Mary Papayya

Mary Papayya

The 2010 Fifa World Cup Preliminary Draw, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Sunday, has been hailed as an overwhelming success.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele said the event was a "victory" for the province. He was speaking at the swearing in of acting premier Zweli Mkhize yesterday.

Mkhize was sworn in as acting premier because Ndebele has been requested by the ANC secretary-general to officially represent the ANC at the Swapo congress in Namibia this week.

"The overwhelming success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Preliminary Draw is not only a major victory for South Africa but also for KwaZulu-Natal.

"The entire programme, including events which were planned as part of the build-up to the preliminary draw, was undoubtedly a success," he said.

Ndebele said Fifa president Sepp Blatter, together with the entire Fifa leadership, as well as LOC head Irvin Khoza and the rest of the LOC leadership were all thoroughly impressed.

Durban city manager Michael Sutcliffe said he was delighted with the event.

"We certainly raised the bar and showcased African excellence to the world. We also showed the international community that the Fifa preliminary draw is a very entertaining event."

Sutcliffe and Ndebele also paid tribute to law enforcement agencies.