The golden boy of swimming and sensational World Record setter, Cameron van der Burgh, visited Ekhaya Hospitality Centre, SouthBank, London this afternoon, to show off the gold medal he won yesterday during the 100 meters Breastroke final in the London 2012 Olympics.
Van den Burgh, accompanied by Team SA Chef de Mission, Ms Patience Shikwambana, was welcomed by the Minister of Sport and Recreation SA, Fikile Mbalula, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, the High Commissioner, Dr Zola Skweyiya and Director General of Sport and Recreation SA, Mr. Alec Moemi. The Queen Elizabeth Hall was full of ululations and blazing sounds of vuvuzela from South Africans living in abroad and those who are there for Olympics.
Amongst those who came to congratulate Cameron were SAFA President Kirsten Nematendani, AFCON CEO Mvuso Mvebe, Musicians Thandiswa Mazwai and Dj Mahoota, Supersport's Happy Ntshingila, businessman Sello Rasethaba, Comedian Joey Rasdien, Team SA Ambassadors, Lucas Radebe and Cynthia Tshaka and hundreds of South Africans.
Addressing his fans and countrymen and women, Van der Burgh said "It's a great feeling winning the medal for my country. When I grew up, I used to paste posters of swimmers like Penny Heyns and always believed one day I will be like them. Today I am living that dream.".
He further stated that he is encouraged that he is inspiring the new generation to do more and better than him.
The elated Minister Fikile Mbalula told Cameron that South Africa is proud of him.
"You made every South African proud. You profiled the country amongst the nations of the world and motivated your fellow athletes to do us proud by also representing on the podium glory" said Minister Mbalula.
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