Date: 10/11/2009
Source: Independent Democrats
Title: ID: Mcluwa: Speech by the iD spokesperson on sport, on the 2010 World Cup, National Assembly

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our true Sons of the Soil Dr Danny Jordaan and Dr Irvin Khoza, as well as the Local Organising Committee for the good work they have done to prepare our country for hosting the 2010 World Cup.

The ID salutes every single worker that has contributed his or her hands to this mighty achievement.

We are very, very proud of you.

I would like to call on the media to be responsible and patriotic in their coverage of the World Cup.

In addition, in today's joint committee meeting with the LOC, the ID was not given a clear answer over the eventual privatization of World Cup stadiums, built with taxpayers' money.

Another concern for the ID is the delay until October next year in the deadline for the completion of the first phase of the Gautrain.

The ID is disappointed that the first phase has been separated from the World Cup deliverables of the LOC.

In the period before our victory in the Afcon Cup in 1996, under the leadership of local coach Clive Barker, all Bafana Bafana preparations were held in South Africa.

It does not make sense to the ID that while many teams are coming here to acclimatize; Bafana Bafana is going to Brazil.

What does Brazil have that we don't have?

Brazil has only one thing that we don't have - Carlos Perreira's family.

The ID would also like to voice our concern that while Sep Blatter has been assuring the world that visitors to the World Cup will be safe, we are extremely concerned that people like Julius Malema may not agree with this statement.