The sandstone buildings of the official seat of the South African Government were illuminated with green and gold on Friday as public servants joined in celebrating ‘Football Friday'.

Joining the celebrations at the Union Buildings in Tshwane/Pretoria were Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, himself a skilled footballer in his youth, Minister of Sport Makhenkesi Stofile, SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani, 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and CEO Dr Danny Jordaan, IMC acting CEO Paul Bannister as well as SA Tourism World Cup ambassador Lucas Radebe.

Football Fridays is part of the ‘Fly the Flag' campaign which was launched earlier this year. All South Africans are being encouraged to wear their football shirt at the end of each working week to show support for the national team as well as fly their national flag and learn the words to the South African national anthem.

Addressing those who had gathered on the Union Building lawns Deputy President Motlanthe said: "Football Friday makes us all equal because it makes us all Bafana Bafana supporters. There are only 223 days left to the kickoff of the World Cup and we look forward to welcoming all the teams, football fans and travellers who will be joining us from all corners of the World."

He urged all South Africans to support Football Fridays by wearing the jersey of the national team and to learn the ‘Diski Dance', a fun-loving African dance based on football-moves that has been specifically choreographed to get the nation excited about the World Cup.

Nematandani took the opportunity to thank the South African government for their continued support.

"It shows that we have a government that cares. It shows that we have a government that knows what is happening on the ground. This will go a long way in mobilising the masses behind Bafana Bafana and as the movement grows it will continue to stimulate interest".

He assured the South African public that the national team would not disappoint them at the World Cup.

"In North Korea the stadiums were red and surely our stadiums will be green and gold and that will definitely help," he said.