The World Cup organising committee South Africa has expressed its condolences to the friends and family of singer Siphiwo Ntshebe who died on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old tenor had been handpicked by former president Nelson Mandela to convey a message of hope at the opening ceremony of the World Cup on June 11.
He passed away after a short illness.
Organising Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan expressed shock at the news of Ntshebe's death.
"We are saddened to hear of this young man's death. He was a prodigious talent who would have taken a message of hope from the World Cup to the whole world. It is a sad day indeed for South Africa's art and football communities." said Jordaan. - Sapa