Today's glorious weather saw a large turnout at the FIFA Fan Fest, with thousands of evidently cheerful locals and foreign fans happily rubbing shoulders with each other. Many of them were English and Dutch, with a smattering of Ghanians, and of course, the irrepressible South Africans. Initially a novelty attraction for many Capetonians, the Fan Fest is rapidly becoming known as the best way to enjoy the FIFAWorld Cup football. Although there are numerous children's activities such as five-a-side soccer at the fest, there were few to be found today, in contrast to the Oliver Tambo Fan Jol, which is very popular with children. Local bands Robbie Jansen and Friends and Dave Ferguson were well received, with fans clamouring for more when they left the stage.

Tomorrow's soccer line-up includes a broadcast of the Portugal vs Korea, Chile vs Switzerland and Spain vs Honduras matches. At 18:00, local group Gang of Instrumentals will entertain the crowd, followed by Fezeka High School at 19:15.

There's an equally impressive entertainment programme at the City's four fan jols, with the ever popular Tucan Tucan, Country Conquerers Reggae and Kurt Schoonraad at the Bellville Fan Jol, Monox at the Swartklip Fan Jol, Vumile Malte, Llitha Lokhanya Productions, Soccer Mania and the Thornton Superstars (beat that for sheer variety!) at the Oliver Tambo Fan Jol and Alan the Hypnotherapist at Vygieskraal - and these are just some of the 166 acts that will perform during the tournament.

The power of the cup

Despite featuring the very best of the world's football, there's more to the FIFA World Cup than meets the eye. Part of its appeal lies in the very tangible economic benefits it's brought to South Africa - ask any street vendor. Not only are these entrepreneurial men and women who sell football paraphanalia to passing motorists at major intersections excited about the chance to take in the world's best football action, they're also delighted to be making money from it. Zimbabwean Richard Yasini (pictured right) an immigrant from Harare, is just one of the thousands of informal traders whose lives have been completely turned around by the FIFA World Cup. "Before, I was making products out of wire, now I'm making much more - see, I'm smiling!" he says enthusiastically.

With specially adapted flag for cars on sale for R30, and mirror socks at anything between R50 and R100, there's plenty to smile about. Business is booming - Capetonians are snapping up South African themed car accessories as a statement of national pride and support for Bafana Bafana. Traders in high-fan traffic areas such as near the FIFA Fan Fest - away from FIFA's exclusion zones - sell more World Cup products to foreigners, who are on the lookout for inexpensive fangear - in their own country's flag colours - that they can use to show their support.

Many informal traders have benefitted from the Department of Economic Development's programmes to coach them through the tournament, and most traders selling football gear are listed on the department's database. Many food vendors have also attended a monthly training programme on food safety, health requirements, food presentation and the overall 'look' of their stalls. At the City's Fan Jols, plans are being made to let the vendors keep the stalls they've been using after the tournament - courtesy of the City of Cape Town.

Note:

Informal traders are a crucial part of South Africa's economy. Thousands of Zimbabwean, Congolese and South African citizens sustain themselves by selling fruit and vegetables, beautifully crafted wire products and fine art, both on sidewalks and at major intersections.