South African festival at Melrose Arch

A full program of live entertainment from across the continent will fill the piazzas and walkways with music, dance and performance art has set for opening of the inaugural Festival of Africa at Johannesburg's Melrose Arch for the 2010 FIFA World Cup .The event is organized by the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (Retosa), will run for the duration of the World Cup, with the exhibition lasting throughout June and the entertainment program carrying on to 11 July.

African sense of space in a stylish setting.Twelve southern African countries have taken space for exhibition. Live World Cup football matches will be broadcast on giant screens in the square and piazza, while fan rides to and from stadiums will add to the World Cup vibe.

The Small Enterprise Development Agency, Gauteng Tourism and the national Department of Tourismall are the encouraging organizations to make the festival successful. Deputy Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa was guest of honour at the festival's media launch on 31 May."The Festival of Africa will be Africa's signature event during the World Cup, our statement that the continent is ready to welcome the world for tourism, business and cultural exchanges," Retosa executive director Francis Mfune said at the launch.

They are hopeful that this festival would create a positive impression to the world.