North West MEC for Human Settlements, Desbo Mohono, has conveyed her congratulations to the Ghana national soccer team for their heroic display during the current 2010 FIFA World Cup.
‘Ghana’s performance has done more than anything in our recent history to ignite the spirit of African unity and solidarity. They fought like true soldiers and died with their boots on,’ said Mohono.
Ghana was on the verge of making history by becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals. Mohono said, ‘Students of history will recall that Ghana was the first African country to be liberated from British colonial rule under the heroic leadership of Kwame Nkrumah. It would have been appropriate and fitting if Ghana, the torchbearers of African liberation to also lead on the football front by being the first African country to reach the semi-finals.’ Unfortunately, Ghana was knocked out in a painful and very heart-breaking manner.
‘For all of us who supported Ghana in their moments of triumph, we must equally support them in their moment of defeat. Ghana did not disgrace Africa. On the night, they were the better team,’ said Mohono who urged the people of South Africa to continue supporting the World Cup until the final whistle.
Mohono said that the outpouring of support across Africa for Ghana during the World Cup showed that the African spirit transcends colonial boundaries. ‘In the same spirit, we must reject xenophobia and other self-destructive tendencies. Xenophobia is a cancer that must be exorcised from our society. It was exposed and defeated. For the sake of Ghana, our African heritage and the future of our children, we must reject xenophobia and work tirelessly towards African unity and acceptance.’
Mohono paid tribute to the resolute and uncompromising support demonstrated by the people of South Africa to Bafana Bafana, Ghana and the tournament in general. ‘South Africans are true sportsmen and women. When Bafana Bafana failed to proceed to the next round, South Africans never lost interest in the tournament. This is one of the positive attributes that make us worthy hosts’.
The MEC further congratulated staff of the Department of Human Settlements for the contribution they made towards the success of the World Cup. ‘Among other things, our department organised a highly successful vuvuzela day in which we mobilised the people of our province to rally behind our national team and our collective efforts as a nation to make this year’s World Cup the best ever.’
Mohono said she was confident that when the final evaluation is done, a point will be made that the 2010 World Cup surpassed the previous ones in many respects. “The passionate atmosphere that reigned during and outside the games is incomparable. Our spirit of Ubuntu and the way we welcomed our visitors is something out of this world. Our tourist attractions and the beauty of our country were something our visitors will continue to talk about for many years to come.”
She said South Africa grabbed the opportunity presented by the World Cup to market our country and province as a tourist and investment destination of choice. “I am confident that the World Cup will leave a lasting legacy for our country. The full positive impact and economic contribution of this tournament will be felt by future generations for many years to come.”
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