PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma and Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula on Sunday assured the Spar national netball team that they have the support of the nation when they leave today for the World Netball Championships in Singapore.
Zuma invited the team and its managers to his official residence in Pretoria to express his personal support for the team.
After being introduced to each member of the team by captain Amanda Mynhardt, Zuma described them as the most beautiful girls in South Africa, and welcomed them to Mahlamba Ndlopfu.
He said that before going to war, warriors would go to the Big House to receive blessings for their endeavours and that was why he wanted to meet the team.
"This meeting here gives us an opportunity to say goodbye and good luck and for you to receive our blessings," he said. "You are our number one team."
Zuma said it was part of South African culture to love sport and to want to win all the time. "I have heard that you carry this culture. In Africa you are number two and in the world number six and this shows you are a team of quality that is focused.
"I am happy that you have come, and would like you to know that the whole nation is behind you. We want you to win. We want to let you know that we support you fully. What you can do for us in return, is bring back the trophy," he quipped.
"July is Nelson Mandela's birthday month, maybe you can give him a nice birthday present."
Zuma promised that either he or Mbalula would travel to Singapore to see the Proteas in action. Mbalula, who gave the squad the name Amantombazane, said South Africa was celebrating all sporting codes because sport helped to bring the nation together.
"Netball has the clearest understanding of transformation, as we can see the rainbow nation sitting here in front of us," Mbalula said.
"You have the full support of the president, and it is up to you to represent your country with dignity, discipline and courage."
Netball SA's director (demarcation), Mami Diale, said the players were honoured to meet the president. "This is the first time the national netball team has received an official presidential send-off," she said. "We promise to represent SA with pride." The world championships get under way on July 3. SA play Jamaica on July 4.
Zuma send-off for netball team
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma and Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula on Sunday assured the Spar national netball team that they have the support of the nation when they leave today for the World Netball Championships in Singapore.
Zuma invited the team and its managers to his official residence in Pretoria to express his personal support for the team.
After being introduced to each member of the team by captain Amanda Mynhardt, Zuma described them as the most beautiful girls in South Africa, and welcomed them to Mahlamba Ndlopfu.
He said that before going to war, warriors would go to the Big House to receive blessings for their endeavours and that was why he wanted to meet the team.
"This meeting here gives us an opportunity to say goodbye and good luck and for you to receive our blessings," he said. "You are our number one team."
Zuma said it was part of South African culture to love sport and to want to win all the time. "I have heard that you carry this culture. In Africa you are number two and in the world number six and this shows you are a team of quality that is focused.
"I am happy that you have come, and would like you to know that the whole nation is behind you. We want you to win. We want to let you know that we support you fully. What you can do for us in return, is bring back the trophy," he quipped.
"July is Nelson Mandela's birthday month, maybe you can give him a nice birthday present."
Zuma promised that either he or Mbalula would travel to Singapore to see the Proteas in action. Mbalula, who gave the squad the name Amantombazane, said South Africa was celebrating all sporting codes because sport helped to bring the nation together.
"Netball has the clearest understanding of transformation, as we can see the rainbow nation sitting here in front of us," Mbalula said.
"You have the full support of the president, and it is up to you to represent your country with dignity, discipline and courage."
Netball SA's director (demarcation), Mami Diale, said the players were honoured to meet the president. "This is the first time the national netball team has received an official presidential send-off," she said. "We promise to represent SA with pride." The world championships get under way on July 3. SA play Jamaica on July 4.
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