World Cup Opera Singer Siphiwo Ntshebe Dies From Meningitis

An opera singer due to perform at the World Cup opening ceremony in South Africa next month has died from meningitis.

Siphiwo Ntshebe, 34, was rushed to a Port Elizabeth hospital last week and died on Tuesday (May 25).

Ntshebe, who studied music in London, had been chosen to perform his song ‘Hope’ by Nelson Mandela.

At the time, Mandela praised the singer’s enduring talent, saying he had “chosen to work hard at a better future".

Epic Record boss Nick Raphael told the BBC that his death was "a tragedy for all those who believe in the power of music".

It has not yet been decided whether the song - or an accompany album of the same name - will be released.

As previously reported on Gigwise, Shakira is among the acts set to perform at the opening ceremony in Soweto on June 10.