The 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC) took another important step in the organisation of the tournament today when it announced the appointment of eight of the 10 Venue Managers required for the event.

The OC's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the appointment of the Venue Managers, who were announced at a press conference at SAFA House today, came at a very important time for the Organising Committee.

"After the Beijing Olympics, there will be only one big show on earth and that is the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Media interest in the World Cup will intensify and from an organising point of view we need to move from a centrally based headquarter to a decentralised structure. In each Host City we must begin to build a structure that will deliver this World Cup in all 10 Host Cities the event will take place in, with the infrastructure required to deliver in each of those cities. The appointment of the Venue Managers is therefore a first step and a very important step in that process," said Dr Jordaan.

The OC today formally announced the appointment as Venue Managers of prominent football personalities Mandla Mazibuko (Tshwane/Pretoria/ Loftus Versfeld Stadium), Veli Mahlangu (Mbombela/Nelspruit/ Mbombela Stadium), Mmbulaheni Kirsten Nematandani (Polokwane/ Peter Mokaba Stadium) and Derek Blanckensee (Johannesburg/ Ellis Park for the FIFA Confederations Cup and Soccer City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup).

The other Venue Managers appointed, who are also well known in football and administrative circles were Teral Cullen (Cape Town/ Green Point Stadium), Mpho Colin Modisakeng (Rustenburg/Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace), Achileus Charalambous (Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth/ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium) and Bongi Hlophe (Durban/ Durban Stadium).

Blanckensee, the former Wits University Football Club Chief Executive Officer, will be the Venue Manager at Ellis Park for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and then move to Soccer City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The OC is currently finalising the appointment of the Venue Manager at Mangaung/Bloemfontein and the person who will replace Blanckensee at Ellis Park for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, following the FIFA Confederations Cup.

OC Venue Managers will be responsible for leading and managing the Venue Operations in the Host Cities for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Venue Managers are also responsible for the delivery of these events by managing and implementing working relationships between the Organising Committee's Headquarters and other key role players, such as the Host City representatives, Provincial Government and local football structures affiliated to the South African Football Association.

The OC's Chief Officer of Competitions, Dennis Mumble, said the Venue Managers were chosen for their extensive administrative experience, as well as their experience of working for many years in South African football and 2010 organising structures.

"The Venue Managers are the key components of the system we have put together to deliver the World Cup. And it is our pleasure at the Organising Committee to welcome them on board. They are people with strong administrative and events backgrounds, who have also had great exposure to this particular sport in South Africa for many years," said Mr Mumble.

At the press conference, the OC also updated the media on the preparations for the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, which will take place from 14 June to 28 June 2009 at Ellis Park, Loftus Versfeld, Free State Stadium and Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace. Tickets for the Confederations Cup, for which European champions Spain, South American champions Brazil, African champions Egypt, Asian champions Iraq, CONCACAF champions United States, hosts South Africa and reigning world champions Italy have already qualified, will go on sale on 23 November 2008. The Confederations Cup draw takes place in Johannesburg on 22 November 2008.

Profiles of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Venue Managers:

MANDLA "Shoes" MAZIBUKO - TSHWANE/PRETORIA (LOFTUS VERSFELD)
• 12 years as a teacher
• 7 years as Residence Manager of the School Of Excellence in South Africa (a school aimed at specifically developing the talents of youth with football excellence)
• 3 years as Deputy Director General in Gauteng Provincial Government as the Head of the 2010 Project Team for Gauteng Government
• 4 years as a Member of the National Executive Committee of SAFA and Chairman of Youth Affairs (and is currently still serving in both positions)
• President of Schools Football in South Africa (USSASA) - and currently still serving in this position
• Head of delegation of the South African National Team (BAFANA BAFANA)
• Member of various Football Executive Committees at Regional Level
• Manager of various age level football teams at Regional and national level
DEREK BLANCKENSEE - JOHANNESBURG (ELLIS PARK (FCC) and then SOCCER CITY (FWC)
• 9 years as CEO and or General Manager of WITS UNIVIERSITY FC - a PSL club in South Africa
• 14 years as a lecturer in Construction Economics and management at Wits University
• 3 years as Project Engineer at SAMANCOR
• Member of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations Organising Committee, responsible for transport management
• 5 years as a Member of the National Executive Committee of SAFA (in its founding years)
• Member of various Football Executive Committees at Regional Level

