The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 trophy is currently parading around South Africa. On Tuesday it will be in Midvaal at the Sicelo Stadium and the Saul Tsotsetsi Sports Complex.
Here are images, supplied by ThuliGraphyImages of its journey around KwaZulu-Natal.
The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and his Provincial Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, were treated to a vibrant flash mob dance routine in Cape Town.
“For the first time in Africa, the 2023 Netball World Cup will be held in Cape Town. We are grateful to these young Capetonians for putting on a fantastic display in advance of that event,” Premier Winde said in a Facebook post. Letsatsi, the official mascot for the World Cup, was at the event.
The Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 trophy has landed in South Africa and is currently on a countrywide tour ahead of the World Cup itself, which is staged from 28 July to 6 August 2023.
Letatsi is the official mascot of the 2023 Netball World Cup, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa. The name “Letatsi” means “sun” in the Sotho language, which is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa. The mascot was designed to represent the warmth and energy of the African continent, and to celebrate the sport of netball in a way that is engaging and fun for fans of all ages.
Letatsi is a bright and colorful character, with a bold and confident personality. The mascot is depicted as a lioness, a powerful and iconic symbol of African wildlife. She is depicted in shades of orange and yellow, to represent the warmth and energy of the sun. Letatsi has a friendly and approachable demeanor, with a broad smile and expressive eyes that convey a sense of enthusiasm and joy.
The design of Letatsi was created through a collaboration between the World Netball and a team of South African artists and designers. The team drew inspiration from the diverse cultures and landscapes of South Africa, incorporating elements of traditional art and craft into the design of the mascot. The result is a unique and engaging character that captures the spirit of the Netball World Cup and the vibrant culture of South Africa.
Letatsi will play an important role in promoting the 2023 Netball World Cup, both in South Africa and around the world. The mascot will be featured in promotional materials, merchandise, and social media campaigns leading up to the tournament. During the event itself, Letatsi will be a familiar and friendly presence, greeting fans and providing entertainment and photo opportunities.
In addition to promoting the Netball World Cup, Letatsi will also serve as a symbol of the values and ideals of the sport of netball. The lioness represents strength, courage, and leadership, while the warm colours and expressive features of the mascot convey a sense of inclusivity and community. Letatsi embodies the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship that are central to the sport of netball, and will serve as a positive role model for players and fans alike.
Overall, Letatsi is an exciting and engaging mascot that captures the spirit of the 2023 Netball World Cup and the vibrant culture of South Africa. With her friendly personality and iconic design, she is sure to become a beloved symbol of the tournament and a source of inspiration for netball fans around the world.
Mural unveiling at Stephen Reagan Sport Complex 6
#PutYourHandsUp #NWC2023 #MakeNetballFashionable
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Letsatsi had the pleasure to visit a local tournament in South Corridor, Kanana Park
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Meet Letsatsi, the official mascot for the 2023 Netball World Cup to be staged in Cape Town, South Africa, next year. Letsatsi is a meerkat and the creation of 11-year-old Violet Cassidy, from Manchester, England.
The announcement of the official mascot comes following a competition that was held, with the theme being “What does netball mean to me”. There was a resounding response with entries coming from all parts of the world, and the judges finally decided that the 11-year-old Cassidy had created the winning design.
In her entry, Violet had said: “Netball brings me happiness. I have chosen a meerkat because meerkats work together as a team and are native to South Africa.”. In recognition of the fact that meerkats are one of the few species capable of collaborating, the mascot was designed to keep the world united in order to make this prestigious event stand out and be truly memorable.
The 2023 Netball World Cup will be the first to be held on the African continent, and the name “Letsatsi” is a South African word and translated means “sun”, to honour the country’s bright future. The hashtag #ItsTimeForAfricaToShine further re-inforces the theme. The NWC is certain to usher in a new dawn for netball and allow the sun to rise for many of Africa’s women and young girls.
As meerkats are beautiful in nature, Letsatsi was designed to reflect both the awe-inspiring beauty of South Africa as a country and Africa as a continent. The beauty of the host country is reflected through its nature, various cultures and its rich history. But most of all, the natural beauty of the country is what sets it apart from others.
Letsatsi is fluffy in appearance with dark ears and large eyes surrounded by dark patches. She has mascot animal feet with rubber soles. Her tail has a dark tip made of various colours which include the colours of the tournament. Her multi-coloured dress was inspired by the World Cup’s celebration of the sunrise across the African sky. She represents the cultures of South Africa and Africa by wearing colourful beads on her hands, feet and neck.
Meerkats have captured the attention of television and film audiences around the world because of their endearing appearance and interesting social behaviour, just like the sport of Netball has captured the attention of its audience across the world.
Besides being beautiful, Letsatsi has an interesting social behaviour. Netball is her favourite sport and she views it as an excellent way to connect with others. Her passion for the sport is reflected in the fact that she always carries Kganya – the official 2023 Netball World Cup ball – around with her so she can play with people wherever she goes.
To further create excitement for the first Netball World Cup to be held on the African continent, she radiates positive vibes and energy for all netball fans. The young and energetic Letsatsi is looking forward to meeting millions of people from around the globe at the 2023 Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.
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