Date: 25/11/2004
Source: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
Title: Stofile: South African Sports Awards


Address by Minister of Sport and Recreation, Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile at the South African Sports Awards, Essellen Park, Johannesburg

Honourable Premier of Gauteng, Mbhazima Shilowa
MECs, Councillors and All Representatives of Government present
Captains of Industry present
Patrice Motsepe, Tokyo Sexwale, Saki Macozoma, Moss Ngoasheng and other business leaders
Cosatu General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi
SABC CEO Peter Matlare
Distinguished Sports People
Award Nominees
Ladies and Gentlemen

Any nation’s health and status is measured by the extent of its sporting activities and achievements. To get a better view of a country, any country, one needs only look at the kinds of sport and the extent of the sporting activity each country is renowned for.

Both the AU and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan have confirmed the central role sport plays and will continue to play in the sustainable development of our societies. There is therefore no doubting that sport is a model by which we examine our societies.

We are happy that health organisations like Bonitas have joined the sports fraternity today, represented by coaches, players, trainers and administrators, in awarding these accolades to deserving South Africans. This joint venture just confirms the critical link between the health of a nation and the success in the arenas of sports.

In a very short space of time since our re-entry into international sports, our country has distinguished itself beyond any doubt and defied all belief as they collected medal after medal, winning championships even in sports codes that were considered as other countries’ domains.

Our triumphs both locally and abroad have been the work of the sports men and women that we honour today. We are not only indebted to them, but are very proud of what they have achieved for themselves and for the country.

We want to reassure all the nominees that by virtue of their nomination, they have already scored high in the country’s scoreboard and a win today can only add to the extra-ordinary sense of achievement that all of us feel today.

Just as sports teaches us how to win and how to accept defeat, South African sport has been particularly adept at breaking down racial, social and gender barriers, becoming a potent force in the creation of a united non-racial society. We hope these sportspersons we honour today will continue to shine and make all South Africans proud.

On behalf of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, the country and its people, I would like to congratulate all the winners, the organisers, the sponsors and all those who made this event a night to remember.

I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Sport and Recreation
25 November 2004