TERAL CULLEN - CAPE TOWN (GREEN POINT)
• 2 years as the Head of the City of Cape Town's 2010 Office
• 5 years at the South African Football Association Administration - as :
• Strategic Project Co-ordinator in the CEO's Office
• Director: Marketing
• 2 years as a Wireline Engineer for Schumberger Oil Field Services, posted in France, Egypt and Tunisia
• 3 years as Geologist at Anglo America Prospecting Services

MPHO COLIN MODISAKENG - RUSTENBURG (ROYAL BAFOKENG)
• 2 years and 8 months as Manager Business Development: Mining & Construction at Royal Bafokeng Administration
• 3 years Director Planning & Development Rustenburg Municipality
• 3 years Employee Relations and Communications Officer Rustenburg Municipality
• 3 years as Masakhane Co-ordinator Rustenburg Municipality

MMBULAHENI KIRSTEN NEMATANDANI - POLOKWANE (PETER MOKABA)
• 6 years as a Lecturer in Mathematics and Physical education at Tshisimani College of Education
• 4 years Deputy Director: Sport and Recreation Polokwane
• 5 years Director: Sport and Recreation Polokwane
• 3 years as Project Engineer at SAMANCOR
• 11 years as a Member of the National Executive Committee of SAFA, chairing the Youth Committee, Competitions and currently heading the Legacy and Referees Committees as well)
• Member of various Football Executive Committees at Regional Level

ACHILEUS CHARALAMBOUS - NELSON MANDELA BAY (NELSON MANDELA BAY STADIUM)
• 23 years as an Academic Senior Lecturer in Applied Accounting and Acting Head of Department: Financial Management
• 6 years Accountant and Administration Manager Kahn Brothers Furnishers
• Chairman and Treasure of the Hellenic Community of Port Elizabeth since 1995
• 8 years Treasure of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (Port Elizabeth)
• 17 years as treasurer of the Provincial Football Association in Port Elizabeth
• Current Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee of SAFA (National level)
• Member of various Football Executive Committees at Regional Level

BONGI HLOPE - DURBAN (DURBAN STADIUM)

• 6 Years as the Deputy President of SAFA National Midlands
• 4 Years Management Accountant at Unilever
• 3 Years Financial Accountant at SAB Miller
• 1 Year Project Accountant with eThekwini Municipality
• 4 Years represented First Division Clubs in the B.O.G of the PSL
• 5 Years served in the competitions Committee of SAFA
• 4 Years SAFA observer in the FIFA Youth Championship in Holland
• 2 Years tasked by the President of SAFA to the ad hoc committee on audit and delimitations of metro regions
• 4 Years served as Managing Director of Amazulu F.C
• 9 Years Chair in Various Committees in the structures of the Umgungundlovu Football Association

VELI MAHLANGU - Mbombela/Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium)

• 8 Years Chief Executive Officer - Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Corporation
• 1 Year ANC Chief Whip for the Provincial Legislature
• 2 Years Chairperson - Finance and Economic Committee
• 1 Year Chairperson of Portfolio - Committee of Economic Affairs and Gaming
• 4 Years Minister of Finance & Economic Affairs - Kwandebele Government
• 1 Year Member Provincial Legislature - Mpumalanga Provincial Government
• Owner/ Chairperson Witbank Aces Soccer League (a Premier Soccer League)
• CAF & FIFA Match Commissioner
• 5 Years National Executive Member of SAFA, serving on the International Board, Convening the Technical Committee and the Finance Committee