Fifteen years after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, controversy continues to trail the official anthem of that tournament, Waka Waka (This Ti
Fifteen years after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, controversy continues to trail the official anthem of that tournament, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), performed by Colombian superstar Shakira in collaboration with South African band Freshlyground.
The hit track, which has since become the most successful World Cup anthem in history, was not only a global cultural moment but also carried promises of giving back to the African continent.
At the time, FIFA announced that proceeds from the song would be channelled into charitable projects to support African communities.
Today, Freshlyground is demanding answers about where that money actually went.
Record-Breaking Success With Lingering Questions
Released in 2010 as the tournament’s official anthem, Waka Waka quickly broke records. It currently boasts over 4.3 billion views on YouTube and nearly a billion streams on Spotify, continuing to generate royalties more than a decade later.
It even holds a Guinness World Record as the most commercially successful World Cup song.
However, the South African musicians who shared the stage with Shakira say the financial trail of the song’s proceeds has been shrouded in secrecy.
Freshlyground co-founder Simon Attwell told City Press that the band has spent years seeking clarity.
“First I was told that artists could choose the charities, then that only Shakira could, and eventually that the money had been handed to FIFA for their 20 Centres for 2010 initiative,” he revealed.
The FIFA Initiative That Closed Too Soon
The 20 Centres for 2010 was a FIFA-backed legacy project aimed at building community centres across Africa, combining education with football facilities.
While the initiative was launched with much fanfare, reports indicate that it officially ended in 2014.
For Freshlyground, the issue is not just about what happened between 2010 and 2014, but what has happened in the years since. With the song still generating significant revenue through global streaming platforms, the band is questioning whether the original commitment to African charities is still being honoured.
“Waka Waka is still making money today and the streams don’t lie. Whether those funds are still meant for charity or just vanishing into a black hole of football bureaucracy is what Freshlyground would like to know,” Attwell said.
The Song That Defined a Generation
Beyond the financial concerns, Waka Waka became a unifying anthem in 2010.
It symbolised Africa’s moment on the world stage as the continent hosted its first-ever FIFA World Cup.
Its lyrics—This Time for Africa—resonated across stadiums, streets, and screens, embedding themselves in football history.
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