Johannesburg - Former Vice President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Reuben Mahlalela, who worked for the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC), passed away on Saturday.
According to the 2010 LOC, the football family learnt with great shock and sadness of the passing away of veteran football administrator Mr Mahlalela.
Mr Mahlalela, who was also former Vice President of the SAFA, worked for the LOC as a Venue Volunteer Co-Ordinator in the 2010 FIFA World Cup host city of Nelspruit at the time of his passing.
The LOC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Danny Jordaan said: "Reuben's death comes as a huge shock to all of us. We saw him go into the festive season very happy and looking forward to the New Year.
"And now, hearing of his sudden passing is very sad. On behalf of the staff of the 2010 Organising Committee I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to his family."
The CEO said Mr Mahlalela had joined the LOC as a full-time employee in July last year and had been very influential at a difficult time when the Mpumalanga Provincial Government had assumed control of the 2010 project from the Mbombela Municipality.
With Mr Mahlalela playing an important role, the world cup stadium in Mbombela continues to make good progress, with Dr Jordaan saying the football administrators passing was a "huge setback" for the LOC's 2010 host city team in Nelspruit.
"Reuben has, however, made his contribution to South African football.
"[He contributed] ... as Vice President of SAFA and as the head of delegation for Bafana Bafana at a number of major international tournaments and matches.
"He was a very experienced individual and football administrator and he will be greatly missed," said Dr Jordaan.
