The Minister's message to the swimming team:
It is with a great sense of joy and pride that I write down these few lines to you and your leadership collective to wish Team South Africa the best of luck as they embark on yet another journey defend our national sovereignty and pride. We do this with full confidence that you will keep our flag flying high on the global pedestal of competitive swimming.
We have no shadow of doubt that in this team our country has true heroes and heroines of our time. You story will continue to be told by many generations for decades to come that when a question bellowed, ‘who shall Mzansi send to defend her pride in Shanghai?’ you rose to the occasion and stood fearlessly as our last line of national defence.
We are inspired that, like true warriors of Africa, you put your act where most dared only put their lips. You walked the talk and earned the right to national regalia of sport battle. You are indeed the best of the best! What you have traversed this far is not a walk in the park but a journey punctuated by baptism although fierce fires of competition to separate warriors from cadets.
On behalf of the government of the Republic of South Africa and the entire Sport loving community of South Africa, rest assured of South Africa’s rhythm and ululation each time you dive courageously into that aqueous terrain of battle.
We know that you will do our nation proud and come back victorious to sharpen your arsenals even further in preparation for the ultimate battlefield in London, 2012 Olympics.
Our message to you is simple, “Go out there, enjoy yourselves, prove your worth and conquer the world, for you are sons and daughters of warriors. Sons and daughters born of the soil that raised the big world Icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, whose birthday we will be celebrating in a few days!”
Halala Team South Africa, Halala…. We are behind you all the way!!!
