Bongi Hlophe, former Maritzburg United owner, is the latest top South African soccer administrator to be appointed a 2010 Fifa World Cup venue manager by the Local Organising Committee.

Bongi Hlophe, former Maritzburg United owner, is the latest top South African soccer administrator to be appointed a 2010 Fifa World Cup venue manager by the Local Organising Committee.

The influential Hlophe will start his new job as the venue manager of Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 1 after he was appointed two weeks ago.

Dennis Mumble, the LOC's chief competitions manager, has confirmed that Hlophe, a former Premier Soccer League First Division representative on the board of governors, has joined them.

"It's a great honour that I have been appointed to serve as venue manager of Moses Mabhida Stadium. The World Cup is a big event and will need the support of all South Africans to be an even greater soccer fiesta," said Hlophe.

This is also in line with a commitment by the LOC top brass at the South African Football Association national executive committee two weeks ago that they were on a mission to recruit senior administrators to serve in various capacities at the LOC.

It came after former Bafana Bafana head of delegation, Mandla "Shoes" Mazibuko and former Safa executive member Derek Blanckensee, were appointed venue managers at Loftus and Ellis Park stadiums, respectively, two months ago.

Last month, Safa executive member Kirsten Nematendani, one of the people tipped to take over from Molefi Oliphant as president of the federation, was named as venue manager of Peter Mokaba Sports Complex in Polokwane.

Sowetan believes that Mpho Modiseng has been appointed venue manager of Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.