Issued by: National Youth Commission
9 March 2000
The National Youth Commission today announced its support for South Africa's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.
The Commission's Acting Chairperson, Ms Nomfundo Mbuli, and Communications Director, Paul Johnson, joined the Minister responsible for the National Youth Commission, Dr Essop Pahad, in presenting the youth component of the Bid to the visiting FIFA delegation this afternoon.
In a media statement, Ms Mbuli said the support of the Commission was based on a number of factors related to both the quality and content of South Africa's Bid proposal, as well as the historical relationship between South Africa's young people and the sport of soccer. "We believe a well-managed 2006 World Cup in South Africa yields potential benefits to young South Africans that cannot be ignored," said Mbuli. "Equally, we believe that South Africa's youth are in a position - whether as leaders of the IT industry or as volunteers - to deliver an event the world will be proud of."
The four key considerations in the Commission's announcement of support are as follows:
1. THE NATION-BUILDING POTENTIAL OF A 2006 WORLD CUP
The historical sacrifices of South African youth is part of what has ensured we are today able to present the Bid of a united and stable democratic country. The NYC is committed to the understanding that such sacrifice was about ensuring benefits and equal opportunities for future generations of young South Africans from all walks of life. We believe the 2006 Bid yields such benefits and opportunities significantly. Moreover, young South Africans have found reconciliation and understanding by meeting each other as equals on the sports fields of our country. The 1995 Rugby World Cup, the 1996 African Nations Cup and the 1998 World Cup in France has proven the power of sport in uniting our people. The unanimous support of our youth for the 2006 World Cup Bid is in that spirit of ensuring South Africa's place in the world as a beacon of hope, reconciliation and human potential. A 2006 World Cup in South Africa yields the power of consolidating the unity of our people - particularly our youth - through the common pursuit of excellence and international prestige on the world stage.
2. IMPETUS FOR THE CURRENT SA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
The vision of South Africa's National Youth Policy can be summarised into four key outcomes:
The strategic aims of South Africa's proposed National Youth Service include:
The Youth Commission is encouraged that South Africa's 2006 World Cup proposal is impeccably aligned to what has already been internationally-acclaimed to be one of the most progressive youth development frameworks in the world. Moreover, the World Cup will greatly complement ongoing youth development programmes in ensuring these aims become meaningful reality by providing the impetus and the platform for youth development, commitment and involvement. The National Youth Policy also identifies the following priority areas for the development of young South Africans:
A 2006 World Cup in South Africa presents a singular opportunity in which skills development and the application of proven talent and expertise in all these areas at the same time will provide not only a quality event, but a shining example and challenge to young South Africans of the impact they can make on the world stage in any area of endeavour.
3. RECOGNISING FIFA'S LEGACY IN RELATION TO SA YOUTH
Racism and its expression through the vile system of apartheid divided the young people of South Africa in the most cruel and oppressive fashion in all areas of life, including sport. Young South Africans were systematically brutalised, imprisoned, tortured and killed in the struggle to achieve what we have today.
Throughout the darkest days of apartheid, the sport of soccer provided inspiration to young South Africans - providing the opportunity to meet, socialise and compete. FIFA provided inspiration by courageously imposing sanctions against apartheid South Africa thus adding impetus to the struggle for democracy. FIFA made a tangible contribution in rejecting apartheid's racial division of our youth and formed part of the proud coalition of pressure which eventually brought down apartheid.
FIFA now have the opportunity to take pride of place in contributing to the building and development of the new South Africa it helped to create.
A 2006 World Cup in South Africa - in addition to providing the spectacle the world has come to expect - will also align FIFA directly with the development of South Africa's youth and thus the consolidation of South African democracy.
South African youth have led the way in breaking down the barriers dividing our society for so long. They now look to FIFA to lead the way in breaking down the remaining barriers to South Africa's potential being realised on the world stage.
4. THE HISTORICAL LOVE OF SOCCER AMONGST SA YOUTH
Not only do youth form the bulk of SA's sports community, but soccer is by far the most popular sport amongst young South Africans from both a player and spectator point of view. A World Cup in South Africa represents perhaps one of the few realistic chances for the majority of South Africa's youth to enjoy and be exposed to the premier event of their favourite sport. The enthusiasm and capacity of South Africa's young people from all walks of life to ensure packed stadiums and a successful overall spectacle of which FIFA and the international community can be proud of, should not be underestimated - as evidenced by the profitability and general success of Rugby World Cup '95 and the 1996 African Cup of Nations.
A PROPOSED ALIGNMENT WITH HISTORY
Issued by: Paul Johnson
Communications Director, Cell 082 770 0034