Hansard: Debate to Congratulate South Africa's Olympic Team on Its Performance at the 2012 Olympic Games
House: Joint (NA + NCOP)
Date of Meeting: 27 Aug 2012
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Minutes
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 204
START OF
TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2012
PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING
____________________
Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 10:04.
The Speaker of the National Assembly took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.
The SPEAKER
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 204
START OF DAY
WELCOMING OF SOUTH AFRICA'S OLYMPIC GAMES TEAM
(Announcement)
The SPEAKER: Hon members, I wish to acknowledge the presence, in the gallery, of our Olympic Team. [Applause.] Welcome to Parliament.
IsiXhosa:
Namkelekile. [You are welcome.]
English:
I also wish to acknowledge the presence, in the gallery, of the delegation of the Palestinian Legislative Council, led by its first Deputy Speaker, His Excellency Dr Ahmed Bahar. [Applause.] Hon member, welcome to our Parliament.
I also wish to welcome all the guests in the public gallery. We appreciate your presence at this Joint Sitting. A warm welcome to you all. [Applause.]
THE SPEAKER
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 204
THE SPEAKER
DEBATE TO CONGRATULATE SOUTH AFRICA'S OLYMPIC TEAM ON ITS PERFORMANCE AT THE 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION: Speaker of the National Assembly, the hon Max Sisulu, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the hon Mninwa Mahlangu, Premiers and MECs, hon Members of Parliament, all athletes and sports administrators, all sports federations, distinguished guests and fellow South Africans, I would like from the onset to affirm that July and August have been two of the most successful months in the sports calendar of South Africa since our re-admittance to the international sports arena in 1992. In August in particular South African sportswomen and men excelled, and we are here today to acknowledge and celebrate these achievements.
Of even more importance were the achievements of our women athletes as we celebrated Women's Month and the empowerment of women in sport and recreation. [Applause.] Therefore, we are gathered in this august House of our people on invitation by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.
IsiXhosa:
Siyabulela Somlomo ...
English:
... because our athletes, whenever they excelled all over the world, said they missed the doors of Parliament. Today, this Parliament sits up and takes notice, to acknowledge and celebrate, not mediocrity, but excellence. Not everyone usually gets to be acknowledged by Parliament. I hope that these young people of our country will come to realise that to excel for South Africa is not something that will be delivered on a silver platter. You have got to work hard to unite our nation ... [Applause.] ... at the same time, celebrating sports excellence that has been displayed by all our athletes who represented our beautiful country in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
By the same token, this House is assembled to congratulate all the efforts of our athletes and to provide words of encouragement to the next generation. Thus, I would like to humbly take this opportunity to thank both Houses of Parliament for hosting this important gathering on behalf of the people of South Africa to pay their unreserved tribute to all our athletes and Olympians.
The year 2012 marks one of those years in the history of South Africa where our country and our people have made tremendous strides in sport. This year, our country and athletes have done exceptionally well in their codes across the board. They have excelled and raised our sporting bar to new and higher heights. Our athletes and all our national teams have, against all odds, made our people proud and our country a winning nation. We are therefore gathered here this morning to pay homage to these heroes and heroines and to celebrate their dedication, commitment and excellence.
We are joined in the gallery by our Olympians who represented our country at the 2012 London Olympics. Together with them are the sons and daughters of our soil who accompanied them to the Olympics as their support team. In the same gallery, we must welcome the presence of our Protea Netball Team, Amantombazana ... [Applause.] ... which has just won the recently launched Netball Diamond Challenge. These girls, ladies and gentlemen, have just defeated Malawi, the number one African netball nation, and one of the top netball countries in the world. Also, in the gallery, we are joined by our sport legends, particularly the rugby veterans from the Western Cape province, who are here to grace this important gathering of our people's Parliament.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. The games are also a medium to spread the message of unity and peace among the countries of the world. At the Olympics, ambitious sports persons face the ultimate test of performance.
What makes Olympic winners achieve their goals? How does their passion fuel them to scale new heights? The answers to such questions can be found in the inner souls of the Olympians and their experiences. If you have never participated in any Olympics or any sports tournament, you will never know what these athletes go through.
To qualify my statement, let us borrow from the words of Oscar Pistorius, one of our 2012 Olympians, when he was preparing to take part in the 400m semifinals. Oscar finished last in his 400m semifinal, but won the hearts of everyone at the 2012 London Olympics. [Applause.] Whilst at the starting point, he expressed the following sentiments, and I quote:
Just standing here in the starting blocks, hearing the crowd, I was just standing, smiling, getting cramps in my cheeks. I have always been an athlete who wants to push myself as hard as I can and look up to the guys I run against. I don't have any regrets. Just being out here in front of this crowd with 70 000 people, it felt like 170 000 people. It has been an unbelievable experience for me.
