PREMIER 'S ADDRESS
I feel extremely humbled and delighted to have been invited to say a few words at this gathering.
Let me thank the Safa staff and management team and the Witbank Council for having made it possible for us to meet with you - our Province's sports ambassadors. It is indeed an honour for me that you sacrificed your time in order to be here with us.
Tonight is perhaps the most important night for soccer in our province this year. Particularly when one bears in mind that in two days time we are faced with an extremely unenviable task – humiliating your neighbour.
We are honouring those outstanding soccer players who have reached the highest levels internationally, nationally, and here at home in encouraging and developing soccer in our grassroots communities.
We are also welcoming to our province, for the very first time, our national soccer heroes. They are our heroes not only when they are on a winning streak.
They are our ALL the time. We gather here today, a nation united in putting behind us a painful past – a past of unequal opportunities.
I look at you today not as black and white soccer players and officials, but as South Africans who will never again allow their diversity to be used to divide and tear them apart.
As young men and women you have, in your own way, contributed to the reconciliation processes so necessary in the building of a nation. When we cheer Pierre Issa as he so bravely keep that ball out of goal we do so not because he is black, but because he is South African.
Dumisa, in the late 60s when I was at school not far from here we use to marvel at the soccer wizardry of people like Shakes Nhlapo, Fish Mahlangu, Excellent Mabuza – and many others.
They were all at school with me at Botshabelo. But then on occasion we would have the opportunity of watching the whole team at play.
There was one young man whom goalkeepers feared because of his thunderous shots. I am told that man, Junior Ngobe is your father.
How blessed am I to be entertained by both father and son all in a life time. We are very proud of you. We say the same about all of you.
We say the same about as I said earlier Sports, more than anything has the power to unite people and diverse cultures, something that is quiet critical in a period where we are building a nation.
All over South Africa and the Province unity is emerging through organised activities.
These activities focus on specific themes that seek to enhance the achievement of government objectives of democracy, the attainment of peace, crime reduction and prevention, reconstruction and empowerment.
As you go into the game against Swaziland, remember that all the people of the province and the country – black and white – are united behind you.
As government, on whose behalf I speak here today, we will be present to spur you on.
We wish all of you all the success. But remember, even if you don't win – which is very unlikely - the essence of the games is to enjoy. So go out there and enjoy yourself.
I thank you.