Date: 27/11/2004
Source: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
Title: Oosthuizen: SASCOC Executive Board announcement


Speech by Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr GC Oosthuizen at the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) General Assembly’s announcement of the Executive Board

Electoral Officer
Representatives of sports organizations
Observers
Media representatives
Ladies and Gentlemen

My task is a very simple one really, but indeed a great honour to perform this morning. These elections are historic and the names of the people who have been appointed and elected today will, of course, be recorded in the annals of South Africa’s sporting history as the first Executive Board of this united umbrella structure known as the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

Ladies and Gentlemen: the confidence placed on you by the sports movement through your election is one thing; the more important business that lies ahead is that of getting SASCOC up and running and, crucially, delivering. The task is a mammoth one and the whole country will be looking toward you for leadership. I want to wish you well with your endeavours.

Before I make the announcement of the Executive Board, we think that it is appropriate to thank a few individuals for their contribution to the process.

Thanks to Bester Greyling and his team from Deloitte for the professional manner in which they conducted this election.

Also I want to thank and indeed congratulate all of the sports organizations that are represented here for the spirit in which they conducted themselves. I believe that it bodes well for the new organization.

I want to thank the Monitoring Committee and its Chairperson, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile, for their commitment to the oversight role that they have played. It is really appreciated.

I would also like to thank the Steering Committee for all their hard work in bringing us to where we are today. I am not going to mention them individually. Suffice it to say that we are proud of what you have achieved. I sometimes wondered whether the task that you set for yourselves and the timeframes within which you wanted to accomplish your goals, were not too optimistic. Well, you have proven me wrong and I congratulate you for that.

I want to single out Dr Willie Basson for his commitment to the process. Your passion for sport and your dedication to seeing the sports movement succeed will not go unnoticed. The fact that you have invested so much of your time voluntarily, sets a fine example for others in the sports movement to follow. Please accept our sincerest thanks and congratulations on the fine manner in which you steered the process.

Lastly, allow me to thank all the people who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the process. Without your dedication and hard work none of this would have been possible. For everyone and anyone that I have not mentioned by name or may have left out, especially those volunteers upon whose doors we knocked ever so often for support and advice, we thank you very much in the spirit of Vuk’uzenzele!

Ladies and Gentlemen: it is now my pleasant task to announce the names of the members of the first Executive Board of SASCOC.

Firstly, I would like to announce the names of the appointed members:

* The IOC member: Sam Ramsamy
* The DISSA member: Peter Goldhawk
* The SASSU member: Malumbete Ralethe
* The USSASA member: Doctor Nkosi

And the additional members: Mark Alexander, Sylvia Dale, Vusi Mgobhozi, Bob Tucker and Dave van der Merwe.

Ladies and Gentlemen: it is now my pleasure to announce the names of the elected members to the first Executive Board of SASCOC:

* The President: Moss Mashishi
* The first Vice-President: Hajera Kajee
* The second Vice-President: Barrington Mkhize

Allow me once again to congratulate all the Board Members on their election.

Sporting family: this effectively concludes our business for today. I am sure that your new Executive Board will be in touch with you shortly to take the process forward.

Drive home safely.

Thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
27 November 2004