South African Airways Congratulates Winners of South African Tourism World Cup 'Diski' Dance Competition

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- South African Airways (SAA), Africa's most awarded airline, congratulates Falls Church, Virginia's, 97 Fusion Soccer team for winning the South African Tourism World Cup™ Diski Dance viral video contest.  South African Airways will fly the U-12 girls travel squad to South Africa for their trip of a lifetime -- an adventure-filled 8-Day, 7-Night trip to South Africa, where they will visit Johannesburg and Cape Town, and even play a soccer match against a top South African youth soccer team.

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South African Airways partnered with South African Tourism to help raise awareness and excitement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ among America's younger soccer fans.  The contest invited teams to submit a video of the team dancing the "Diski," a special dance created for the soccer tournament which celebrates South Africa's rhythm and culture.  While many outstanding videos were submitted, the 97 Fusion team's video most closely captured the essence of the upcoming tournament and South Africa's excitement at being the first country to host the event on the African continent.  The video had the team showing off their "Diski" moves on the soccer field, in the shadow of Washington, D.C.'s leading landmarks, and even in a heavy snowstorm.  Log on to www.flysaaspecials.com to view the winning video, or to http://www.youtube.com/southafricantourism to view the five finalist entries.

"We're pleased to collaborate with our partners at South African Tourism to help promote South African culture to young American soccer enthusiasts," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways.  "The outstanding entries received are evidence of the excitement people, especially youth, are feeling about the upcoming World Cup. As South Africa's national airline, we're so proud to play a role in helping these young athletes to achieve their dream of flying to South Africa."

The next phase of the promotion is now underway and individuals can sign-on to www.southafrica.net/dance and upload their own videos for a chance to win a trip for two to the World Cup in June!  Entries will be accepted through April so now is the time to learn the Diski Dance and show off your South African spirit!

South African Airways features daily nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with morning departures from New York JFK, and afternoon direct service from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service.   Travelers in Premium Business Class enjoy 180° fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors.  Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit.  SAA's unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa."  To complement this network, a world of privileges awaits those who join Voyager, South African Airways' premier mileage program.  To sign up, visit www.flysaa.com, and link to the Voyager icon. As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 1,071 destinations in 171 countries and more than 19,534 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines. Members of United's, Continental's, US Airways' and Air Canada's frequent traveler programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights.  For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.  For information about South Africa, visit www.southafrica.net.

SOURCE South African Airways