Johannesburg - Soccer World Cup organisers made it clear on Monday that vuvuzelas will not be banned from matches in South Africa despite complaints that noise from the horns is diminishing the matchday experience for fans in the stadiums and those watching at home.

"Vuvuzelas are here to stay and will never be banned," Rich Mkhondo, communications officer of the World Cup local organizing committee, said at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

"Look at them as part of our culture in South Africa to celebrate the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

Cape Town - At exactly noon on Wednesday, people around the world blew their vuvuzelas, whistled and honked their horns to celebrate the first FIFA World Cup in Africa.

It was called the "Vuvuzela Moment" and it was celebrated in equal style online as it was offline. Tweeters in South Africa and across the world came to the party in fine style, causing the phrase "Vuvuzela" to trend on the world-famous social networking and micro-blogging service as fans across the world spoke about and blew their virtual vuvuzelas in 140 characters.

Johannesburg - Arsenal forward Carlos Vela insisted his Mexico side are still potential knock-out phase contenders, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Friday's World Cup opener.

"The first game is important to start strong in the tournament, but I still think this team is a very good team although we can't win every game now," said the 21-year-old winger.

Johannesburg - The opening day of the 2010 Soccer World Cup went off without any security glitches, the police said on Friday.

"There were no reports whatsoever," said Colonel Vishnu Naidoo.

The only potential risks were well-managed, he said.

At several fan parks across the country there were more supporters outside than inside.

"We advised that the gates be opened for the fans to go. Had we left the gates closed, then there was the challenge that the fences would collapse."

Johannesburg - South Africa's newspapers on Saturday declared the World Cup opener "Fantastic", revelling in scoring the tournament's first goal and in finishing the first day without major incident.

The Star newspaper ran a half-page photo of rapturous flag-waving fans at Soccer City across its front page, under a headline "Ayoba, Mzansi!" - meaning roughly "Awesome, South Africa!"

Where it is
Green Point, Cape Town

How to get there
Car Hire is relatively inexpensive – however, traveling by private vehicle at this time is strongly discouraged due to extensive road closures, traffic exclusion areas, parking restrictions and probable congestion.

Cape Town - Hundreds of people across the country left their offices on Wednesday to blow their vuvuzelas as the 2010 FIFA World Cup draws nearer.

Ex Survivor contestant Danielle Vukic and South African Sports Illustrated’s first editor Richard Whittingdale were part of a large crowd gathered in Somerset Street, Cape Town.

“This is fantastic,” they told News24. “We’re now really looking forward to the World Cup.