Pretoria -Cape Town is a hive of excitement this morning ahead of this evening's anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw.

The streets were abuzz with people from all walks of life, singing and dancing to the melodies of the vuvuzela.

With 200 million people from 200 countries expected to tune in, the Mother City is preparing the final touches for what has been billed to be a spectacular draw.

The draw, which is seen as one of the final steps on the road to the tournament, will determine which teams will face off against each other.

The event, which starts at 7pm from the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is expected to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma and Local Organising Committee chairman Danny Jordaan and will be presented by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and South African Academy Award winner Charlize Theron.

Hundreds of foreign journalists have also descended onto the city, along with British soccer star David Beckham and other soccer greats who will be part of tonight's show.

Other highlights include the world premier of the official mascot, Zakumi, buskers and carnival characters in football-themed outfits. .

Even though the event is expected to start at 7pm, over 15000 fans are expected to gather from noon at the Long Street Festival for a feast of festivities that will include artists like Freshly Ground, Jimmy Dludlu and Flat Stanley.

The festival stage is an exact replica of next year's FIFA Fan Fest stage on the Grand Parade.

At 2pm, FIFA president Sepp Blatter will launch the Fan Fest project.

The city has also assured the public that law enforcement agencies, along with private security agencies, have put in place a comprehensive security plan to deal with any security threats.

Cape Town - Excitement has gripped Capetonians and the rest of the world ahead of this evening's highly anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup Final Draw.

With hundreds of people dressed in Bafana Bafana shirts, the Mother City has been painted green and gold as it prepares for the city's biggest showcase.

More than 15 000 revellers are expected to gather at the Long Street festival, for the preview of next year's FIFA Fan Fest Stage in the Grand Parade.

Upper Long Street, from Wale to Buitnsigel Streets, will be converted into a festival zone for the Final Draw with enormous big screens placed around the party stretch of the Mother City.

Artists like Freshly Ground, Jimmy Dludla, Cassettee, TKZee, Francy Galanda and others are expected to entertain thousands of people ahead of the draw.

Cape Town 2010 spokesperson, Pieter Cronje said the Long Street festival area will have a video link to the city's International Convention Centre's Red Carpet Welcome.

"The main stage will be situated at the Long Street baths, with several huge television screens further down towards Wale Street. The stage performance will be complemented by buskers to embrace the festival theme.

"The festivities will start at noon with music and cultural performances with a South African and African flavor.

"Entrance to the festival is free and we expect thousands of Capetonians to congregate at Long Street to share in the world's excitement of the draw," he said.

Although the festivities will start at noon, the real action is only expected to pick-up from 5pm when local residents take off their stuffy work clothes and put on their dancing shoes.

The concert of Cape Town talent will commence at noon to 2pm, thereafter, the FIFA Fan Fest Project will be launched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter at 2:30pm..

A magnificent Draw Hall and stage fit for a king stands ready to play host to the dramatic proceedings.
It's taken 3 600 hours of manpower to set up the sprawling Draw Hall and 950 square metres of timber to construct the stunning African-inspired Draw stage.
Twenty seven of the 32 coaches have confirmed their attendance, including Brazil's Dunga, Portugal's Carlos Queiroz, England's Fabio Capello, Italy's Marcello Lippi, Spain's Vicente Del Bosque and of course South Africa's Carlos Alberto Parreira.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the draw while former President Nelson Mandela is expected to address the crowd through video message. South African Academy Award winner Charlize Theron will be one of the guest presenters who will assist FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.