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SA snaps up car flags

Johannesburg - BMWs, delivery vehicles, cash-in-transit vans and even minibus taxis have them. No, we're not talking about bad road manners, we're referring to the South African flags which are proudly being displayed on vehicles on the country's roads.

With the 2010 Soccer World Cup beginning in only 10 days, soccer fever is running high, and it is impossible to drive 100m on certain roads without seeing cars with flags.

Some flags are being flown from windows and others are tied to car mirrors.

Some soccer supporters have divided loyalties and drive with a South African flag as well as another participating country's flag fixed to their cars.

Street vendors like Mayor Chimwara, 36, who sells flags on a street corner in Hyde Park, Sandton, is delighted by this newest trend.

Mostly South African flags

"I sell many flags per day - especially South African flags. Countries like England, Portugal, Brazil and Italy are also popular. Local people buy, but I don't know if foreigners will buy too."

Chimwara said he started selling flags because he saw other street vendors doing it.

"I think guys know that flags sell well when the Bulls play and then they realised their country flags would sell well now."

According to him, it was difficult to get flags from the less well-known countries.

"We struggle to get flags from countries like Honduras, Algeria, Slovenia and Slovakia."

Garth Motaung, 18, said he sells about 10 flags a day in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

"I'm making money, real money. South African flags sell best but Italy and Portugal are also popular."

Tapiwa Dombodzvuku, 27, doesn't sell flags but made a World Cup trophy and a soccer ball from wire and beads.

"It took me about seven hours to make a trophy from a photo.

"People are definitely more interested in the trophy than in my other work," said Dombodzvuku, who sells his art work on a street corner in Parkview, Sandton.

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