Africa's biggest economy has shrugged off persistent scepticism about its ability to stage the world's most watched sporting event and it pulled out all the stops for the draw, which will decide the first round matches among the 32 teams.
Organisers fielded three Nobel Prize winners including Mandela, Africa's most respected statesman, while its famous actress, Oscar winner Charlize Theron, hosted the draw.
International soccer greats, including England's David Beckham and former players Eusebio of Portugal, Roger Milla of Cameroon, Germany's Franz Beckenbauer and France's Michel Platini, who is the UEFA president, were also present.
As promised, the ceremony, watched by an estimated world television audience of 250 million from 200 countries, had a distinctly continental flavour with African dance troupes and singers fronted by Angelique Kidjo from Benin.
SINGULAR HONOUR
"We feel privileged and humbled that South Africa has been given the singular honour" of holding Africa's first World Cup, he said.
"We must strive for excellence... to ensure the event leaves a lasting legacy for all our people," added Mandela, who became South Africa's first post-apartheid president in 1994 after spending 27 years in jail.
Current President Jacob Zuma, who also took part in the ceremony, said "We are very proud as South Africans and Africans" to host the World Cup, adding that everything was ready and on schedule for the tournament.
