Shakira rocks the World Cup's Waka Waka with schoolkids in South Africa

Shakira, the Colombian singer well known for her dancing as well as her efforts to promote early childhood education, visited a South African school Wednesday ahead of the Thursday concert kicking off soccer's World Cup, aiming to bring attention to 1Goal: Education for All -- and to rock the Waka Waka, the official World Cup dance.

Students at the Isu-lihle primary school in Soweto, Johannesburg, got to meet the "Hips Don't Lie" singer and give the Waka Waka a whirl.

Click here to see top players helping make the music video -- it's embedded after the break -- or learn the dance yourself and, if you dare, take Shakira up on her challenge to upload a video of the results. C'mon, if the kids can ... ?

Admit it: This official dance is significantly less scary than ...

... the official mascots 2012 London Olympics.

Also scheduled to rock the opening ceremony: Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Juanes and a host of other artists and groups.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photos: Shakira, top, dances with kids of the Isu'lihle Senior Primary School in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 9, 2010. At right, an excited boy watches through a fence with a group of other kids anticipating the pop star's arrival at their school. Credit: Yves Logghe / Associated Press.

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Why do posts featuring Shakira and soccer stars always get us thinking about our gratuitous beefcake and cheesecake coverage? That's something to think about while you wait for the World Cup to start.

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