Date: 21/05/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Banquet to launch SA bid to host 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup


ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL BANQUET TO LAUNCH SOUTH AFRICA'S WORLD CUP BID, ICC, Durban, 21 May 2003

Programme directors;
The Minister of Sport;
The Vice President of FIFA, Mr Jack Warner and FIFA Executive Member, Mr Ismail Bhamjee;
The President of the South African Football Association, Molefi Oliphant;
The Chairman and CEO of the South African Bid Committee, Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan;
The Representative of the England Football Association, Mr David Davies;
Bafana Bafana and the England national soccer team;
The national coaches of England and South Africa;
Corporate Sponsors;
Members of the Media
Fellow South Africans, Africans and Citizens of the World;

This is indeed a proud moment for our country and nation, as we gather here to launch South Africa's bid to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

I am truly honoured to have the opportunity of sharing this moment of excitement, and expression of our collective national pride.

Let me, at the onset; express our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Executive Committee of FIFA, the President of Cosafa, the representatives of the English Football Association as well as the England national soccer team, who are present in our country for this launch.

We draw encouragement and strength from your presence and support.

Let me bid you a warm welcome to our country. Please do indulge in our unique blend of African hospitality, and experience the warmth of our people and the scenic beauty of this land.

I would also like to wish Bafana Bafana and the England team well in the international friendly match that they are playing tomorrow night at the ABSA stadium in this beautiful city of Durban.

This match, and the backing of our bid by England, are further testimony, and catalysts for the deepening of the historic and longstanding relations between our two countries. Thanks to you, England indeed.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you will agree with me that bidding to host an event of this stature and magnitude is not a small venture.

It will demand that all of us pool all our national resources and efforts to secure our country as the venue for soccer's premier event.

It is fair to say that a major hurdle was overcome when FIFA announced that only African countries would be eligible to bid for the 2010 campaign.

Africa clearly continues to move away from the fringes, and is asserting her rightful place among other regions of the world.

We must also pat ourselves on the back, as we believe it is South Africa's bid for the 2006 World Cup, which introduced the principle of rotation. We applaud the progressive step of rotation as it allows the comparing of apples with apples.

It will also provide an opportunity for regions, which would have been permanently left out, to be able to participate.

In 2010, Africa will indeed take centre stage, and rightly so given the positive developments already taking place in the continent.

The establishment of the African Union, the launch of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, progress being made in the democratisation of the continent as well as process of ending conflicts, indicate that the continent is serious about making this an African century.

We are bidding to host the 2010 World Cup on behalf of the continent, as we are confident that our success will have advantages for the whole region.

Our bid will reflect both the challenges of underdevelopment and the successes of transformation of soccer in the continent. This is a major objective, not only for South Africa and Africa, but also for the rest of the developing world.

Government has already expressed its full support, and we are very pleased to note the multifaceted partnerships developing around this campaign.

We are in particular happy with the backing of major corporate players, such as Anglo American, Telkom, Vodacom, Supersport, the Daily Sun, Topsport, and South African Breweries. This paves the way for others to participate in this national cause.

It is common knowledge that this campaign will receive full support in our communities, as South Africans, including myself, are generally soccer-mad.

We are, therefore, this evening officially calling on all South Africans to roll up their sleeves, to secure the 2010 World Cup. The time has come, and it is our time.

Such immense national support should assure decision makers that South Africans are united in saying the tournament must come to the southern tip of Africa in 2010.

We are saying this with good reason and our experience speaks for itself. Our logistical capabilities were proven beyond doubt during the 1995 Rugby World, the World Conference Against Racism, the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the recent Cricket World Cup and various other international events.

We are up to the challenge, we have the capacity and logistical and administrative capabilities, and to top it all, we offer a soccer crazy population that will give the game the boost it deserves.

Once again, thanks to all of you for your support tonight, and we hope we can count on your backing until the successful ending of the campaign. It is very important that all should realise that a time has come for Africa to play its part. Let us make good use of this opportunity and I am certain that we are equal to the challenge "ngoba phela yendele esokeni".

Victory is ours this time round!

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency
21 May 2003