These feelings by Oscar represented the feelings of thousands of athletes who participated in the Olympics and other sport tournaments, before, during, and after the events. The pressure that these young sportsmen and women go through before, during, and after the competitions, is overwhelming. Their participation in these tournaments is like representing their nations in periods of war and battle. The only thing they think of is to win, and perhaps bring glory to their nations.
Whilst winning and national glory has become the major barometer, and a particular generation of Olympians is judged upon this by their countries, it does not become the major indicator for many of our sportspersons' achievements. Without a doubt, Oscar Pistorius has truly inspired the next generation of athletes, whether they made it to the Olympics or not. He is a true South African patriot. [Applause.]
As Mr Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games argues, and I quote:"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well."
Hence, we are gathered here this morning to pay tribute to the 125 Olympians who took part in the 2012 London Olympic Games. We want to unequivocally say to all of them: Well done! You fought well; you made our country proud. We are proud of you. [Applause.]
During the weekend after South Africa and the world celebrated the 94th birthday anniversary of Nelson Mandela, on 18 July, these gallant fighters, young people of our country, reached the soil of the United Kingdom. On their arrival in the foreign land, the songs of the people of South Africa reverberated in the streets of London, welcoming Team SA to the United Kingdom for the 2012 London Olympics. At the same time, the South African flags were raised high and hoisted in South Africa House in London and on the Mandela Statue at Trafalgar Square. This was a sign of the heroic presence of the sons and daughters of the soil of South Africa.
As the Olympic team arrived in London, both cricket and golf codes had laid the foundation for South Africa's success and the Madiba magic resonated once more in the minds of our sportsmen and women. As Oliver Tambo once said to the youth of our country during the dark days of apartheid: At this hour of destiny, the country and your people need you. The future of South Africa is in your hands and it will be what you make of it.
Ernie Els won his second British Open Championship by one stroke, showing his majestic character when he outclassed Adam Scott after the world's number 13, Scott, suffered an extraordinary late collapse on an incident-packed final day. These were the greetings that welcomed Team SA in the foreign land - an extraordinary welcome of a winning nation. On the same British soil, Hashim "the Mighty" Amla broke a record at The Oval by scoring a triple century and making 311 not out, whilst Graeme Smith bagged a milestone century in his 100th test, as the Proteas took overall control of the first test against England on the third day during the same weekend. Today, we are the number one cricket test nation in the world. [Applause.]
To celebrate this historic victory, our sport legend, Gary Player, dubbed our triumph in both cricket and golf in the following manner, and I quote: " South Africa is the only country in the world, with the exception of USA, to win all majors, post-war with 24 majors. Ernie Els and the Proteas' team wins were motivated by the Mandela fighting spirit."
Regrettably, it was also on the same British soil that one of our own, three-time Cricketer of the Year, Mark Boucher, the son of the soil, got injured when a ball hit his eye during a warm-up match against Somerset in Taunton. However, when Mark touched down on South African soil to undergo surgery at the end of August, his doctor announced that Mark was in a stable condition and that he can see movements. He urged the nation to be patient because Boucher's recovery looked promising. We wished him a speedy recovery. [Applause.]
When we hosted the send-off banquet for all our Olympians and Paralympians, we reminded them that their send-off was a twin honour. It is also blessed because it coincided with Nelson Mandela's birthday and, therefore must serve as a further motivation for the team to perform for uTata Madiba. All our athletes are, therefore, blessed with the well-known inspiring Madiba magic that motivates all sportsmen and -women of South Africa to perform at their best.
These triumphant moments and majestic performances on the British soil confirmed our words to Team SA on 18 July 2012, when we said they must, in the field of sport, give our nation's message to the Queen that South Africa is a country full of possibilities. We gave them the mandate to go to London not as subjects of the crown and a delegation of the colonised and oppressed Africans but as equals in global affairs, including in sport. Today, the offspring of our forefathers who made deputations to the Queen, many years ago, were going to Great Britain to represent South Africa - once its colony - as a free country and a dignified people. Hence, our excellent performance as displayed by our sportspersons in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in July and early August, should serve as a motivational factor for all our athletes to know that South Africa is indeed a winning nation.
