Whitey Jacobs, at the sod-turning ceremony of a multi-million rands sport
complex, Gansbaai
25 November 2006
Today marks the beginning of yet another important chapter in our collective
resolve to improve the lot of our people, in particular rural and marginalised
communities.
Together with our partners of change, we have combined resources to
accelerate service delivery and make a contribution in the fight against rural
underdevelopment.
We are gathered here to launch a multi-million rand project marking the
commencement of construction for the first phase of this project. This has been
made possible by few corporate citizens of goodwill.
It is therefore quite opportune to acknowledge the contribution of our
partners in a project of this immense significance. Allow me to congratulate
the vision of Mr Lutzeyer of the Grootbos Foundation for initiating this
partnership. Your intuition to knock at the right door was undoubtedly
motivated by your commitment to community service and we will be forever
indebted to you.
I want to take advantage of this platform to salute ABSA-Barclays for giving
so generously to this project. Your involvement in this project epitomises the
kind of corporate citizenry our country needs so desperately to realise the
vision of a better South Africa.
Your worthwhile contribution will assist us greatly as we strive to level
the playing fields. We are indeed heartened by the generous contribution of
Manchester United Football Club. Your monetary contribution together with your
commitment to provide a durable artificial surface to ensure low maintenance is
greatly appreciated. Through this gesture of goodwill, our young players will
have opportunities they could never have.
Ladies and gentlemen, this project must not be seen in isolation, it is part
of our broad objectives to establish strategic partnerships with the private
sector as a means to accelerate development and service delivery.
The stark realities created by the architects of apartheid still stare us in
our faces. This partnership will assist us greatly in addressing these
disparities. Through these facilities we have an opportunity to bridge the
racial divide between our communities. Social cohesion is about providing an
environment for it to thrive and we believe that these facilities will not only
provide access to recreation activities but will contribute significantly
towards building this community.
One of our strategic objectives is building human and social capital. Our
Department through its mandate plays a critical and central role on delivering
that mandate. Obviously this is a mammoth task for government alone; we rely
heavily on public-private partnerships to make a meaningful impact given the
backlog of facilities in our communities, especially in rural communities.
The relationship with local government as they are the face of government is
critically important. In this regard we salute the local municipality for
coming to the party. I have no doubt that other municipalities would have had
serious problems making the commitments you did. The contribution of so many
hectares of land for this project is highly appreciated.
We have no doubt that you took this decision conscious of your investment in
the future of sport in your region. With a few years left before the greatest
showpiece on earth, 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association
(FIFA) World Cup, I am certain you could not have had a better investment than
to create conditions to unearth talent with the potential to be in 2010 Bafana
Bafana team.
The Department is proud to be associated with this project and we will
ensure that our resources are strategically deployed to further enhance it.
Allow me to thank the project team for their hard work during the planning
stages and for having come this far.
We have confidence that deadlines will be met under your capable leadership.
It is equally in our interest that these facilities are delivered as scheduled
so that sport in this region could be taken to greater heights.
These facilities upon completion also have the potential to be utilised as
base camps or for fan park purposes during the 2010 World Cup.
Let the construction begin.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Mandla Yeki
Tel: (021) 483 9804
Cell: 079 511 2087
Issued by: Department of Sport and Cultural Affairs, Western Cape Provincial
Government
25 November 2006
