Date: 09/04/2010
Source: The Department of Communications
Title: SA: Pule: Speech by the Deputy Minister of Communications, at the launch of the South African Post Operators Association Fifa stamp series launch

Master of ceremonies
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors of the launching Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries represented here today
FIFA delegates
Members of the Stamp launch Organising Committee
Chairperson of the South African Post Office (SAPO) Board
Group Chief Executive Officer and Executives from the South African Post Office
Ladies and gentlemen
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for providing us with the opportunity to be part of this historic event, the Launch of the Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) - FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup Stamp series.
I would further like to congratulate the 10 SADC countries that participated in this joint project. These 10 SADC countries are Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, South Africa, and Mozambique. It is my understanding that this is the third Joint Stamp series issued by SAPOA members, through the coordination of the Philately taskforce.
These intra-country cooperation projects are highly commended as they represent the vision that we as member countries of the SADC aspire to. You will be aware that South Africa has declared the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup as an "all Africa event" and we are grateful to hold this joint SAPOA-FIFA World Cup Stamp series launch as an example of precisely what that entails. This is one of the initiatives to put into perspective the real meaning of the African World Cup. It would be befitting to say ‘Africa is the host and South Africa is the venue'.
Stamps are recognised as a country's smallest ambassador and we trust that on the occasion of this historic event in Africa, these stamps from the SADC region will indeed represent us well across not only the continent but across the world. It is our hope that these stamps will be a premier collectors' item for the many visitors that will grace our shores and indeed a collectors' item for those who are not able to come but are specialist stamp collectors from around the world.
Allow me to take a moment to recognise and thank the SAPOA Philately technical team who produced these wonderful designs and add my appreciation for the excellent work that they have done. Designing stamps is a specialised art and no doubt obtaining approval from a committee of ten countries could be quite challenging. However, since we have the stamps before us we can only applaud your immense effort that met with the approval of the countries involved.
In South Africa, every year the Ministry of Communications approves a stamp programme that is normally two years in advance. It is our understanding that about 100 themes are received annually. These themes are submitted to the Ministry by the Stamp Advisory Committee (SAC), comprising experts in art, communication, art galleries, etc. The Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Directors of the SAPO and members are appointed by the Minister of Communications. I raise this simply to highlight the arduous process involved which is governed by our postal policies and laws.
The delivery of the stamps is even more commendable given that serious consideration needed to be given to FIFA rules and regulations in respect of merchandise related to the World Cup event.
I extend my appreciation to FIFA for their assistance in ensuring that the stamps were produced and for their partnership throughout the duration of the promotion of the stamps worldwide.
In addition to the hobby aspect, we actively promote other benefits of stamps and stamp collecting:
* Educational value - especially for primary school learners
* Artistic value - we promote artists
* Promoting healthy families - quality time
* Therapeutic benefits
* Other hobbies - use stamp designs in fashion design or interior design

In support of the initiatives of this nature, at its ordinary meeting held in Cape Town on 21 October 2009, Cabinet recommended that the Stamp Advisory Council (SAC) issue a stamp featuring all the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia. This will become collectors' stamps and remain part of our legacy long after the 2010 games.
Before we move to the next stage of the programme to unveil the stamps, let me further acknowledge the sterling work done by the SAPOA Philately technical team in designing this excellent artwork. I would also like to express a very appreciative thank you to the 10 SADC countries. Your contribution will help to make this a very successful Soccer World Cup on our Continent. Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation to all the stakeholders who played a part in making this event possible: SAPO, FIFA, SAPOA, and the Department of Communications.
We are 62 days away from the first kick off of the FIFA World Cup and I am looking forward to meet you all again on 11 June 2010.
Let the best team win.
Na khensa