Ministers and Deputy Ministers
President of FIFA Mr Sepp Blatter
FIFA Executive Committee
Leadership of the South African Football Association (SAFA)
2010 Local Organising Committee
Distinguished guests
There are a few moments that define a nation’s history. Tonight we stand on the threshold of one, as we draw closer and closer to Friday the 11th of June, when the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup officially begins.
What an honour and what a privilege for this 16 year old democracy! Our country has become a stage for the international community to celebrate humanity, achievement and friendship. We have come this far through excellent working relations between ourselves and FIFA.
We are therefore truly privileged to address this opening ceremony of the 60th FIFA Congress. We extend a warm welcome to all delegates and visitors. It is a critical moment for us given our history. We recall that it was members of this esteemed Congress who voted for Africa’s first World Cup.
FIFA decided that Africa’s time had come, and that a brand new nation that had emerged from centuries of pain and conflict, should be given an opportunity to showcase its ability and achievements. We are pleased to be able to thank you directly. You contributed to the eradication of apartheid, when you exerted pressure through amongst others expelling apartheid South Africa in 1976. Thank you for that solidarity.
South Africa needed this World Cup. We needed such a show of confidence by the international community. It has made us step back and appreciate the strides we have made since we buried apartheid and became one rainbow nation, united in its diversity.
We are delighted too, to be able to thank FIFA directly for continued support. You consistently refused to believe pessimists who said South Africa would not be able host this tournament. The awarding of the country’s highest honour to the FIFA President, the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo, this week, indicates the depth of our appreciation to FIFA.
We have worked tirelessly from 15 May 2004 when we were announced as the host country. The Local Organising Committee led by Chairperson Irvin Khoza and the CEO Danny Jordaan have done a sterling job, assisted by the leadership of the South African Football Association. We thank the 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee, led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe for their hard work. We also thank former President Thabo Mbeki for his contribution to the success of this project.
We reserve the most special gratitude to our icon, President Nelson Mandela who continues to provide enormous inspiration to us and the whole world, due to his undying belief in humanity and his love for this country and its people.
He personally worked hard to ensure that we win the rights to host this tournament. We love him dearly as a nation and dedicate the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament to him. The value of the World Cup event for nation building is immeasurable and priceless. The South African flag has never been so popular in its 16 year history. It has become the most powerful symbol that identifies and unites South Africans. The infrastructure development and other legacy projects will be with us beyond the World Cup. We must now ensure the success of the most fundamental legacy, education.
In October last year we committed ourselves as a country to the 1Goal: Education for All Campaign. With collective action, by 2014, we will have enrolled the remaining seventy five million illiterate children and seven hundred and seventy four million adults in an effective education system.
We will continue to support President Blatter and FIFA as well the UN Secretary General in promoting this campaign.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have thanked construction workers for ensuring that the stadiums, airports and other developments are ready for the World Cup. This evening we extend our sincere gratitude to 15 000 local and international volunteers, working in areas such as information services, media, protocol, spectator services, and transportation.
We thank these selfless men and women who are contributing to unity, friendship and co-existence in the world. We also wish all the teams, coaches and nations well as they go to battle from Friday.
Distinguished delegates, I wish you well on your deliberations. I trust that you will have a most enjoyable stay and a vibrant African World Cup.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
9 June 2010
