Honourable Gauteng Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
Mayor of the West Rand District Municipality, Councillor Nawa
CAF Senior Vice-President, Molefi Oliphant
SAFA President Mr Kirsten Nematandani
Chairperson of the AWC Local Organising Committee, Ms Nomsa Mahlangu
Banyana Banyana and all soccer teams present
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to welcome all our guests into the country for this important African Women’s Championship tournament.
Just a few months ago, South Africa was engulfed in a massive football fever as we hosted the world for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament.
The colour, glory and excitement that accompanied the tournament will stay in our memories for many years to come, as continents came together to speak one language, the love of the beautiful game.
Most importantly, we were able to prove that as the African continent we were capable of hosting an event of that magnitude.
We were humbled to host the tournament on behalf of the African continent.
We received enormous support from our brothers and sisters in the continent during the World Cup, and we are grateful for that.
Many Heads of State and government took time off their hectic schedules to attend the tournament and made it a truly African celebration.
It is a somewhat natural progression that we now host a competition that showcases African women’s soccer talent.
Let me take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome and good wishes to the women’s teams from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria, Tanzania, Mali and the defending champions, Equatorial Guinea.
All the teams will have a busy month ahead of them. They have our unwavering support as the South African government and the South African people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The tournament is a special occasion, as it is a celebration of the progress of women’s football on the African continent.
This is more so given that the African Women’s Championship is the qualifying tournament for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
We urge South Africans and fans from all over the continent to support the tournament. We must do this because we love football, but also because of the important social transformation aspects of the CAF tournament.
If promoted effectively, the tournament will help us to effectively highlight the concept of women’s soccer, and eradicate the stereotype that this is a male sport.
In the past, women in soccer were personified only as cheerleaders, footballers’ wives, sisters or girlfriends, and hardly as players deserving of respect for their expertise.
Our eight teams will demonstrate that women are proficient soccer players and that they can capture the imagination of both male and female fans. They have already done so in a number of matches.
Another important element and objective is to ensure that women’s soccer is elevated to the level where it can also attract sponsorships from the business community.
It is well-known that men’s soccer teams normally receive all the accolades, recognition and sponsorships, while the women’s teams soldier on quietly.
Women’s teams all over the world have been fighting quietly for recognition from the public, sponsors and from their male counterparts. And they deserve such recognition.
It may surprise many that Banyana Banyana played their first international friendly against Swaziland on 30 May 1993.
Banyana Banyana also entered the qualifying stages of the Women’s World Cup in 1994. They have paid their dues. And so have many women’s teams across the continent.
We have really been scoring own goals by ignoring the efforts of these brilliant women. They are not merely football players; they are role models especially for our girl children.
They prove to them that women can play any sport they want, and can achieve anything they want to achieve.
Our message this evening is that we must salute these talented players, and work together to provide the support that they need to reach the top.
Their success inspires other African women to aspire to greater heights in the sporting field and other areas.
When they see young, successful African women who have emerged from their communities, they know that they too can achieve success.
The African continent and the world are looking to see what else can come out of Africa, in the aftermath of the World Cup.
Let us make this the best African Women’s Championship ever.
Let us show them our country and our continent at their best once again.
I wish the CAF Local Organising Committee, the SA Football Association, the coaches and all teams the best of success during the tournament.
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
