Pretoria - Chairman of the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) Dr Irvin Khoza had the tribute of Honourary Colonel in the Department of Defence Logistics Division bestowed upon him on Wednesday.
With the rain pelting down, the newly commissioned honourary colonel took his oath to serve the Department of Defence to the best of his ability in front of a packed hall of senior military officials.
The honourary rank was bestowed upon Dr Khoza by Major General Justice Nkonyane.
"I trust and believe that you will be worthy of this honour," Major General Nkonyane told Dr Khoza while presenting him with a gold-plated plaque.
Dr Khoza, who is the owner of the Orlando Pirates Football Club, is also chairman of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), and was instrumental in securing South Africa's bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Dr Khoza moved from being chairman of the Bid Committee to being chairman of the LOC after the confirmation of South Africa as the first African country to host the most-watched sporting tournament on the planet.
He also established a Soccer Academy Trust, whose purpose is to benefit the wellbeing and skills development of young underprivileged and previously disadvantaged learners.
Business tycoon, Tokyo Sexwale, is another prominent South African who became a honourary colonel in the South Africa Air Force.
Mr Sexwale, who was present at the inauguration of Dr Khoza, is also the chairperson of the Council for the Support of National Defence, which aims to encourage part-time military service as well as building support for those who wish to serve as volunteers in the military.
