Johannesburg, June 9 (ANI): The opening ceremony of the World Cup will see the music of the late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe being used, the event's organisers have announced.
Ntshebe, 34, died of meningitis last month, and was personally chosen by former president Nelson Mandela to perform.
The BBC quoted organisers, as saying that his music would be used as "a tribute both to his music and memory and to the indomitable spirit of South Africa".
His song - Hope - will also be released as a single.
In a statement, Mandela said: "Very rarely does life put across your path a meritorious person with such outstanding singing ability. Such was the person of Siphiwo Desmond Ntshebe. It is some comfort, given the tragedy of Siphiwo's early death, that as the world's spotlight falls on South Africa millions of people across the globe will have the chance to hear and be uplifted by Siphiwo's wonderful music."
"It is, of course, the greatest sadness that he will not be here to sing it but we can all be thankful that he completed recording his inspirational album before his death," he added.
Mandela and Ntshebe's family have also agreed to Epic Records releasing am album - also called Hope - which the singer completed just before he died.
The single features a message of hope, which was written and spoken by Mandela himself. (ANI)
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