A colourful Celebration Concert in Soweto got under way last night even before host nation South Africa kicks off the World Cup against Mexico on Friday.

The event put together by Fifa included performances from the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, K'Naan and Shakira at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg with the event broadcast across the world.

The countdown clock introducing the three-hour extravaganza finally hit zero and with it came a cacophonous roar as seemingly thousands of South Africa flags were lifted aloft creating an ocean of colour among the estimated 30,000 in attendance.

A broad cross-section of national flags representing every corner of the globe, as the many visitors in attendance took the opportunity to enjoy Africa’s impressive ability to turn on a party.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma jointly opened the concert after the early acts.