The Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo and one of South Africa's greatest music exports Johnny Clegg will provide a star-studded line-up for the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in Cape Town on 4 December (19.00 local time/18.00 CET). The 90-minute live show at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) promises a whole host of stunning African-inspired visual and acoustic treats with international appeal. These will include guest appearances by some of the biggest names in sport as they descend on South Africa for the eagerly anticipated Final Draw to decide whom and where the 32 qualified teams will be playing.
With the Final Draw being broadcast to no fewer than 200 countries around the world, this will mark another unprecedented milestone in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The Final Draw in Germany, December 2005 attracted a cumulative television audience of 134.5 million and was shown live in 137 countries. "We are very proud to be a part of the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. It is an incredible opportunity," said Beverly Bryer, founder and manager of the choir. The choir will perform alongside Johnny Clegg, a well-known campaigner against the injustice of apartheid in South Africa who has been instrumental in putting the new South Africa on the map.
"The FIFA World Cup Final Draw has developed into a major live show that is followed with great excitement by millions of people across the world. It will reignite the 2010 FIFA World Cup fever not just in the host country but also in the qualified countries, where excitement is mounting as we draw nearer to next year's FIFA flagship event," said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, who will conduct the draw.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has once again been appointed by FIFA for the production of the Final Draw show, while HBS (Host Broadcasting Services) will deliver broadcast signals worldwide in its capacity as overall Host Broadcaster. After producing two successful world-class draw shows at the Preliminary Draw in November 2007 in Durban and the draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup in November 2008 in Johannesburg, the SABC has again commissioned the expertise of Combined Artists to enhance the show.
"This Final Draw has all the ingredients to capture the imagination of the watching world. We look forward to finally welcoming the 32 qualifying countries to Africa to share in the rhythm and energy of our continent, and are certain that this event will provide the perfect prelude to Africa's first FIFA World Cup," said Danny Jordaan, CEO of the FIFA World Cup Organising Committee.