Our Olympians represented the country exceptionally well in London. South Africans made the biggest waves in the pool of many developing and developed nations. Our country led the group of African countries in the Olympics, and it came back home with three gold, one silver and one bronze medals. Chad le Clos won a gold medal in the 200m butterfly and a silver medal in the 100m butterfly ... [Applause.] ... switching places with American world champion, Michael Phelps, when butterflying to glory.
Cameron van der Burgh won a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke, whilst Bridgitte Hartley won the first bronze medal in the women's kayak single - K1 - 1500m race for South Africa at the Olympic Games. [Applause.] South Africa won a third gold medal in the lightweight men's rowing four event, putting our country ahead. Sizwe Ndlovu, James Thompson, Matthew Brittain and John Smith led from the front to bring gold to South Africa. [Applause.]
Caster Semenya showed lots of class by finishing second. Whereas she nearly gave us heart attacks at the beginning of the race ... [Laughter.] ...she managed to earn a deserved silver medal. She still has a bright future in athletics, and a long way to go. [Applause.] We must also remind ourselves that Caster has had to endure lots of unfair pressure in the past with those questioning her gender. Nevertheless, Suzaan van Biljon made the final in the 200m breaststroke, breaking the African record. Our sprinter Anaso Jobodwana made it to the finals in the 200m race and he, too, is showing much promise for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games. [Applause.]
South Africa is, indeed, a winning nation. As Jesse Owens puts it: We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.
South Africa has passed the 2012 Olympic examinations with flying colours.
In the 2012 London Olympics, Africa was represented by 53 nations. In the end, only 10 African countries took home medals, two of them for the first time. South Africa led the African table. Our country has again emerged as a winning nation once more, after dashing the dreams of the so-called leading nations in sport and recreation.
In the plunder of confusion, South Africa has outscored countries like Argentina, Trinidad, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and many more, to become number 21 in the world. [Applause.] South Africa has been the number one African country in the 2012 London Olympics. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Ms N W MAKGATE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 205
The MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION
Ms M W MAKGATE: Hon Speaker, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon Members of Parliament, and, most importantly, our special guests – the heroes and heroines of our Olympic team – dumelang. [I greet you.] We are meeting today in honour and in celebration of our team of young people who stood up and said that they were ready and available to represent their country against other nations in the 2012 London Olympic Games. That spirit of patriotism alone should be celebrated. When the team that represented us in Beijing came back from the 2008 Olympic Games with one medal, we were all disappointed. However, today, we are celebrating six medals, and this is a huge improvement compared to our performance in Beijing.
On 19 July 2012, on the occasion of bidding farewell to our athletes on their way to the historic 2012 London Olympic Games, a multitude of South Africans gathered at O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg wished Team SA good luck and a successful trip. There was no doubt in our minds that our team was going to make us proud.
We cherished each and every moment as our athletes qualified in different stages and even when they qualified for the finals. Our faces beamed with pride when, on 29 July 2012, Cameron van der Burgh won a gold medal in swimming in the men's 100m breaststroke. On 31 July 2012, Chad le Clos won a gold medal in the men's 200m butterfly. Again, on 2 August, a third gold medal was won by the rowing team of Matthew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu, John Smith, and James Thompson. A silver medal was also won by Chad le Clos in the men's 100m butterfly. On 9 August, our first bronze medal came, won by Bridgitte Hartley in the women's K1 500m. Our last medal was a silver medal in the women's 800m athletics event, won by Caster Semenya on 11 August 2012.
We will be making a big mistake if we fail to recognise and celebrate the courage and persistence of a young woman who was laughed at, embarrassed, called all sorts of names and subjected to unfair treatment for no apparent reason. I talk here of the daughter of the soil, Caster Semenya. [Applause.] Despite having been unfairly treated, she refused to give up, refused to back down, or to be broken down by negativity. Caster brought home an Olympic silver medal, and we need to celebrate it unambiguously. [Applause.] This is a huge achievement after what she was subjected to by her own people and the international media. Caster, I salute you. Your spirit reminds me of the spirit of the women of 1956, who stood against injustice and fought to the bitter end. I have no doubt that you will bring back a gold medal from Brazil in 2016.
I also wish to pay special tribute to Oscar Pistorius for making history by being the first double amputee to compete at the able-bodied Olympics. Guys, we are proud of you. Well done.[Applause.] Let me take this opportunity to say well done also to those who did not win medals, because they gave it their best. Some made it to the finals in their respective events, and others achieved personal best times and broke South African records. You are all champions. You made your contribution to national cohesion. Qualifying to participate in the Olympics is an achievement in itself.
