By Nqobani Khumalo

It’s official, Gauteng has the biggest soccer balls on the continent! As a major sponsor of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Telkom has mounted a *50 ton soccer ball on the Lukasrand Tower in Tshwane (Pretoria) and another weighing 35 tons in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow precinct. The Lukasrand soccer ball was mounted in September 2009, while the Hillbrow Tower football was hoisted in December 2009.

*50 tons is the equivalent weight of 12 full grown elephant bulls! At the top of a tower!

Telkom Lukasrand Tower Soccer Ball Sets A Record In Africa

The Telkom Lukasrand Tower soccer ball has set an official Guinness Book record as the largest and heaviest structure of its kind on the continent. Both soccer balls are made of fibre glass - the same material used to make car bodies, boat hulls and swimming pools - with individual panels having been constructed and joined together with great engineering prowess. The fibre glass was chosen as the optimal material as it does not shatter when punctured with sharp objects and it can withstand the impact of heavy rain, wind, hail and extreme heat from the sun.

The Telkom Lukasrand Tower is made up of 96 pieces, is approximately 24 metres in diameter and eight storeys high, while Telkom’s Hillbrow Tower consists of 150 pieces and sits about 96 metres above the ground.

The Lukasrand & Hillbrow Tower Footballs - Impressive Soccer Monuments For Visitors & Locals

Hillbrow Tower

Both soccer monuments have already indelibly etched themselves on their respective city’s skylines, adding to the soccer vibe already gripping South Africa which, as the host of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, has made tremendous strides in preparing - and in some cases changing the very face of major cities - for this huge soccer spectacle! Estimates place the number of expected overseas visitors at about a quarter of a million while another 180 000 regional African visitors are also expected.

Telkom’s Group CEO, Reuben September says Telkom is proud to have given Gauteng these two impressive soccer showpieces to mark the province as being part of the first ever Soccer World Cup spectacular to be held on African soil.

Planning for the construction and mounting of the two fibre glass footballs began in early 2008, with players such as the South African National Defence Force, Civil Aviation Authority and National Roads Agency being consulted to ensure all bases were covered before construction began. FIFA and both the cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg also played important roles in the approval of designs and planning for the magnificent soccer monuments.

Soccer Engineering That’s Kind To The Environment

Lukasrand Tower environs

In the case of the Telkom Lukasrand Tower, a special Environmental Impact Assessment was carried out as part of the planning process, to ensure that the diverse birdlife in the area was not adversely affected by the construction and mounting of the soccer ball. In addition, the input of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment as well as the Lukasrand Residents’ Associations were sought during the process. The lighting used to illuminate the Telkom Lukasrand Tower at night (see photo top of page) was chosen and placed to have no negative impact on the environment and surrounding suburbs.

Expert engineering advice was required on the issue of the best possible materials and methodology  for the safe and enduring construction of both soccer balls. Choosing to be kind to the environment, Telkom ensured that all materials used for the construction of the soccer balls are recyclable and can potentially be used to benefit disadvantaged communities when the football monuments are eventually dismantled.

Telkom’s Group Executive for Multi-National Customers, Thami Magazi said, “By creating a large visual spectacle at the pinnacle of the Lukasrand and Hillbrow towers, Telkom is offering every citizen of, and visitor to Gauteng, an opportunity to share in the soccer frenzy that’s starting to envelope our country.” And what an exciting time it is for South Africa!

More blogs by Nqobani Khumalo

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Other South African soccer articles : Be prepared for South Africa’s Soccer Spectacle. | 120 years of soccer in Joburg