CITY staff are gearing up this winter for the FIFA World Cup™ tournament in June, with a host of Football Friday events.

Every Friday until 4 June, the City is hosting Football Friday Fun Events to encourage its staff to support the national team, Bafana Bafana, and be part of the tournament. The World Cup runs from 11 June to 11 July.

According to a municipal report, the events are set to put Buffalo City staff in a celebratory mood and to embrace their love for the game with activities such as a Diski Dance competition, a vuvuzela-blowing competition and a football quiz.

The events take place at King William’s Town War Memorial Hall and East London City Hall from 1pm to 2pm every Friday.

First up was a Blow your Vuvuzela competition on 14 May. Each staff member was encouraged to bring along a vuvuzela, and had to blow their trumpets "in the most creative fashion".

Acting municipal manager Lulama Zitha made the keynote address at the City Hall.

Buffalo City employees must bring along their makarapas to work during the week. During lunch, they will get to strut their stuff on a ramp, showing off their head gear. The week will end with a makarapa competition on Friday, 21 May.

The next Friday, on 28 May, it will be time for the Diski Dance, with City staff showing off the skills they have learnt from the professional dancers from the Guild Theatre who will be teaching them the moves.

Competitors in each competition will be judged by audience participation to determine first, second and third place winners, who will be selected by a panel of four judges.

On the last Friday, on June 4, there will be a quiz on Bafana Bafana and the World Cup. Spot prizes will be handed out. And the festival will wrap up with a message of support from Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku.

The national flag will be hoisted and a local school will sing the national anthem. Prizes to be won at these competitions include flat screen television sets, World Cup football jerseys, vuvuzelas and chocolates.