In conclusion, this is Women's Month. I therefore would like to take this opportunity to salute all women in Team SA. Your contribution did not go unnoticed. We are proud of you. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M W RABOTAPI
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 206
Ms N W MAKGATE
Mr M W RABOTAPI: Mr Speaker, Mr Gideon Sam, the President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Sascoc, Olympians and the Chairperson of the NCOP, I stand before you, in this Assembly, on behalf of the DA, to congratulate you, our nations' Olympians who answered the call to represent our country in the most compelling of global competitions.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and the majesty of excellence. It has also been a prism, through which the light of our common humanity has shone, reflecting and bringing together all segments of our diverse society and global family in a bond of mutual respect. You, our giants of the games, have done your part by uniting a common passion within all South Africans. The country is proud of all of you for flying our national flag high against competitors from around the world. We were filled with pride and joy when we saw some of our athletes ascending the Olympic podium for our National Anthem to be rendered in honour of all of us.
These moments have left an indelible imprint in our hearts and minds and will no doubt have inspired a generation of future Olympians. You have proved, once again, that sport can be a powerful tool to promote nation-building. We must seize this opportunity you have provided and nurture the talented athletes of the future, bringing together different racial and cultural backgrounds to develop the shared goal of a united South Africa. We must seize the opportunity to use sports to break down social barriers. You, our Olympic athletes, have given us a powerful reminder that we are one team, one nation.
The DA calls on the government to find ways and means of efficiently spending more on school sports development programmes so that our schools can become nurseries for grooming future athletes and sports administrators. [Applause.] The DA also calls upon the private sector to invest more in sports development to support the efforts of government, thereby displaying their belief and trust in our future Olympians. The DA is of the view that more emphasis should be placed on the sporting codes that are not popular and not well funded, so that we truly embody the spirit of equality and opportunities for all.
On a final note, I am sure that all South Africans would agree that our Olympians have done themselves and all South Africans proud. It is said that, spectacular achievements are always preceded by less spectacular preparation. We acknowledge the sacrifices and dedication of our wonderful athletes, their families, friends, Sascoc, government and the passionate supporters of Team SA.
Setswana:
Motsogapele ene a re, kgakakgolo ga ke na mebala, mebala e dikgakaneng. A tswelele ka gore, moengnyana pele, lebone la gaabo. Mmusakgotla, a me a kalo. Ke a leboga. [Legofi.]
Mr G P D MACKENZIE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 206
Mr M W RABOTAPI
Mr G P D MACKENZIE: Hon Speaker, on behalf of Cope, it is a great honour for me today to participate in this debate. Nothing unifies a nation like sport. This has been seen in the UK after the London Olympics, after the postapartheid era in South Africa, with the Rugby World Cup and the Fifa World Cup, and in South Korea after their Fifa World Cup.
Today, we honour the sportsmen and -women who have represented Team SA at the London Olympics. These athletes have made us proud, and have represented us with honour and distinction. South Africa placed 23rd overall and finished top of the African continent's medal table. Our benchmark however, with respect to our fellow African nations, should be way higher than this.
As a nation of 50 million sport-centric people, we needed to be regarded at the Olympics as a top 10 country. In order to achieve this, various structural changes in our thinking and planning need to come into effect. The fact that our athletes competed this well on a meagre budget of R100 million is nothing short of amazing, when one considers how other nations view the importance of sport to their national psyche.
Many of these athletes who participated had very limited funds and facilities to utilise in order to prepare for the challenge of medals. Our goal of 12 medals was, perhaps, not realistic in the circumstances. However, one must not take away the immense honour and pride we felt as South Africans when we witnessed our athletes competing and winning medals and, in one instance, when the world record was broken. [Applause.]
Our budget in the Department of Sport and Recreation is not sufficient to really achieve our goals. If you were to ask these athletes here today and others who did not qualify for the games, they will all say, to be a top 10 nation, they will probably need more money and particularly world-class facilities and coaching. A look at Australia revealed a total spend of R1, 4 billion per year to prepare their sportsmen and -women for the Olympics.
In recognising funding challenges, the corporate sector sponsorship needs to be spread more equally across some Olympic sports codes and not only focus on cricket, football and rugby, which are our traditional strengths. In certain sports codes, we need to improve the quality of administration and governance so we can in fact get these sponsorships.
As a nation, we have two choices, when we want to double or triple our medal count. There is a short-term solution, which is less expensive or we can take the long-term strategic approach in order to be world contenders.
