THE year 2011 was indeed a great and challenging year for the people of South Africa in their struggles for a better life for all.
It has been a great and challenging year for the sport-loving people of the Republic in both their triumphs and shortcomings on and off the field.
From January, I presented a six-point plan for the ultimate sporting and recreational revamp in the country. The noise was huge, really deafening.
Sport and recreation got its swag back. Life was magnificent once again. We wanted to emulate the classes of 1995 and 1996 - the Nelson Mandela-Francois Pienaar moment at Ellis Park, as well as the Mandela-Neil Tovey moment at FNB Stadium. We wanted the swag back, through policy and implementation.
The Magnificent Fridays and its related campaigns proved successful in bringing the sport closer to the people.
The cricket and rugby world cups and Netball world championships, under the banner of the Magnificent Fridays, which is rooted in the six-point plan, have reached out to all our masses.
Thank you to these three federations and many others, as well as Sascoc for being there in celebrating and sending off teams to Sri Lanka/ Bangladesh, New Zealand and Singapore.
We are grateful for the work done by all our athletes and partners. Charl Schwartzel, Vernon Philander, AB de Viliers, Noni Tenge, the Amantom- bazani netball team, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Caster Semenya, Mark Boucher, Banyana Banyana, Louis Oosthuizen, Gauteng Lions, Orlando Pirates, SABC Sport, eNews, SuperSport, Old Mutual, Sowetan and the broader journalism industry.
To all those who attended the gigantic sport-shaping Indaba, we are also extending the hand of thanks to you. Next year, school sport and the transformation charter and its scorecard will be the most talked about landmarks. In this the National Pride will be central in our pursuit for a better life for all.
When our athletes wear the Protea and the colours, they will wear it with pride and purpose. Indeed, the year 2011 has taught us that we must not take things for granted. We learnt that we must read the rules and regulations that govern the sport and celebrate the achievements.
Thank you to all the MECs, the presidents of federations and the broader society. The celebration of the talent through the Sports Awards at Sun City was the ultimate. Thanks to all those who graced the occasion, with the sports star of the year prize presented to Hashim Mahomed Amla.
God have mercy on us, as we go home to rejuvenate ourselves during this festive season. To those who'll be driving, drive safely. For those who'll be in parties, drink responsibly, the law is clear. No drinking and driving. Happy holidays, gentle people. Let's toast to 2011.
For the year 2012, we must make a commitment to say we shall and must do better than we did in 2011. By doing so, let us all be united in prayer for our two extreme adventurers and environmental activists, Mr Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets, who will represent South Africa in the Race to the South Pole from January 1-26 2012. 'Cold Sweat', as it is commonly known, will be one of the "toughest endurance races" in the history of humankind. Both these sons of our soil promised to fly the national flag high at the south pole. Good Luck!
In closing, thanks to all the media for their critical analysis and assistance in the shaping of sport and recreation in the country. You really helped us to work hard to find solutions to the problems confronting us.
Pula!
2011: a year of swag and challenges
THE year 2011 was indeed a great and challenging year for the people of South Africa in their struggles for a better life for all.
It has been a great and challenging year for the sport-loving people of the Republic in both their triumphs and shortcomings on and off the field.
From January, I presented a six-point plan for the ultimate sporting and recreational revamp in the country. The noise was huge, really deafening.
Sport and recreation got its swag back. Life was magnificent once again. We wanted to emulate the classes of 1995 and 1996 - the Nelson Mandela-Francois Pienaar moment at Ellis Park, as well as the Mandela-Neil Tovey moment at FNB Stadium. We wanted the swag back, through policy and implementation.
The Magnificent Fridays and its related campaigns proved successful in bringing the sport closer to the people.
The cricket and rugby world cups and Netball world championships, under the banner of the Magnificent Fridays, which is rooted in the six-point plan, have reached out to all our masses.
Thank you to these three federations and many others, as well as Sascoc for being there in celebrating and sending off teams to Sri Lanka/ Bangladesh, New Zealand and Singapore.
We are grateful for the work done by all our athletes and partners. Charl Schwartzel, Vernon Philander, AB de Viliers, Noni Tenge, the Amantom- bazani netball team, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Caster Semenya, Mark Boucher, Banyana Banyana, Louis Oosthuizen, Gauteng Lions, Orlando Pirates, SABC Sport, eNews, SuperSport, Old Mutual, Sowetan and the broader journalism industry.
To all those who attended the gigantic sport-shaping Indaba, we are also extending the hand of thanks to you. Next year, school sport and the transformation charter and its scorecard will be the most talked about landmarks. In this the National Pride will be central in our pursuit for a better life for all.
When our athletes wear the Protea and the colours, they will wear it with pride and purpose. Indeed, the year 2011 has taught us that we must not take things for granted. We learnt that we must read the rules and regulations that govern the sport and celebrate the achievements.
Thank you to all the MECs, the presidents of federations and the broader society. The celebration of the talent through the Sports Awards at Sun City was the ultimate. Thanks to all those who graced the occasion, with the sports star of the year prize presented to Hashim Mahomed Amla.
God have mercy on us, as we go home to rejuvenate ourselves during this festive season. To those who'll be driving, drive safely. For those who'll be in parties, drink responsibly, the law is clear. No drinking and driving. Happy holidays, gentle people. Let's toast to 2011.
For the year 2012, we must make a commitment to say we shall and must do better than we did in 2011. By doing so, let us all be united in prayer for our two extreme adventurers and environmental activists, Mr Braam Malherbe and Peter van Kets, who will represent South Africa in the Race to the South Pole from January 1-26 2012. 'Cold Sweat', as it is commonly known, will be one of the "toughest endurance races" in the history of humankind. Both these sons of our soil promised to fly the national flag high at the south pole. Good Luck!
In closing, thanks to all the media for their critical analysis and assistance in the shaping of sport and recreation in the country. You really helped us to work hard to find solutions to the problems confronting us.
Pula!
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