Issued by: Department of Sport and Recreation
MEDIA RELEASE BY MR STEVE TSHWETE: MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION
At the initiative of the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, a State Banquet in honour of the South African National Football team, and Pirates Football Club is to take place at the Presidential Guest-House in Pretoria on Friday, 1 March 1996. The banquet is in honour of the national team's victory in the 1996 African Cup of Nations Tournament and Orlando Pirates Football Club's victory in the 1995 Africa Champions Cup.
Each member of the two soccer teams will be presented with a specially minted medal from the South African Government. Both teams will also be receiving a special trophy. These medals are intended to serve as tokens of South African's appreciation of our national soccer team and Pirates Football Club's commitment and perseverance in reaching the unthinkable by lifting the African Cup of Nations and Africa Champions Cup Trophies from under the noses of some of the toughest national teams on the continent.
We are extremely gratified that our President decided to personally honour our soccer teams by presenting them with these medals. Their conduct on and off the sports field as well as the team building spirit which they displayed throughout the tournament, boosted morale and reflected positively on all South Africans.
Let us hope that this national reconciliation through sport will be consolidated and cemented, in the years to come in a true non-racial and democratic South Africa.
Enquiries: Mr Theron: Deputy Director: Department of Sport and Recreation
Tel: (012) 314-6218/6273 Fax: (012) 21-6187