ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 scored a major coup this week when South African-born CNN International news anchor Tumi Makgabo was confirmed as compere for the Opening Ceremony scheduled for Cape Town on February 8.

A former anchor of the SABC 3 current affairs and news programme NewsHour, as well as SAfm's AM Live, Ms Makgabo joined CNN in July 2000 and has covered a number of huge world events including US Presidential elections, the Middle East conflict, the fall of Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, and the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban last year. She has also interviewed world leaders and personalities including SA President Thabo Mbeki, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mozambican President Joachim Chissano, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, former Pakistan cricket star Imran Khan and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mary Robinson.

Announcing the selection of Ms Makgabo, Executive Director Cup 2003 Dr Ali Bacher said he was delighted that she has agreed to be part of a show expected to be the best in Africa in sporting terms.

The multi-lingual Ms Makgabo currently hosts "Inside Africa", a programme showcasing economic, social, cultural and other trends on the African continent.

The opening ceremony will start at 20h30 and end at 22h30 and 5 000 volunteer artists will be performing during a "stadium theatre" show directed by Penny Jones and her crew. It is expected that 25 000 people will fill the Newlands ground, while a TV viewership of 1-billion worldwide is envisaged. SABC 3 will beam the event live in South Africa.

© International Cricket Council