Top artists lined up for 2010 Final Draw showpiece

Monday, November 9, 2009

Johannesburg - The Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Ang,lique Kidjo and one of South Africa's greatest artists Johnny Clegg, will headline a star-studded line-up for the Final Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The 90-minute live show on 4 December at the Cape Town International Convention Centre promises a host of stunning African-inspired visual and acoustic treats with international appeal, reports SouthAfrica.info.

These will include guest appearances by some of the biggest names in sport, as they descend on South Africa for the Final Draw to determine where and against whom the 32 qualified teams will be playing in 2010.

The Final Draw would be broadcasted to no fewer than 200 countries around the world. In 2006, the Final Draw for the World Cup in Germany attracted a cumulative television audience of 134.5-million and was shown live in 137 countries.

"We are very proud to be a part of the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. It is an incredible opportunity," said Beverly Bryer, founder and manager of the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The choir will perform alongside Johnny Clegg, a well-known campaigner against the injustice of apartheid in South Africa and one of the artists who was instrumental in putting the new South Africa on the map.

"The FIFA World Cup Final Draw has developed into a major live show that is followed with great excitement by millions of people across the world," said FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke, who will conduct the draw.

"It will reignite the 2010 FIFA World Cup fever not just in the host country but also in the qualified countries, where excitement is mounting as we draw nearer to next year's FIFA flagship event."

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will produce the Final Draw show, while HBS (Host Broadcasting Services) will deliver broadcast signals worldwide.

After producing two world-class draw shows - the Preliminary Draw in Durban in November 2007, and FIFA Confederations Cup draw in Johannesburg in November 2008 - the SABC has again commissioned Combined Artists to enhance the show.

"This Final Draw has all the ingredients to capture the imagination of the watching world," said 2010 Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Danny Jordaan.

"We look forward to finally welcoming the 32 qualifying countries to Africa to share in the rhythm and energy of our continent, and are certain that this event will provide the perfect prelude to Africa's first FIFA World Cup."