28 October 2007
Thousands of supporters gathered in Durban this morning, 28 October 2007, to
welcome the Springboks to KwaZulu-Natal.
The province is home to a number of players from the Springbok Rugby Team,
including Captain John Smit.
Welcoming the Springboks to KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso
Ndebele said: "Today we welcome, in victory, the Rugby World Cup Champions to
KwaZulu-Natal. The real world champions are South Africans."
"We say:
* this victory is a victory for each member of the Springbok team,
* this victory is a victory for the administrators and sponsors,
* this victory is a victory for the supporters,
* it is a victory for the millions of our people in Umhlanga and
Westville,
* it also belongs to our people in Umlazi and KwaMashu,
* this victory belongs to the people of Amanzimtoti, Queensburgh, Stanger,
Chatsworth, Ulundi and Eshowe,
* this victory belongs to all of us."
"The people of KwaZulu-Natal say welcome to the Bokke. This cup belongs to
South Africa and it is going to stay in South Africa. We have demonstrated that
in 1995, now in 2007 and we will do it again in 2011.
"To reach the finals of the Rugby World Cup is, indeed, a remarkable
achievement. Thank you for bringing us the victory. On behalf of the government
and people of KwaZulu-Natal, we are extremely proud of the spectacular
performance by the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup Final in France, and
particularly the fact that a number of the players hail from the province of
KwaZulu-Natal. We also want to commend the spirit of unity displayed by the
entire nation. The Rugby World Cup was played on 20 October 2007. As we head
towards the 2010 Federation International Football Association (Fifa) Soccer
World Cup let us enhance this spirit of unity," said Premier Ndebele.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government in conjunction with the eThekwini
Municipality rolled out the red carpet for the Springboks when they toured
Durban today, 28 October 2007. The province hosted the boys in green and gold
in a victory celebration in honour of the Springboks achievements in winning
the International Rugby Board (IRB) Rugby World Cup 2007 in France on 20
October 2007.
Premier Ndebele accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport and Recreation
Amichand Rajbansi as well as eThekwini Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo and provincial
Director-General Kwazi Mbanjwa welcomed the Springboks to the province.
Contact:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
28 October 2007
