Johannesburg - The service providers who are to produce the spectacular 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup opening and closing ceremonies have been announced.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee said on Thursday that the internationally renowned VWV Consortium, which comprises VWV Group, Till Dawn Entertainment and Associate Producers Jack Morton Worldwide, would be in charge of the opening and closing ceremonies.
Till Dawn Entertainment is headed by Lebo M, a Grammy Award winner and co-producer of the Lion King South Africa, the globally acclaimed production that saw record attendances in theatres around the world.
Jack Morton Worldwide served as production consultants for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ceremonies and produced the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
During a briefing at SAFA House on Thursday, Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Danny Jordaan said: "Lebo M is a true South African and indeed global entertainment industry icon. We are delighted that he will bring his creativity and incredible talent to the tournament."
He further said that Jack Morton would bring global experience to the team. "We are sure these ceremonies will be distinctly African and world class."
The Confederations Cup ceremonies will be broadcast worldwide as part of the opening and final matches. The first match will kick off in exactly one month at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium with host South Africa up against Asian champions Iraq.
Dr Jordaan said with only a month left until kick-off, South Africa was ready. "We approach the tournament with confidence.
"Our stadiums are ready, our transport and security plans have been fine-tuned and more than 4000 volunteers have been trained in preparation for the first major FIFA tournament on African soil," said Dr Jordaan.
He added that while there was still much to do, no one would be disappointed in South Africa.