The first option is simple. Let us offer citizenship immediately to Usain Bolt, John Blake, Michael Phelps and the Kenyan long-distance runners, whom if combined with our medals, will give us the 20 plus medals we want.
And I would also like to commend our swimmers, with offers from other countries, for having not changed their nationality for financial gain. [Applause.]
The second option below should seriously be the way to go, and the following should be our plan of action. We need to identify the top 10 codes, where we can win and be successful, for example, swimming, as we already have a proud track record and facilities, rowing and kayaking - where our natural resources like rivers and lakes could be utilised for training, and would be far less expensive to develop; athletics - where mountain ranges and flat spaces are in abundance and could be utilised for this purpose. In Kenya, they use their natural resources to their advantage, and we must do the same; hockey for men and women; boxing; judo; wrestling; cycling; football, etc.
We should then have a 10-year plan to identify and train athletes in these targeted codes. In order to identify talent, facilities in rural and urban areas need to be established. Three high-performance centres could then be developed to replicate Tukkies around the country, and finally the construction of a world-class Olympic facility, which will cater for all the major codes. This facility could be constructed from one of the existing Fifa World Cup stadiums that are currently underutilised. Smaller codes must not be forgotten, but sanity must prevail - we cannot be all things to all people.
As a nation, we have noticed how other nations have focused on their strengths, instead of diluting their resources. This is true for countries that placed between 4 and 15 on the medal table. Only three countries can compete across the board, namely the USA, China and the UK. They have the funds and facilities, which other countries do not enjoy. The answer is to be selective in the areas of excellence that currently exist. We only have to look at the emergence of countries like South Korea and Japan in football to understand the benefits of selective targeting of sports codes.
However, the above will be compromised if the young people do not have access to participate in sport, both at school and community level. We urge government to drive the new schools sports plan to increase the numbers of our youth playing sport, which will ensure us as a nation that we have a broader base of athletes to select from, and will in turn create a healthy and a winning nation. We urge all teachers to buy into the importance of sport for our children and participate with them.
In saluting all the athletes here today, I wish to say that your efforts and achievements have renewed faith and hope in our country, particularly after the tragedies that have occurred in Marikana. It has taken our minds off the dark times.
Who will ever forget the image on our TV sets when our flag was raised while Chad le Clos was on the podium with a gold medal draped around his neck, was full of emotions and unable to sing the national anthem? That is true South Africaness. That is unity. [Applause.]
To all the other medal winners, well done! To those that have not won, we are just as proud of you, your participation has made us incredibly proud. Sport truly has a major role to play in unifying us during the most difficult times. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr B M HLENGWA
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 207
Mr G P D MACKENZIE
Mr B M HLENGWA: Hon Speaker, on behalf of the IFP, I rise to this podium to salute the 2012 SA Olympic Team for having represented our country with passion, commitment and dedication during the 2012 London Olympic Games. We are proud of the six medals that our team has brought home to South Africa. Indeed, we view their achievements as our victory. We are inspired by their patriotism and determination to serve their country.
Team SA proved once again that sport has the power to unify, even in diversity. Sport has the power to cause people to put aside their differences and to put the country first. It also had the power to rally 50 million South Africans to stand behind Team SA, forging all of us to become their supporters and into one powerful cheerleading team spurring them on to victory.
However, please understand this, for the IFP, victory means your participation. Whether you won or lost is not the great issue for us. You were victorious the moment you said yes to becoming a member of Team SA and donned our uniform. [Applause.]
Many thanks should go to every athlete, the support staff, trainer and coach. The IFP joins all South Africans in congratulating our athletes for their fine achievements at the Olympics. Indeed, the sun shall never set on such a glorious achievement.
A wise man once said, "Failing to plan is planning to fail." We should view these words as a call for an action to begin right now. Right now the journey to the 2016 Olympic Games should begin. The SA Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee, Sascoc, must be in a position to present the roadmap to 2016 before the nation by the end of this year, the very latest.
I repeat, for 2016, planning must be at the top of Sascoc's planning agenda. We cannot, we must not and we dare not leave preparations for 2016 to the last minute. [Applause.]
The continued absence of sports schools of excellence, in our country, is great detriment to future success. Education and sport must be intertwined. Talent in both rural and urban centres must be nurtured, without negating the importance of education. Resources and facilities must be readily available for our athletes in our country to train in order to maximise their chances of success.
Today we celebrate the achievement of six medals, albeit we did not reach our target of 12. The reality is that Team SA cannot expect to succeed at a professional level, if we are not going to invest at grassroots level. Failing to plan now will result in failing to meet the targets for 2016, which is something that we do not want to happen.
