Your Royal Highness, Kgosi Molotlegi of Bafokeng Nation
Kgosi Moleko Mathope of Bakubung-Ba-Mathope
Chief Mamogale of Bakwena Ba Mogopa
Other Traditional Leaders and representatives present here today
The Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Councillor Matthew Wolmarans
Members of the Mayoral Executive Council
Ward Councillors
Senior Government Officials, both from the Provincial and Local Spheres of government
Bahlomphehi bohle, Bomme le Bontate,
Let me take this moment to thank all of you for your presence and thank you for this important opportunity to participate in the history marking moment of our province. It gives me a great pleasure to, on behalf of the Honourable Premier and the entire North West Provincial Government, preside over the ceremony to handover the FIFA Protocol Routes as part of our province's contribution to making success of both the FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament to be staged by our beautiful Country, South Africa.
As a province, we are proud to make this humble contribution knowing that it is significantly bringing our dream of hosting a successful FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup nearer. Our efforts are greatly strengthen by the knowledge that our province's participation and contributions, through Rustenburg as Hosting City, and the hosting partner the Royal Bafokeng Nation, is part of the bigger history marking moment that is staging a first successful FIFA World Cup in the African soil.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are today handing over the FIFA Protocol Routes, which were part of the infrastructure enhancement required for us to host some of the 2009 FIFA Confederations games which will commence within few days. We are in this regard, thankful to the project managers and contractors who worked tireless to meet the delivery deadlines without compromising the quality of the products being handed over today.
To the LOC and FIFA representatives, we say that we are not only handing over these routes but we are also pledging our support to the LOCs efforts to stage the most memorable tournament ever. We are cognisant of the fact that the routes we are handing over are not merely for the use during the tournaments but most importantly representing a long-lasting legacy for our country and specifically our province.
We will therefore continue to help the LOC and FIFA to care for the routes and make every possible contribution through our Local Municipality and the Provincial Roads Department working with the communities to ensure that the routes are cared for, kept off stray animals and generally kept safe for use.
As the provincial government, we wish to reiterate our commitment to LOC and FIFA that we will continue to be a reliable partner in hosting the 2010 World Cup Tournament despite the challenges presented by the economic meltdown across the globe.
Our support for your efforts is still unwavering and we promise you through the words of our President that ‘we will not alter the direction of our development’ nor will we renege from our commitments. This I can state without fear of contradiction knowing that the Honourable Premier and the entire Provincial Executive Council are fully behind the Hosting of the coming FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup Tournament.
Our efforts will therefore continue in other areas such as provision of adequate security for the tournaments through integrated law enforcements operations, inculcate the spirit of patriotism and Ubuntu amongst our people to volunteer their humanity and skills towards 2010, and encourage attendance and support for our soccer team and other matches that will be hosted in our province which do not involve our team.
The completed Protocol Routes projects we are handing over today have not only changed the infrastructural outlook of our province. They have also made a positive impact in the livelihood of the surrounding communities. The projects were collectively funded at a budget of close to R500 million and have provided direct jobs opportunities exceeding 480 but most importantly alleviating poverty amongst a much higher number of family members.
We would like to urge our communities in the province to see this handing over as a sign that as a Province, we are a serious player in the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament and FIFA Confederations Cup and start to individually and collectively within their localities, in every way possible, show their support for the events and indeed for our team Bafana Bafana.
I wish to once more thank all of you present today to witness this auspicious moment which marks an important milestone by our province and the Host City, Rustenburg. We extend our gratitude to all our partners and sponsors who have made all sorts of contributions to help us achieve this important milestone.
We are greatly encouraged and more determined to meet the remaining goals which will see us achieve our dream of hosting the most memorable tournaments.
It is only by working together that we can achieve more!
Ke ya leboha!
Enquiries:
Matshube Mfoloe
Tel: 018 387 2447
Cell: 082 054 594
E-mail:mmfoloe@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
8 June 2009
