Programme Director;
Premier of Limpopo, Cassel Mathale;
MEC of Sport and Recreation, Mrs Joyce Mashamba;
Executive Mayors present here, Councillor Mapoulo;
Acting Head of Department, Mr M. Mangena;
Representatives of the Media;
Media Houses in our midst;
Athletes and sports persons present here;
Staff members;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Fellow citizens;
Honourable Cassel Mathale, this year marks the fifth Anniversary of the South Africa Games. The 2011 SA Games will take place in this province of Limpopo from 2 October to 8 October 2011.
Our athletes across the length and breadth of our country will converge in this beautiful province to showcase their sporting skills to our nation and the world.
We are convinced that this years’ chapter of the SA Games will epitomise a remarkable landmark in the history of the games. A remarkable landmark because the 2011 SA Games have been organised by a team of men and women with the vast experience and expertise emanating from the four successful hosting of the SA Games which the last was in Free State province.
We believe that a potent indicator of the high level of organisation is the fact that the programme will be concluded well within the allocated budget, without compromising standards and quality of the 2011 SA Games.
It is our conviction that the host province – Limpopo – will provide this tournament with exceptional facilities, warm and hospitable accommodation for our athletes; and a well co-ordinated overall programme.
We are confident that Limpopo will provide us with a world class event and will undoubtedly create a yardstick in terms of the high standard set by the previous SA Games.
This readiness talks directly to matters of administration of the Games but also the performance of the athletes and that of the organising team.
Ladies and gentlemen, this official launch takes place exactly during the month that has been declared Heritage Month by the government of the Republic. It is a month that our people are encouraged to utilise everyday of this month to showcase their heritage, culture, tradition, arts, language and appreciate everything that makes them South African.
We are assembled here to also join all our people in their journey to celebrate this month. We do this in style. We officially unveil the Logo of the SA Games which boasts with its BAOBAB indigenous tree. BAOBAB tree has a long history in the province of Limpopo.
It has long been a symbol of this region. It is found only in this part of the Republic of South Africa. It plays an important role in the myths and legends of Africa. It does that influenced by its strange shape that is unique and different to many shapes of other trees found in Africa.
We today, further unveil the colours of the fifth SA Games 2011. Our colours for these years’ games are:
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Brown which symbolises the natural beauty and the rich minerals of this province.
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Red symbolises the Limpopo’s passion for sport and recreation.
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Blue that symbolises peace and tranquil of the province through the colour of the sky.
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And White symbolises innocence and purity through the peaceful nature and humility of the people of the Limpopo province.
Ladies and gentlemen, 2011 SA games are really happening! They are happening because ‘together we can do more in sport development and that the 2011 games will be successful’ because of our commitment to work together to build a sporting society.
The SA Games by their nature are designed to nurture youth talent based on the youth development character of the games. This is the process where our nation identifies talent and select excellence that, in future, can represent our country in international games. It is a vital platform for our young people to unlock their sporting potential whilst at the same time broadening access to participation to increase the participation into the high performance sport. These games, in actual fact, mark the present and future of South African sports personalities.
The young people who participate in these games and successfully complete the competitions with flying colours are afforded an opportunity to participate and represent our country at the international games including All Africa Games, Zone VI Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics Championships.
Our aim, though, is to produce world class sport stars by exposing young South African athletes to high level competition in a multi-sport event. The games are also aimed at establishing a holistic and sustainable sport development agenda through the creation of an enabling environment for young people especially youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and neglected communities particularly girls and young people with disabilities of whom the majority are from rural areas.
However, as government, we expect the 2011 Games to generate maximum fun and enjoyment for the youth whilst promoting dedication and excellence. We want these Games to be a fountain for the promotion of inclusivity and unity of purpose in sport and recreation in the Republic.
We are calling on all South Africans to support our young athletes during the 2011 SA Games. We are further calling on all South Africans to converge at Peter Mokaba stadium on 2 October 2011 to witness the extravagant opening of the fifth SA Games. We are convinced that these games will go a long way in creating an enabling environment for all our athletes to excel.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our valuable sponsors, the LOC, the officials and all the people who are making this august event a success.
I thank you.