Our athletes have proven beyond all reasonable doubt that they are committed and ready to serve their country. In turn, their country in general and their government in particular must ensure that they receive all the training they need from as early as possible. Future success demands early investment.
On behalf of the IFP, I also wish to convey to our Paralympic Team our well-wishes as they too prepare to represent South Africa in London. We assure them of our enthusiastic support. The prayers of the IFP - and I am sure of all South Africans too - will be with them all the way.
We call upon all our athletes with us here today to continue to inspire hope by helping to identify talent and also by mentoring others also when they return home.
Yes, not all of you won medals, but indeed all of you have won the hearts of all South Africans. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr M H HOOSEN
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 207
Mr B M HLENGWA
Mr M H HOOSEN: Hon Speaker, I join the chorus of support in recognising the wonderful achievements of our SA Olympic Team. They have indeed done us all proud and represented our country with great distinction.
Our results at the 2012 London Olympics this year - the best performance yet - is proof that when the right ingredients of good government support, hard work, perseverance, a hunger for victory and an excellent family support structure are combined, our athletes have a winning recipe. This is why now is the time to make an even greater investment in our young athletes.
Much has been said about the achievements of our athletes and we are all indeed very proud of what they have done. Let us also pay tribute and recognise the massive contribution and sacrifices that their families have made to raise our athletes to victory. Their successes bear testimony to the results that one can achieve when you have the backing of a strong family support structure.
This is why more parents must make greater sacrifices in the development of our children, and play a more active role in their development and success.
Whilst we are all indeed very proud of the entire team, I would like to pay special tribute to two people in particular. Caster Semenya has proved, against all odds, to the world that no matter what people have said, no matter what names they may have called her, Caster just got faster! [Laughter.] [Applause.]
She is an inspiration to the thousands of young South African children who live their lives every day with the sense of inferiority because of their historical backgrounds and economic circumstances. You proved Caster that - no matter what a person's background is; no matter what names people may have called you; and no matter what the world might have said - if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything in life. [Applause.]
In our eyes, you have won gold even before the race had started. I hope that this is the message that you will take to the children from the poorest corners of our country, and give them a reason to believe in themselves, so they too will one day compete on the world stage and win.
I want to also pay tribute to my KwaZulu-Natal, KZN, homeboy. South Africa had gone mad about Chad, and for the right reasons too. [Applause.] Chad le Clos has done us all very proud and has inspired thousands of young budding swimmers in KZN, and all over South Africa, to become the next Olympics superstar. I have to admit though that I am somewhat envious and sad about his success, because my daughter has now replaced all the photos of dad with those of Chad in her bedroom. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
On behalf of the ID, I would like to congratulate our team for a job well done. Thank you for what you have done for our country. More people in the world today take us more seriously than they have ever done before. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr N M KGANYAGO
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 207
Mr M H HOOSEN
Mr N M KGANYAGO: Mr Speaker and fellow South Africans, on behalf of the UDM, I would like to join my colleagues, in this House, in congratulating the SA Olympic Team on its performance at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Well done! We are proud of you.
Sepedi:
Re tloga re iphsina ka lena. Re ekwa re thabile mo mmeleng ge re nagana ka lena. Le ge le be le le kua, re be re hlwa re ekwa re thabile fela.
English:
We are happy to hear that our medallists have been rewarded for their achievements. However, while giving our medal winners R400 000 for a gold medal, R200 000 for a silver and R80 000 for a bronze has been a good a start, much more must be done to invest in the development of athletics in South Africa. We must ensure that we appropriately reward the athletes for their hard work.
For example, immediately after the 2012 Olympic London Games finished, there were media reports about the handsome reward Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago has received. Just as a reminder, Keshorn Walcott threw 84,58m in the men's javelin to win the nation its first Olympic gold in the athletics field. According to the British Broadcasting Co-operation, BBC, he was given R1,3 million, a luxury house, about 20 000 acres of land and a lighthouse, for his sterling performance. Even a Caribbean Airline got named after him. [Interjections.]
We are at all neither suggesting that we rename the SA Airways, the SAA, after Caster Semenya or Chad le Clos or Cameron van der Burgh or any other of our athletes, nor are we suggesting that we establish exorbitant incentive schemes for athletes that we cannot sustain.
However, if a journalist stands to win a staggering R500 000 more than a gold medallist for just correctly guessing the results of the SA Professional Soccer League, the PSL, games, then something is seriously wrong here with our incentive structures for the various sports codes. [Interjections.] [Laugter.]
