Statement by Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana during the press briefing to welcome wheelchair tennis champion Lucas Sithole at the O.R. Tambo International Airport
Programme Director,
South Africa’s world number two quad wheelchair tennis star, Lucas Sithole;
Wheelchair Tennis South Africa team;
Representatives of Airports Company South Africa
Members of the media
Congratulations to our star tennis player Lucas Sithole and the team from Wheelchair Tennis South Africa for a job well done! To have reached the finals of the Australian Open first in the quads doubles and now in the quads singles is a remarkable feat indeed. Lucas has earned his place as South Africa’s number One ranked player in the quad division and number two on the world rankings.
From time to time, a star, not from out of space but from among us, shoots to the sky reminding us that in spite of whatever challenges we may face we are capable of so much more.
Lucas Sithole is a star because he has done what many of us dream of but lack the courage to pursue and attain.
Through his heroic struggle inside and outside the tennis court, you have not only put South Africa on the map but he has given people from all walks of life, especially those with disabilities, hope that anything is possible if one is determined to succeed.
Lucas’ sporting success clearly demonstrates to us that if we equalise opportunities for women, children, and people with disabilities, they would be able to realise their dreams and even go on to make the whole country proud.
As government we have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities which according to Article 30 obligates States Parties to take appropriate measures to enable persons with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in recreational, leisure and sporting activities.
Thus, we have committed ourselves to domesticating the convention into policy and legislation. We continue to play a key role in ensuring that all parties concerned with the development and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities work together in realising the aspirations of persons with disabilities.
The fruit of that collaboration is witnessed today as Wheelchair Tennis South Africa, Airports Company South Africa, the Government and other partners such as the National Lottery have worked together in ensuring that Lucas realises his dreams.
We therefore call for more collaborative efforts like this one in order to equalise opportunities for persons with disabilities so that we can produce more Lucas Sitholes in other sporting codes as well.
I thank you.
