Date: 25/08/2006
Source: Sport and Recreation South Africa
Title: Oosthuizen: Debate on 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Bill
Debate in the National Council of Provinces on 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Bill by Mr Gert C Oosthuizen MP, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa
This Bill facilitates the hosting and staging of the 2010 Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in South Africa in accordance with the Organising Association Agreement between FIFA and South African Football Association (SAFA) and the guarantees issued by our government to FIFA.
When FIFA decided in 2001 that the 2010 World Cup should be held for the first time on African soil, the continent rejoiced, not only for the love of the game, but also knowing that it would help make this a century of African growth and development.
Our government saw in the opportunity to host the Football World Cup a whole range of benefits for South Africa and the African continent. In anticipation of such positive spin offs our President dubbed the 2010 World Cup an African World Cup. The notion of an African World Cup captured the imagination of FIFA, the African countries and our fellow Africans in the diaspora. The notion of an African World Cup has been well-received by most South Africans, especially young people.
2010 also brings a unique opportunity to ensure that the world learns more about the strengths and opportunities of a country and continent undergoing far-reaching reconstructions and development.
We believe that hosting the 2010 World Cup affords us the biggest opportunity to banish Afro-pessimism. By hosting the biggest event in the world; South Africa will go a long way in strengthening the countries bond as one nation. It will also boost our image among the nations of the world. Although we do not intend to replicate Germany 2006 or to compete with the Germans, we firmly believe that the same spirit of national pride we saw and experienced in Germany can be achieved in South Africa. This is, if we work together with a unity of purpose.
In 1996, President Mbeki captured Parliament and the world when he delivered the speech where he declared: “I am an African”, that speech is simply indelible on the mind.
I am an African, the African Renaissance, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African World Cup 2010 seems to fit into one another. They give us as Africans a rare opportunity to look into the Presidents logical, systematic and brilliant mindset. This characteristic of being an African engenders caring, compassion and sharing. It gives birth to the moral order of empathy, helping others and having feelings for them.
In a nutshell, this is Ubuntu, a philosophy of the collective; of the community as opposed to individualism. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa has been marketed to be intended as an African World Cup. So the preparations for this tournament, its hosting and long thereafter must bequeath to our people and our nation a legacy we all can be proud of.
Hosting the 2010 World Cup; we believe; provides our government with a golden opportunity to boost our tourism and sports industry. It will push our economic development to a higher notch. The tournament assists us to address the infrastructure backlogs we have in our roads, transport, sports facilities, and telecommunication and broadcasting networks. Our electricity and water needs will be upgraded and receive a great boost. In a nutshell, hosting the 2010 World Cup, will fast track the attainment of some elements of the 2014 Millennium Development Goals, and of Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA).
In 2010, 31 countries will converge in South Africa. In terms of languages, followers of the national team will exceed the 32 competitors (South Africa being the 32nd nation). This affords an immense opportunity for our young people to learn foreign languages. This, together with the skills they must be trained in will improve the skills base of our young people. It will also expose them to other cultures and teach them to respect diversity even more. 2010 will help us fight xenophobia and to unite the African people.
Social services like disaster management, public health services, safety and security are already advanced in their plans for 2010. These services will be accessible to our people before and long after 2010.
Chairperson, I am articulating some of the issues that our government took into account when we supported SAFA bid to host the World Cup. We were acutely aware of what the preparations would contribute to our broad plans for transformation and development. We are also alert to the contribution that this programme will make towards social cohesion and nation building.
The challenge for us as South Africans is to make the best of the opportunities offered by hosting 2010.
Geleenthede gaan veel verder as die aanbied van ‘n suksesvolle 2010 FIFA W
Source: Sport and Recreation South Africa
Title: Oosthuizen: Debate on 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Bill
Debate in the National Council of Provinces on 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Bill by Mr Gert C Oosthuizen MP, Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa
This Bill facilitates the hosting and staging of the 2010 Federation International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in South Africa in accordance with the Organising Association Agreement between FIFA and South African Football Association (SAFA) and the guarantees issued by our government to FIFA.
When FIFA decided in 2001 that the 2010 World Cup should be held for the first time on African soil, the continent rejoiced, not only for the love of the game, but also knowing that it would help make this a century of African growth and development.
Our government saw in the opportunity to host the Football World Cup a whole range of benefits for South Africa and the African continent. In anticipation of such positive spin offs our President dubbed the 2010 World Cup an African World Cup. The notion of an African World Cup captured the imagination of FIFA, the African countries and our fellow Africans in the diaspora. The notion of an African World Cup has been well-received by most South Africans, especially young people.
2010 also brings a unique opportunity to ensure that the world learns more about the strengths and opportunities of a country and continent undergoing far-reaching reconstructions and development.
We believe that hosting the 2010 World Cup affords us the biggest opportunity to banish Afro-pessimism. By hosting the biggest event in the world; South Africa will go a long way in strengthening the countries bond as one nation. It will also boost our image among the nations of the world. Although we do not intend to replicate Germany 2006 or to compete with the Germans, we firmly believe that the same spirit of national pride we saw and experienced in Germany can be achieved in South Africa. This is, if we work together with a unity of purpose.
In 1996, President Mbeki captured Parliament and the world when he delivered the speech where he declared: “I am an African”, that speech is simply indelible on the mind.
I am an African, the African Renaissance, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African World Cup 2010 seems to fit into one another. They give us as Africans a rare opportunity to look into the Presidents logical, systematic and brilliant mindset. This characteristic of being an African engenders caring, compassion and sharing. It gives birth to the moral order of empathy, helping others and having feelings for them.
In a nutshell, this is Ubuntu, a philosophy of the collective; of the community as opposed to individualism. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa has been marketed to be intended as an African World Cup. So the preparations for this tournament, its hosting and long thereafter must bequeath to our people and our nation a legacy we all can be proud of.
Hosting the 2010 World Cup; we believe; provides our government with a golden opportunity to boost our tourism and sports industry. It will push our economic development to a higher notch. The tournament assists us to address the infrastructure backlogs we have in our roads, transport, sports facilities, and telecommunication and broadcasting networks. Our electricity and water needs will be upgraded and receive a great boost. In a nutshell, hosting the 2010 World Cup, will fast track the attainment of some elements of the 2014 Millennium Development Goals, and of Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA).
In 2010, 31 countries will converge in South Africa. In terms of languages, followers of the national team will exceed the 32 competitors (South Africa being the 32nd nation). This affords an immense opportunity for our young people to learn foreign languages. This, together with the skills they must be trained in will improve the skills base of our young people. It will also expose them to other cultures and teach them to respect diversity even more. 2010 will help us fight xenophobia and to unite the African people.
Social services like disaster management, public health services, safety and security are already advanced in their plans for 2010. These services will be accessible to our people before and long after 2010.
Chairperson, I am articulating some of the issues that our government took into account when we supported SAFA bid to host the World Cup. We were acutely aware of what the preparations would contribute to our broad plans for transformation and development. We are also alert to the contribution that this programme will make towards social cohesion and nation building.
The challenge for us as South Africans is to make the best of the opportunities offered by hosting 2010.
Geleenthede gaan veel verder as die aanbied van ‘n suksesvolle 2010 FIFA W
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