Whilst we commend the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula – I wonder if ... I want to see him, where is he ... [Laughter.] ... yes, that's right - for the sterling leadership and the support he provided and continues to provide to the SA Olympic Team and our sports codes, we call on the private sector to double the investment in the development of athletics in South Africa.
The fact that this team was able to do well in the 2012 London Olympic Games with limited resources, clearly demonstrates that we do have what it takes to become world beaters. We just need to plough more resources into the development structures.
I want to end up with a quote by Plato when he says: No two individuals are born alike. Each differs from each in natural endowments, one being suited for one occupation and another for another. Everything will be produced in superior quality and quantities when each man works at his occupation in accordance with his natural endowment. Well done!
Sepedi:
Le šomile banna. Re a leboga. [Legoswi.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 208
Mr N M KGANYAGO
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Speaker, on behalf of the FF Plus I want to congratulate our Olympic team on their achievements.
How does one compare the different countries' number of medals with each other? The size of a country's population and therefore also the size of its team should certainly be taken into consideration when one draws comparisons, not to mention the amount of money which these big countries spend in the preparation of their Olympic participants.
The United States chooses an Olympic team from 300 million people and China from 1 300 million, as opposed to South Africa's 50 million. Interestingly if, for example, the ratio of medals won to the number of the Chinese population is calculated, China comes 74th and not second. Out of more than 200 countries, South Africa came 23rd and we were the best team in Africa. It's a special achievement and we would like to congratulate you all.
Just like in a big family, everyone in South Africa shared in the achievements of every winner who obtained a medal. We must remember that victory has many fathers, but failure is an orphan. Maybe you should ask Bafana Bafana; they haven't had a solid victory recently. [Laughter.] If we are one sporting family in South Africa, then Bafana Bafana is like that brother who is in jail. [Laughter.] You still like him, but you don't talk about him that often anymore. [Laughter.]
Afrikaans:
Springbokrugby het die naweek ook maar teen Argentinië gesukkel, en gelykop gespeel. Dit is nie opwindend nie. Die rugbyspelers sal vir u sê dat dit maar dieselfde is soos om jou suster te soen. Dit het dieselfde opwinding. [Gelag.]
English:
Therefore, thank you to the medal winners who made us feel good. The Minister of Sport and the sporting administrators should look very well after these athletes. We should spend much more money on preparing them for the next Olympic Games, and to retain them for South Africa. We cannot afford – like in cricket, for example – to lose our best players. For example, at present many South Africans are playing for Britain against us. Fortunately we won the recent cricket test series against them. I sent the following message to my British acquaintances, "We won the cricket series against you because our South Africans were better than your South Africans!" [Laughter.] [Applause.] May this not happen to the Olympic team!
Today, exactly 29 years ago, Sydney Maree broke the world record in the 1 500m in Cologne. As a black man, he was selected as South Africa's athlete of the year in 1981. I also want to honour everyone who in the past, like Sydney, had excelled and upon which this team could build their achievements.
To the members of the team who did not win medals, remember that there is a huge difference between being a failure and failing three times. After a hundred failures you can still make a success. Muhammad Ali, world boxing champion, said, and I quote:
Remember, a heavyweight match is 15 rounds. If you lose a few rounds or even get knocked down, it doesn't matter, as long as you eventually get up and eventually win. It's the same in life. The ability to consistently rebound from setbacks and disappointments is the mark of a champion.
Thank you, Sir. [Applause.]
Mr W F FABER
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 208
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Mr W F FABER: Hon Chair, Minister, members and guests, it is indeed an honour for me to represent the DA in this debate today.
During his first term as the South African President, Nelson Mandela initiated a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land, and enlisted the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and promote unity and reconciliation. He asked Francois Pienaar, and I quote: " How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us to do the impossible?"
Madiba stated: I am the pastor of my fate and the captain of my soul.
Madiba proudly wore his number 6 Springbok rugby jersey during the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a symbol of unity.
According to the experts, the Springboks would only be able to reach the quarterfinals and not further. That Springbok rugby team had to become more than just a rugby team; they had to become a symbol of hope to inspire and unite the rainbow nation. Francois Pienaar and his team won that Rugby World Cup to help start building this wonderful nation we have today.
Today we congratulate an Olympic team that had no historical legacy of participation and of winning medals, as we were isolated for so long. Through sheer determination and courage these athletes did the same as the 1995 Springbok rugby team. Congratulations to each and every athlete who took part in the London Olympic Games. We salute you!
