Programme Director
President of the Republic, His Excellency, Mr Jacob Zuma
President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr Jacques Rogge
Members of the IOC
Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Republic of South Africa
Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize
And all Premiers present here this evening
MECs of Sport and Recreation
The Mayor of eThekwini, Mr James Nxumalo
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) President, Mr Gideon Sam
SASCOC Board Members
Conference delegates from international federations
Olympians present here
Ladies and gentlemen
I stand before you this evening to introduce a man who really needs no introduction in our day and age, particularly here amongst members of the International Olympic Movement.
For South Africa and the Olympic community, we are truly privileged to have in our midst this evening, this colossal leader who is truly one of the greatest sons of the African soil. His humble beginnings as a rural boy from the dusty village of Inkandla, just in the backyard of this City continue to inspire all of us everyday.
His Excellency President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is undoubtedly a man of the people. He was born in struggle among the poorest of the poor and committed his life towards the revolutionary struggle to liberate his people from a repressive system of political and economic suppression. Having joined the struggle at an early age, he was baptised in the revolutionary fires of the oldest liberation movement in Africa, the African National Congress which would be turning one hundred years next year, on 8 January 2012. His resolve and commitment to this movement and the people of the world is unshaken and unquestionable.
What many of you may not know is that President Zuma is very passionate about sport and recreation. During his time as a political prisoner at Robben Island, President Zuma was actively involved in the football association for political prisoners, which was called Makana Football Association.
At some stage, he served as a referee. Yes, President Zuma took to the centre of the pitch and got involved. Such is his nature. He doesn’t watch from the sidelines. He gets involved.
President Zuma was involved in sport then, and he is even more involved now – although this time in a different capacity. He provides leadership and guidance to us and his passion for development through sport and recreation inspires us.
Mr President and distinguished guests, as a gift to the former President of the Republic, Dr Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela, our girls, the National Netball Team affectionately known as amaNtombazana have defeated the host country Singapore in the World Netball Championships that is underway in Singapore this afternoon. Mr President, we trust that the ‘Proteas of South Africa’ will make us proud and deliver to tata Madiba a fitting tribute for his 93rd anniversary of his birthday on 18 July 2011.
In the same token, this General Assembly Session takes place hardly 12 months after South Africa successfully hosted the first FIFA World Cup on African soil, which was followed by the IOC World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture, which took place in this magnificent city.
Both the FIFA World Cup and the IOC Conference on Education, Culture and Sport afforded South Africa and the entire African Continent an opportunity to pay reverence to the extraordinary determination, resilience and unity which exists amongst the beautiful people of this country and continent.
Owing to President Zuma’s passion for sport and recreation as a vehicle for development, the nation as a whole and cities across the length and breadth of the land are forever motivated to want to host events such as this one. We draw our inspiration from President Zuma, and today he is here himself to join us in this important gathering.
I now ask all of you to please join me by rising up to welcome the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma.
Thank you.
