alcohol.
The legislation would affect anyone hoping to benefit from the World Cup by attracting people to watch games and drink anywhere "other than a private dwelling".
The historic square opposite the city hall will be the official fan park for the World Cup.
Phase one of a multi-phased upgrade has been completed, with city officials expected to add the final touches closer to the event.
The 2010 Fifa fan fest tender was last month awarded to a joint venture between World Sport, VWV and Grand Parade Investments. World Sport is also the organiser of the J and B Met.
Public viewing areas to broaden the reach of the 2010 Fifa World Cup are going to be set up in the nine host cities and access is "mahala", Local Organising Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan said on Monday.
The province will host public viewing areas (PVAs) at four key districts in the province to give people a taste of the Confederations Cup excitement.
Entry to the PVAs is free.