Pretoria — Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called on sport fans around the country to take to the streets with their flags and blow their vuvuzelas - to welcome the teams and spectators of Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

From offices, factory floors, farms and various work stations across the country, Mbalula urged South Africans to come out any time from 12:00 to 13:00, armed with vuvuzelas, whistles, horns, flags and ululations and throw their support behind Bafana Bafana - who play the opening match against Cape Verde on Saturday.

"Take your valuable lunch time from your busy schedule to blow a Vuvuzela in your Bafana Bafana jersey as we welcome the sons and daughters of Africa in the land of our forebears. The land of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Charlotte Maxeke, Hellen Joseph," said Minister Mbalula.

Mbalula called on the country to unite in the same spirit of the 2010 World Cup.

"Please let's show our pride and patriotism as we did in 2010, when the football frenzy of the World Cup hit our shores. The beat is truly and indeed within our African veins as we traverse with our troops wearing our Bafana Jersey and hoisting our flag high and singing to the top of our voices" Mbalula said.

Bafana Bafana, joined by the Class of 96, Rugby and Cricket players will be in Sandton to mark the vuvuzela moment.