Shakira does Waka Waka in Soweto school
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JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Pop star Shakira performed the African Waka Waka dance at a school in Soweto on Wednesday as she prepared for her World Cup opening concert performance.
Dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt with a lion face shaped like Africa, the 33-year old singer spent hours sharing her childhood experiences with the students before teaching them a few of her dance steps.
Shakira will sing the official World Cup anthem "Waka Waka — Time for Africa." She will also perform at FIFA's Thursday kickoff concert, which also features Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas and others. The World Cup starts Friday.
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"The World Cup is such an amazing event, I am honored to be a part of this," Shakira said.
Shakira's song takes its inspiration from Cameroonian music, but some local fans in South Africa have questioned whether a Colombian is the right choice to represent Africa's first World Cup.
At the school in Soweto, a group of students entertained the star with South African folk music and dancing before asking her questions about her first teacher and first day at school.
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Sitting surrounded by children, Shakira recalled how she cried during her first day at school, but emphasized the value of learning.
"I wish that every kid in the world has a happy childhood and access to a good education," she said.