the 89th birthday celebration of former president Nelson Mandela
17 July 2007
Thank you Madiba for bringing the 2010 Federation International Football
Association (Fifa) World Cup to Africa
Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) wishes former President Nelson
Mandela a wonderful day as he celebrates his 89th birthday on Wednesday, 18
July 2007.
To the millions of sport-loving South Africans you remain a source of
inspiration. With your great sporting prowess, you have conquered many man-made
injustices towards the creation of a non-racial sport in our country.
We all remember that historic day, 15 May 2005, when you lifted the sought
after Fifa World Cup trophy in Zurich and declared to the world that "Africa's
time has come, South Africa is ready!"
During the struggle for national liberation, your boxing gloves were a
symbol of hope to young men and women whose dream was to represent our country
in international events beyond the borders of our land. However, their resolve
to uphold the principle of fairness in sport by joining the sport boycott
reaffirmed the assertion that there can be no normal sport in an abnormal
society.
Today sport is one of the driving forces behind our national development
programme towards the creation of better country for all. Since 1994, our
sportsmen and women have conquered the world on many fronts, including winning
the African Cup of Nations and the Rugby World Cup. Sport continues to be a
symbol of hope to families struggling to untangle themselves from the
deprivation trappings of the past poverty and underdevelopment.
The SRSA, on behalf of all sportsmen and women, expresses a word of
gratitude to you and your fellow comrades and compatriots for bringing the 2010
Fifa World Cup tournament to Africa for the first time.
Thank you Madiba for making it possible for the children of the world to
come and play together under the bright African skies both as part of the "90
minutes for Mandela" and the 2010 Fifa World Cup scheduled to take place on our
shores.
May you have many happy returns Madiba!
Enquiries:
Monde Mkalipi
Cell: 082 575 3976
Tel: 012 304 5222
Fax: 012 323 7196
E-mail: monde@srsa.gov.za
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
17 July 2007
