Nelspruit - Former Vice President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Reuben Mahlalela, who worked for the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC), will be buried in his home village on Saturday.
Mr Mahlalela, 50, who was Mpumalanga's 2010 Venue Volunteer Coordinator, died on Saturday after taking ill suddenly on New Year's Day.
"He was vomiting and complaining of pains. Doctors found that he was suffering from kidney stones," said his brother and family spokesperson George Mahlalela on Tuesday.
He said the funeral service would take place at the Nelspruit rugby stadium at 7am on Saturday and that Mr Mahlalela would then be buried in Masibekela near Komatipoort at 2pm.
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.
SAFA president Dr Molefi Oliphant said that Mr Mahlalela was an experienced football administrator who brought lasting change to South African football in his days as vice president of SAFA.
"Mahlalela has served football with distinction in various capacities over many years. He served the association as a vice president and also worked tirelessly as a head of delegation for the senior men's national team, Bafana Bafana.
"His contribution to football as a president of his region and at national level is well recorded," said Mr Oliphant.
He said Mr Mahlalela's passion for football took him to various parts of South Africa, especially in rural areas.
"Significant progress has been made in this regard, with close to a 1000 SAFA members already been trained in coaching and administration," said Mr Oliphant.
Mr Mahlalela leaves behind two wives and 14 children
