Limpopo gymnaestrada
4 July 2007
Programme Director, the Executive Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality �
C M Monakedi. Ladies & gentlemen. All protocol observed.
You see in front of you tonight, a group of young people bursting with
energy and excitement. These participants are being afforded the opportunity to
see a country other than the one they know and to participate in one of the
greatest events on the world sports calendar.
We can tell from their stellar performance they have worked hard for this
moment and that they are eager to still work hard with the rest of the South
African team, to truly contribute to this international showcase of talent at
the 2007 World Gymnaestrada in Austria.
This event, being one of participation and not competition, means that these
youths are now considered ambassadors of their respective communities, their
province and their country. They will be carrying the flag high in Austria and
they will be a true portrait of the youth of South Africa today. We are
therefore more than confident to send this beautiful, talented group of young
people abroad, to represent the Limpopo province.
At the gymnaestrada, the South African team will be performing in an
exclusively South African evening show and the theme chosen for the South
African evening is 'Simunye � we are one'. This is in line with the World
Gymnaestrada's theme of 'Come together � be one.' Does this not also address
directly the aspirations and hopes for South Africa's immediate future?
The theme is also more than appropriate, as it once again reverberates one
unwavering fact that I have alluded to so often in the past that sport has
been, and will continue to be, one of the main contributing factors to South
Africa's social cohesion and unity. There are many examples of this in the
recent history of our country and with more of these projects and the right
support of our youth, I believe there will be even more examples in future.
Programme director, the success of Sport and Recreation's Siyadlala Mass
Participation Programme is herewith further emphasised and the results of the
programme can clearly be seen here tonight. Mass participation is the breeding
ground for future talent and a significant success story for government, when
it comes to unearthing talent in areas that have been previously overlooked. It
is affording us the opportunity to witness true integration, it is integral in
the uplifting of communities and key in reviving dormant talent and enthusiasm
for sport.
In closing, Programme Director, I wish to congratulate all the parents who
are with us tonight some of whom have travelled from afar to share this evening
with us. I have no doubt that they are bursting with pride at their children's
achievements.
I also implore the coaches, officials and managers accompanying them, to
take this responsibility seriously and to give them all the support they will
need. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable trip and leave you with this message
from the International Federation of Gymnastics:
'Participants, you will be part of a spectacular that has no judges, no
scores. No losers, only winners. Unity and recognition, instead of competition
- A festival of getting together, friendship and solidarity in a marvellous and
worldwide incomparable sports event.'
I thank you
Ke a leboga
Ndzi khensile
Ndo livhuwa
Shukran
Baie dankie
Issued by: Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Limpopo Provincial
Government
4 July 2007
