Johannesburg - The preliminary draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, the first official FIFA event on African soil, is to feature some of Africa's finest talent.

The 2010 FIFA preliminary draw scheduled to take place in Durban on 25 November is set to see Africa's top artists perform to a global audience of millions in 170 countries, said Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan.

Speaking at the South African Football Association (SAFA) House Wednesday, Mr Jordaan said: "The exciting artist line-up includes the voice and spirit of the world-famous Lion King musical, Lebo M, along with one of the show's famous characters."

He further added that Freshly Ground, the home-grown group that features a truly African flavour which last year won a European Music Award, will also be featuring on the day.

The celebrated Soweto String Quartet, whose music is a fusion of the dance rhythms of Kwela, mbanqanga and swaying African Jazz will also be part of the event on the night.

Judith Sephuma, whose debut album "A cry, A smile, A Dance" was released in 2001 and garnered several awards, will also be part of the show line-up, he said.

"This is our finest opportunity to host a preliminary draw that will really capture the attention of the world. I know this event is going to blow the minds of the world.

"As South Africans, we need to hold together and be one single team. If we can do that, I know FIFA's first event on African soil will be a tremendous success. I have all the confidence that we will achieve that. I know it will be a great event," said the CEO.

A special stage of over 6km's of pine wood has also been constructed to showcase the performers on the night of the draw.

The specially constructed stage will also feature revolving platforms and a specially built arena for the orchestra.

KwaZulu-Natal will host 2010 matches and Confederations Cup matches in 2009, at the Moses Mabhida stadium.

Infrastructure preparations include the King Senzakhona International Airport, which will cost R6.8 billion.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, is tipped to cost R2.2 billion.

Earlier this year, the KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Office said municipalities will have to define the Zulu brand and sell it to the international visitors coming to the World Cup preliminary draw.

The Zulu brand must be upheld through the courteous and royal treatment of guests at the airport, he said.

"When they arrive we must make sure they do not want to go back. The totality of their experience must be such that they will want to come back to our province in the time leading to 2010 and beyond," said Mr Ndebele at the time.

"This will afford us an opportunity to position and showcase ourselves from the tourism and investment point of view."

He said KwaZulu-Natal's participation in the Soccerex conference in November will be another opportunity to market the province to an international audience.

Soccerex is an international business-to-business soccer exhibition to be held in Johannesburg.