September 23, 2008
[Poll] What do you think of Zakumi, the official 2010 mascot?
By Simone Puterman in 2010, Design, Marketing, Poll | 17 comments
 Zakumi, the official 2010 FIFA World Cup mascot |
Last night, Monday, 22 September 2008, the official mascot of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 14-year-old ‘green-maned’ young leopard Zakumi, was unveiled to the world. So how does he compare to previous FIFA World Cup mascots? Go vote now in our poll: What do you think of Zakumi, the official 2010 mascot?
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LNL | Sep 23, 2008 | Reply
I think Zakumi is cute and will appeal to many. Its just a pity that the mascot couldn’t catch the ball or kick it very well. A bit like our soccer team.
Susan Smith | Sep 24, 2008 | Reply
I think he is cute, but what is he? I am guessing a lion? - spotted? Colours of green and gold good, but he looks a little grumpy to me.
Kadi K | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
i like the drawing of Zakumi. i think that the costume needs work the unveiling of the mascot left a lot to be desired…Zakumi, control urself around the ladies.
menoscared | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
Look the mascoute sucks alot and I mean alot. The drawing is well done but the costume please do somything fast and I mean fast.
menoscared | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
i think they shudve used the bafana bafana shirt instead of the white shirt, but all in all, the mascot is tyt…irv
Tony V. | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
yo ppl the drawing is very nice and attractve but yo and I mean YO change the costume plzzzzzzzzz it sucks big time.
Mbali Tshabalala | Sep 25, 2008 | Reply
The graphical image was well done, can’t say much about the actual mascot… looks like a children’s party puppet. I think South Africa could do better, besides the concept of the lion\cheater is a cliché.
Vee | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
South Africa jst likes all these cilches overdone names/puppets …y a lion? thats if it is a lion-since there’s already the indomitable lions up North Africa? and y is the name in Zulu!? like must evrything b in Zulu!! Zakumi is cute but for like kindergardeners …
Lerato | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I love Zakumi, he’s really cute. It’s already done ppl, stop complaining!
Chad | Sep 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m disappointed in the quality of the costume … the costume design doesn’t reflect the character captured in the illustration. The German mascot was manufactured by the Jim Henson Company, was fully animatronic. I’m afraid Zakumi, is another static lifeless mascot that could grace any high school rugby field illiciting little response. If we’re going to compare to other international events, every aspect needs to be quality. Emply people who know what they’re doing! Take the time to find the best people for the job. Besides the fact that they spent a reported R200 000 on the costume? Could have had a much better design manufactured locally for a 10th of the price. The mascot costume they delivered is very disappointing
msoe | Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
I think the mascot is great but they probably should have made it wear our national team jersey.
Mabheka | Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
i think we should move away from the idea that only animals represent our country.We should have looked for another symbol.Zakumi looks like he would throw his around if he doesn’t have his way.
Mabheka | Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
He looks like the kid who would not want other kids to play with the ball.
prosperer | Oct 2, 2008 | Reply
zakumi is an animal therefore represents the nature and wild life that our beautiful nation has and shows how bright and colourful sa is .
Justin | Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
The drawing is nice, I suspect there were hectic levels of bureaucracy to blame for the random green hair and kit. The ‘live-action’ mascot is simply frightening - looking more like a jaundiced and drunk Noel Gallagher covered in liver spots than an appealing national icon.
Sir Lebz | Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
Give Zakumi a break ouens, he’s nca. ja the costume is dodge but he is cool, carefree and easy. most of u guys could learn from him. they just ned to release a soccer cartoon( produced in japan[we all know SA toons suck]) and make him the hero and use it to show of his brave and loving side. it would do wonders
Nick | Jun 18, 2009 | Reply
The illustration is quite good, but I’m not so sure if the green hair works. If it’s suposed to be a leopard the spots could look more like leopard spots. The Anthropomorphism (humanizing the character) has been well done, but maybe the green hair is taking it a bit too far. See what it would look like without the green hair and with real leopard spots. I think it can be improved upon, if I were to redo the design I would make it more african, the green hair makes it look like it’s some kind of Pokemon, like I can imagine Ash saying “Zakumi, I choose you.” “Go Zakumi” and Zakumi comes out of his Pokemon ball “ZAKUUUMEEEE!” “Zakumi, thunderbolt attack!!! “ZAKUUUMIIIEEE, AAAGGHH” ZAP!