Master of ceremonies
Deputy President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe
FIFA President, Mr Joseph Sepp Blatter and Leadership from FIFA
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Issa Hayatou
South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr Irvin Khoza
Chief Executive Officer of the LOC, Dr Danny Jordaan
Representatives from other countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria
Distinguished guests
Members of the media present
Ladies and gentlemen
Allow me to extend a warm welcome to all guests from different parts of our country and from different parts of the globe. We thank the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and the Local Organising Committee for hosting FIFA delegation in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
We are overwhelmed by the interest that has been shown by all of you to our province and in particular our host city, Durban. 2010 FIFA World Cup has presented us with the opportunity to promote this province as a destination of choice for investments and tourisms.
As we gather this evening we should therefore identify opportunities for collaboration that will assist us to speed up socio-economic development in South Africa and Africa as a whole. As a developmental state, our government has ensured that massive investments directed towards the development of infrastructure and skills that our people require. We are determined to achieve higher levels of economic growth, create jobs using the World Cup as a catalyst.
More importantly, through this tournament we have been able to mobilise communities to participate in their own development. Indeed ordinary people of this province are inspired and believe that life will change for the better. This hope is shared by many in our country and the entire continent.
Master of ceremonies,
The presence this evening of the top leaders of our country, in government, the private sector and civil society attests to our collective commitment to using this tournament to create an environment in which socio-economic development can be realised. We wish to welcome the Deputy President of the country Mr Kgalema Motlanthe; FIFA President, Mr Joseph Sepp Blatter and Leadership from FIFA; CAF President Issa Hayatou; SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani and the entire SAFA leadership; Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Irvin Khoza and his colleagues including CEO Dr Danny Jordaan; representatives from other countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria.
Mr Blatter you have arrived in South Africa when the country is buoyed by the euphoria of celebrating 20 years of the release of our former President Nelson Mandela from prison. I will not, therefore, let this moment pass without paying tribute to Tata Madiba. I think it is befitting to dedicate this evening to Tata Madiba because hosting this world soccer showpiece has united the nation. This is what Madiba fought for, for many years - equality and unity.
It is for these reasons that the KwaZulu-Natal government has taken a decision to use the world soccer showpiece to showcase our unity, our warmth and most importantly our commitment to the concept of the rainbow nation.
Our message to you this evening is that KwaZulu-Natal province and Durban in particular, is ready to host the world. We are ready to welcome our guests with warm hands. Our people in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces have a collective dream of hosting a memorable world cup. We are very positive about working as partners to ensure that you do not only enjoy the world cup but you are able wander around and sample the warmth and the smiles of the friendly people of our province.
We want you to enjoy the diversity of our cultures, religion and get to learn different languages that make us a rainbow nation. We will do everything for you to feel that you are at home away from home. We wish you to relax and enjoy the beauty and the hospitality of our region.
A hearty welcome to you all.
Thank you.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
1 March 2010
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za/)
