The ubiquitous plastic trumpet, embraced as an emblem of the World Cup by South Africans and visitors alike, sells for between 20 rand ($2.6) for a simple Chinese import to 60 rand for a more contoured instrument, produced in South Africa.
"Our vuvuzelas have the purest sound and they are the easiest to blow. A two-year-old could play it," said Cape Town-based Neil van Schalkwyk, who developed the vuvuzela seven years ago and whose sales have grown from 500 a month to 50,000.
"Our vuvuzelas also have a much more comfortable mouth-piece. I think at the end of the World Cup we'll see a lot of people with cut, sore lips," he added.
Van Schalkwyk initially named his horn the boogie-blaster, but fans dubbed it the vuvuzela - which means 'pump' or 'lift up' - and the fad was born.
"The vuvuzela is a symbol of the way we can celebrate and how we would like the rest of the world to enjoy their celebrations as well."
"We were never under the illusion we'd have a monopoly on the product and we couldn't patent the design. When we started out we were told a horn is a horn and it has been around for centuries!"
"They have become so popular, it has surpassed my wildest expectations," said Van Schalkwyk.
