Escape and Re-Colonization of Waka Waka: Shakira’s Performance at the 2010 World Cup

In 2010, Waka Waka was chosen as the anthem for the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, and Shakira, a well known vocal artist, was appointed the task of performing. The lyrics of the song present a message of world unity. But, a semiotic reading of the official video presents a different interpretation. This paper examines the conflicts between Waka Waka’s lyrics and its cinematography, while delving deeper into its underlying colonialism.