Pretoria - South African Academy Award winner Charlize Theron has been confirmed as one of the guest presenters to assist FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke during the 2010 Final Draw event on Friday.
Also making appearances will be football star David Beckham and Ethiopian two-time Olympic gold medalist, Haile Gebrselassie as well as South Africa's own cricket star Makhaya Ntini, Springbok captain John Smit and Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth.
The 90 minute event, which will be beamed live across the world to more than 200 million people in 200 countries from the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Friday, is anticipated to be opened by President Jacob Zuma and FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, one of the architects of the first African World Cup, will address the audience by video message.
It has taken a year of preparations, 3 600 hours of manpower and 5 000 hours of production to put together the draw show from the stage to the actual performances. This includes a world premiere with a handmade 3D animation of the official Mascot Zakumi, enabling the animated Zakumi to interact live on stage with the presenter during the show.
Grammy award-winners Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninese singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo and one of South Africa's most successful musicians Johnny Clegg will perform alongside the Jazzart Dance Company.
The grand finale will feature 80 artists including internationally acclaimed musical ensemble Africa Umoja. African beats will echo through the draw, while the show will reach a fitting climax at the moment when the 32 teams discover who they will be playing and when.
A compilation of poignant films will serve as a taster of the upcoming tournament scheduled from 11 June to 11 July 2010, including a journey through FIFA World Cup history and features on the host country with all its remarkable offerings for fans.
The programme will be hosted by popular South African presenter Carol Manana on a giant 4 800 square meter stage made of 6.5 tons of steel, 1 600 square meter of printed material, a 1.2km steel handrail and 950 meter square of timber.
Guests on the day will also include Nobel Peace Prize winners Frederik W. de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as former football icons Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Eusebio and Roger Milla.
FIFA has said that the majority of the 32 coaches, including Argentinean great Diego Maradona, will also be present at the draw.
