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Injecting a dose of the future into present

THE time to inject a dose of the future has dawned.

We have spoken before on Afcon 2013 and we listened to the cries of our cities and our people.

The Afcon was not on the government planning calendar for 2013/14. Granted. We thank all those people who constructively engaged us on the subject and helped in the shaping of the future.

". yet in the middle of the stormy weather, we did not stumble and we did not fall. We knew the place we will shelter."

This is an adaption of a song by R Kelly, Gotham City, suited to this cause we found ourselves in, as we tried to help Africa. We are soldiers of humanity. We are soldiers providing a humanitarian role in the continent that continues to rise above all odds. South Africa brings hope to Africa.

Next door to confusion lives a solution.

We dubbed this week "building a case for sport". This is a week dedicated to showcasing the importance of sport and recreation in the country. Last night we launched a new DStv Sport channel, which will focus amongst others on the lifestyle element of sport.

Sport today has epitomised itself on the playing fields, playing courts and the street. This is showcased in clothing designs, etc.

The process of building this element is an open invite to all to witness as we visit the community of Gugulethu for a Magnificent Wednesday site visit at the Vuyani Primary School.

This is a model centre for the school sport programme in the Cape Town area.

Schools from around Gugulethu will showcase their abilities as they try to catch the eyes of those talent identifiers in the area for a successful and well-polished career in sport. This is what we call the injection of a dose of the future. Let's go!

We will, as part of my participation in the Cape Cycle Tour and the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, be donating some bicycles to promote and profile the code. We will donate the bicycles at the Velekhaya Cycling Academy in Khayelitsha. We have been priding ourselves as cyclists that this code is fast becoming the "new golf". We believe with this gesture of donating these bicycles will encourage many young people to participate in the sport and represent the country in major international competitions.

We will also, as part of the building a long-lasting legacy and total infiltration of the masses through sport, also donate other sporting equipment to other sporting clubs in and around Khayelitsha.

Indeed, the masses of our people are in a jovial mood, the storm's over. The host cities for the CAF events have been named. The World Health Organisation's World Move for Health Programme will also be showcased through an aerobithon in Nyanga. With this programme we will be promoting healthy living among our people, young and old.

Sport in previous months has been plagued by some serious illnesses like cardiac arrests, where in Europe a player lost his life on the field of play and another was nearly lost to this world.

These programmes where our athletes get to check their health status will serve our sporting efforts well.

The Legends Carpet will be on the floor as we walk with pride. That's the swag of sport we have been talking about. We will, in partnership with the Andrew Mlangeni Foundation, host the Sport and Recreation Pre-Budget Vote Breakfast. The legendary golfer, Rivonia Triallist and MP will be in the house. He will have an opportunity to meet with the Andrew Mlangeni Green Jackets recipients and the 2011 Sports Awards winners.

Thanks to Radio 2000, the Budget vote speech will be broadcast live from the Old Assembly in Cape Town to every city, town, township and village, every home, taxi, car and workplace.

The people are hungry for information and the time has arrived that we feed them.

After all is said and done, on Sunday we will announce the Transformation Committee, a product of the National Sports Plan. We will announce major shake-ups in line with the Cabinet- approved National Sports Plan. We are indeed injecting a dose of the future.

Ladies and gentlemen, together building a case for sport, together we can do more. Let me invite you to this journey of a lifetime.

The journey that begins with me and you as we inject a dose of the future.

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