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Johannesburg - Deafening sounds of vuvuzelas reverberated through Thokoza Park in Rockville, Soweto, on Friday afternoon as soccer fans waited excitedly for the 16:00 soccer World Cup kick-off.
Fans danced to music blaring from car speakers while others waved flags and sang the sporting anthem Shosholoza.
Clad in South African colours, some fans made their way into the manicured park near the historic Regina Mundi church at 14:00, others having travelled from as far as Mpumalanga.
"We chose this venue because we'll be able to braai while watching the game... Unlike at the stadium where you can't really be free," said Thuli Zulu, who will be watching the game with her colleagues.
For Kgopotso Sibiya, 20, Thokoza Park was the perfect venue "because there are no parks in Ennerdale".
Johannesburg metro police and police officers patrolled the park to maintain order, while hawkers set up their stalls to sell food to fans who had failed to bring their own picnic baskets and meat to braai.
"I usually sell from home and at a school near my house, but I've got a FIFA permit to sell stuff at fan parks and hope to make more money today," said Salamina Modise, 40.
Like most Bafana Bafana supporters at the park, she hopes the national team will win.
"I think Bafana will make us proud... With all the support they are getting from South Africans," she said.
Fans danced to music blaring from car speakers while others waved flags and sang the sporting anthem Shosholoza.
Clad in South African colours, some fans made their way into the manicured park near the historic Regina Mundi church at 14:00, others having travelled from as far as Mpumalanga.
"We chose this venue because we'll be able to braai while watching the game... Unlike at the stadium where you can't really be free," said Thuli Zulu, who will be watching the game with her colleagues.
For Kgopotso Sibiya, 20, Thokoza Park was the perfect venue "because there are no parks in Ennerdale".
Johannesburg metro police and police officers patrolled the park to maintain order, while hawkers set up their stalls to sell food to fans who had failed to bring their own picnic baskets and meat to braai.
"I usually sell from home and at a school near my house, but I've got a FIFA permit to sell stuff at fan parks and hope to make more money today," said Salamina Modise, 40.
Like most Bafana Bafana supporters at the park, she hopes the national team will win.
"I think Bafana will make us proud... With all the support they are getting from South Africans," she said.
