Johannesburg – Preparations for the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day are on track, Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday.
“It's going to be a spectacular in terms of sports and performances,” Mbalula told journalists at FNB stadium in Soweto.
“We are ready. For the first time we will be bringing premier sporting codes on the same field on the same day.”
The event will feature a Bafana Bafana match against Burkina Faso and the Springboks playing against Argentina on Saturday. It will start with a dinner on Friday evening to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital.
Former presidents Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, and deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe are some of the expected guests.
“All logistics are in place... performers and teams are ready.”
Passenger Rail Agency of SA CEO Lucky Montana said trains would provide free transport for fans.
“We have made capacity for 40,000 people from across the country. Trains will haul people in from everywhere... 50 buses will also be available to shuttle fans,” he said. – Sapa