Programme director
MEC’s here present
MPL’s here present
The Executive Mayor of Mopani District Municipality, Councillor J Matlou
The Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Elderman O J Mushwana
Local mayors here present
Our esteemed traditional leaders, religious leaders and traditional healers
Our senior citizens
The youth of our country business leaders Members of the media Ladies and gentlemen
All protocol observed
We have finally arrived! You can feel the energy and excitement in the air! We are in the home stretch for the hosting of the biggest sporting spectacular in the world. Welcome to the viewing of the second day of matches in the Festival of Champions. For the next 13 days, we will be on the edge of our seats, as we watch the talented displays of some of the greatest names in world soccer, right here in our country!
Programme director,
The past weekend’s activities in the host city of Polokwane, as well as today’s programme, is a true forerunner and a preparatory exercise of what is expected of us in 2010. It is an honest opportunity for us to take stock of what we have achieved towards our preparedness to host the FIFA 2010 World Cup. At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to share the excitement of this event with all of the citizens of Limpopo, even on the periphery of the province.
Much has been debated around ensuring that 2010 becomes accessible to all in Limpopo and that this spectacular leaves a legacy for posterity. The FIFA Confederations Cup is therefore no small event to contend with. It is our dress rehearsal for 2010 and brings with it the exciting prospects of giving the world a taste of what to expect next year. We have no doubt that the Confederations Cup will entice even more visitors to our shores, having seen the unique and colourful cultures and scenery that South Africa has to offer.
Programme director,
On 11 June 2009, the State of the Province Address by Premier Cassel Mathale was brought to the people of the province at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. This is an affirmation of the ANC-led government’s renewed efforts to include our people in all of our activities.
Today we reiterate this commitment to the people of this province. We want to assure you that you remain our first priority in the rolling out of our activities.
You have shown your support during the 22 April elections and our reply to this vote of confidence is that the citizens of this province can expect to be included in many more projects in future.
Programme director,
Premier Mathale, in his State of the Province Address, uttered an encouraging statement to all small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) when he said, and I quote: “As part of measures to create decent work and sustainable livelihoods, we shall ensure that 30 percent of our total procurement budget is used to procure goods from small micro and medium enterprises. This will be done in such a way that the youth, women and the disabled benefit.”
Further to this, we encourage SMME’s to make themselves aware of all 2010 related projects and gear themselves towards inclusion in all of these opportunities. This will be one of many ways for us to ensure that the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup remains long after the last game has been played.
It is encouraging to witness the dedication of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality in this pilot project of 2010 Public Viewing Areas and I wish to congratulate Councillor Mushwana and his committed staff for bringing this event to life. It is further heart-warming to note the involvement of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in this venture. We can always count on your support and positive interest in our endeavours and we thank you for the cooperation.
We acknowledge that the country - and the province no less - is feeling the effect of the global economic meltdown. However, we need to strengthen our efforts in finding an approach in which to conduct urgent business at hand, in unusual financial circumstances. We therefore call upon the business fraternity to explore all avenues of support in our efforts to host a successful World Cup.
Programme director,
We also need to look beyond just the financial and labour efforts in our projects aimed at 2010. We need a united force behind our preparations and we need to look no further than a united socially cohesive province. We implore all the citizens of Limpopo to put their differences aside and take hands to come together as one.
Let us take pride in all the unique aspects of this province and show respect for all people, regardless of cultural orientation. This World Cup belongs to all South Africans. We will not rest until every single citizen of the country and of the province feel part and parcel of the process. We concur with President Jacob Zuma who, in his State of the Nation Address reiterated how sport can be a powerful unifying force for nation building. When the world comes to South Africa, they need to see a united nation that welcomes all nations and countries to our shores with open arms.
The last time we converged in Nkowankowa, we were celebrating Africa Day under the theme of condemning xenophobia and any type of violence that is associated with this atrocious practice of having a fear and revulsion of people that are considered foreign to our country.
It is therefore even more significant that we come together here again today, as a token of our commitment to fighting this scourge. Our African brothers and sisters need to know that they too have ownership of Africa’s World Cup. Only then can we truly declare that we have gone the extra mile in creating peace and unison in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
I truly believe that the youth have a major role to play in these efforts. Tomorrow we will be celebrating the youth and remembering the events that unfolded in Soweto on 16 June 1976.
We therefore encourage the youth to take particular ownership of the FIFA 2010 World Cup projects and unite, as they did 33 years ago, behind a common cause. The youth are our future and we are building this legacy in particular for our children and their children, for generations to come.
Programme director,
We are looking forward to staging the Vodacom Challenge in Limpopo next month, when Orlando Pirates will be taking on Manchester City football club at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Following the FIFA Confederations Cup, we will also be rolling out Mass Mobilisation Projects in Limpopo, during which, we can assure you, communities will be swept up in the hype and the atmosphere of anticipation for the big event.
You will notice how Limpopo is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a multitude of build-up events towards 2010. When all of these projects are taken into consideration, it is sufficient to say that those prophets of doom - who prematurely conceded that we will not be ready - can now also agree that indeed – we are more than ready!
In closure I wish to applaud the efforts made by all role players involved in making today’s pilot project of Public Viewing Areas a success. Please enjoy everything on this programme and participate fully in all the excitement.
Forward to 2010.
Viva FIFA 2010 World Cup, Viva!
Halala FIFA Confederations Cup, Halala! Limpopo- Ke Nako!
I thank you!
Source: Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Province
