The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a significant contribution to a better life for all, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told the post 2010 World Cup media briefing organised by South African Tourism and the South African High Commission on 15 September 2010 in the United Kingdom.
"The creation of a better life for all is our central national enterprise. The world cup itself was a significant contribution to a better life for all", said the Deputy President.
The Deputy President said he is inspired by the positive shift in global perception towards South Africa and the African continent. He attributed the shift to years of focused attention and many hours of media broadcasts "that reached more than 200 territories around the world during the tournament".
The Deputy President said South Africa worked with the private sector in many ways, both domestically and internationally, and repositioned the country as one that is developing rapidly and a major competitor in hosting global events.
The Deputy President pointed out that a survey conducted by YouGovStone before the world cup tournament was discouraging in that only 29 percent of those polled thought that the world cup in South Africa would be a success; and that nearly 60 percent expected that there would be problems with security, transport and logistics and that the average South African would not benefit from the event.
"In a post world cup survey conducted by the same YouGovStone, a positive shift in attitudes towards South Africa was apparent. It revealed that: 72 percent believed that the world cup would have a very positive or positive legacy for South Africa, compared to the 29 percent of those polled before the event, who had thought it would be a success; 54 percent thought that it would bring great benefits to South Africa; 61 percent said that as a result of the success of the world cup, they thought that South Africa would be a good place to hold global events of all kind and that 42percent felt more positive about visiting South Africa as tourists," the deputy president said.
The deputy president used the media briefing to thank all South Africa's ambassadors and members of the diplomatic community for their efforts in showcasing our "diversity in areas such as arts, culture, heritage, music, cuisine and dance all over the world".
Deputy President Motlanthe is in the United Kingdom on a two day working visit to strengthen bilateral relations, meet the investment community and address The Economist Summit on Emerging Markets.
The deputy president is supported on this visit by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu and International Relations and Cooperation’s Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim.
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Source: The Presidency
Deputy President Motlanthe says world cup was a significant contribution to a better life for all
