Mugabe off to SA

President Mugabe left the country for South Africa yesterday to attend the closing ceremony of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations at the National Stadium tonight.

He was seen off at the Harare International Airport by Vice-President Joice Mujuru, senior Government officials and service chiefs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and other senior Government officials are part of his delegation.

Nigeria's Super Eagles and the Stallions of Burkina Faso will clash for the right to be crowned kings of African football in a match scheduled to be broadcast live on ZTV.

The closing ceremony ' slated for 6.45pm ' is expected to draw several African leaders among them Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaoré.

Host President Jacob Zuma will deliver the keynote address to mark the end of the tournament that ran under the theme: Celebrate Africa ' The Beat at Africa's Feet.

Some of the continent's leading entertainers among them Nigerian superstar D'Banj, Mzansi songbirds  Zonke, Thembesile Ntaka and Kelly Khumalo are billed to perform.

House outfits Micasa and Big Nuz are also on the roaster as the 2013 Afcon Local Organising Committee seeks to cater for the continent's diverse musical inclinations.

"The closing ceremony is an exciting continuum of the work we did at the opening (ceremony), but with its own identity and feel. The performances, the dance routines have a really high-octane energy feel to them, an appropriate conclusion to a really dramatic tournament, the crowd is definitely going to love it.

"In keeping with the contemporary feel the closing ceremony is replete with images of the city and promises to be a celebration brimming with music and dance as urban South Africa comes to life on the field, with features such as minibus taxis, metal garbage bins, traffic lights, crates and brooms, being used as accessories," Orange Afcon South Africa 2013 events and ceremonies manager Lebo Hlatshwayo told the media.

Tournament chief executive Mvuzo Mbebe described the closing ceremony as an African celebration.

"This tournament has started 2013 off on an invigorating note for the entire African continent," he said.

"The opening and closing ceremonies are an important part of delivering that vibe, that energy. We are really proud of the effort that the production team, the crew, the performers and the interns have put into the ceremony.

"We also owe thanks to the Department of Arts and Culture for their financial and cultural support. As a result of this collective effort, the closing ceremony is a real African celebration, a great tribute to 'The Beautiful Game,' and most importantly, a befitting way to end what's been an incredible tournament!"

Africa's battle against malaria will also take centre stage with organisers last night revealing that the closing ceremony would be preceded by a cameo from Yvonne Chaka Chaka in her capacity as a goodwill ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

Legendary former Bafana Bafana defender Mark Fish, described as a champion of the Unite Against Malaria Campaign, is expected to usher the Princess of Africa onto the stage and also give an address on issues surrounding the disease on the continent.