DANCE THE “DISKI” ALL THE WAY TO THE 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP™ IN SOUTH AFRICA

South African Tourism Teams up with Viral Video Superstar Matt Harding on South African Soccer-Themed Dance Contest for Trip to the World Cup in June

What has five moves, captures the unique and vibrant rhythms of South African soccer, and just might be your ticket to an unforgettable journey to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and a South African Adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime?

The answer is the Diski Dance, created specifically for the upcoming World Cup. And just like the game is played in host country South Africa, the Diski Dance is rhythmic.  It is showy. And it is never boring!  Each soccer-themed move has its own name, and each name represents a different part of the brilliant tapestry that makes up the country.

South African Tourism has created this special marketing campaign, designed to showcase the warm, vibrant and fun loving spirit of the South African people, whose generous hospitality will be on display for all visitors to the World Cup. It’s an invitation to the world to come and celebrate with South Africa, at the biggest party on earth!

To get the word out on how people can show off their own interpretation of the Diski Dance, and win themselves a spectacular South African journey that will include tickets to a World Cup match, South African Tourism and South African Airways are turning to one of the most watched dancers on the planet.

Internet celebrity Matt Harding has earned the name Dancing Matt, thanks to wildly popular viral videos that show him dancing in front of landmarks and street scenes in a variety of high profile international locations.  On March 5 Harding will debut his own “Diski Dance” promotional video on his YouTube channel and at  www.southafrica.net/dance. He will also welcome participants to get their “Diski” on and take a chance at winning a spectacular trip to attend a 2010 World Cup soccer match in Cape Town, South Africa. Prize trip dates are June 6 - July 1, 2010.

Matt traveled to South Africa in January with South African Tourism and South African Airways, to shoot his own “Diski” video.  In it, he visits a series of stunning sites that showcase the country’s unmatched beauty and powerful heritage, from Johannesburg to Cape Town to Kruger and beyond.

In each location, Matt shows off his trademark moves, but feels the rhythm of South Africa while dancing the Diski.  Audiences are then encouraged to visit the South African Tourism microsite and get in on the action by uploading their own Diski Dances, for a chance to visit South Africa during the World Cup. The deadline for entries is 11:59PM on April 25, 2010.

“Matt Harding represented exactly what we were looking for with this contest,” said Sthu Zungu, President of South African Tourism, North America.  “His videos have earned him millions and millions of followers around the world.  Watching him just makes you want to dance, and we think he is the perfect person to encourage people to dance the Diski.  With his help, one lucky winner will be dancing the Diski all the way to South Africa!”


About South African Tourism

For more information on South Africa, a world-class destination, the ideal place for both business and leisure, contact South African Tourism at 500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2040, New York, N.Y., 10110; Tel: (212) 730-2929; Fax: (212) 764-1980; Email: info@us.southafrica.net or visit www.southafrica.net.

For everything you need to know about planning your trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, visit www.southafrica.net/2010. For information and brochures call 800-593-1318.

About South African Airways

South African Airways features daily nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with morning departures from New York JFK, and afternoon direct service from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service.   Travelers in Premium Business Class enjoy 180° fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors.  Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit.  SAA’s unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler’s “gateway to Africa.”  For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.