Although government does not adequately support our sports stars financially as in other countries like the US or England, these athletes did not betray our country and look for greener pastures like many other sportsmen do these days. It is time that government looks at the results of other countries that are of similar size and state of development that performed better than us, in order to understand the importance of financial resources, and to enable athletes to train and become the best of the best.
Today we also want to thank Princess Charlene of Monaco for accommodating our national swimming team and assisting them in their preparations before the London Olympic Games. She, at her own cost, took it upon herself to finance accommodation and training facilities for our swimming team to prepare well before the games. This kind of patriotic support inspires greatness. [Applause.]
Her great gesture provided our swimmers with quality time to prepare properly in order to be ready to compete at the highest level. And this action taken by Princess Charlene is exactly the type of patriotism that Nelson Mandela referred to when he spoke about inspiring a nation.
After being given this opportunity by Princess Charlene of Monaco, our national swimmers did not disappoint when we look at the medal tally. The performances of our swimmers inspired the rest of the athletes to rise to the occasion when it was their time to compete and shine.
We too are inspired by your collective efforts and should show the same commitment and dedication in inspiring our nation to prosperity and success.
This South African Olympic team of 2012 also gives momentum to our Paralympic team that is currently in London for the Paralympics. We would like to wish them well and for them to also look forward to a hero's welcome when they return with their medal haul.
Lastly, South Africa got two unheralded gold medals from our agricultural sector. Two of the three in-house wines that were used in the London Olympic Games, Chenin Blanc and Rosé from Stellenrust, came from South Africa. Our Ministers should perhaps have a few sips of those wines while discussing the budget for the next Olympic Games! [Laughter.]
The suggested slogan for the 2016 Olympic team should be as follows: Winning is not everything, but the only thing. I thank you. [Applause.]
Rev K R J MESHOE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 208
Mr W F FABER
Rev K R J MESHOE: Chairperson, the ACDP supports Parliament in congratulating Team SA for their great achievement at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. We pay special tribute to all our athletes who represented us well, and who brought us medals, particularly the following four who were the first in different ways.
The first is Cameron van der Burgh, who set a world record of 58,46 seconds in the 100m breaststroke to become the first South African to win an Olympic gold in an individual swimming event. As water sport is bringing this country more medals, government should consider investing more resources in it so that our swimmers can successfully defend their world records and bring us more gold medals.
The second one I want to focus on is Sizwe Motaung, sorry, Sizwe Ndlovu ... [Laughter.]... sorry, Sizwe Ndlovu ... [Laughter] ... who was part of the victorious South African lightweight men's four that included team-mates James Thompson, Matthew Brittain and John Smith, who caused a major upset by beating the favourites, Great Britain, to win a gold medal. Indeed, Sizwe has been an inspiration to a new generation of black athletes who, I hope, will plan to take part in water sports. The ACDP also applauds Sizwe and his team-mates for winning South Africa's first ever Olympic rowing gold medal. [Applause.]
The third one is Oscar Pistorius, who is also known as "the blade runner" and the fastest man without legs. Pistorius, who is a double below-knee amputee, is the world record holder for T44 in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Pistorius became the first double-leg amputee to participate in the Olympics when he entered the men's 400m race and was part of South Africa's 4x400m relay team. [Applause.]
The fourth is swimmer Chad le Clos, who ended the reign of his all-time-hero, and two-time Olympic champion, Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly. Well done, Sir! [Applause.]
These men did not only win gold medals for their country, but they made history, and I believe that they deserve to be honoured.
While government is busy renaming streets – and I heard what my colleague said – and some facilities after people who fought against apartheid in different ways, the ACDP hereby appeals to them to consider honouring these Olympic champions by renaming some streets or facilities, which are still to be renamed, after them. [Applause.] Government has honoured many dead people. Now is the time to start honouring the living champions who have put South Africa on the international stage. [Interjections.]
To all those who did not bring any medals, we also salute you and thank you for representing your country with excellence. [Applause.] You have done very well in achieving what none of the Members of Parliament have achieved! Thank you. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
Mr I S MFUNDISI
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 209
Mr K R J MESHOE
Mr I S MFUNDISI: Hon Chairperson and members, I would like to start off by quoting a few lines from a generous poet who shared his brilliant words in the public domain, but wished to remain anonymous, and I quote:
To live a successful life
Does not require
Money, fame, power, prestige
Or status symbols ...
It's more a matter of
Being true to your own beliefs and principles,
Doing your best,
Even in the smallest of things ...
We, in the UCDP, believe that our athletes lived up to the spirit and dictum of the poem.
It is no secrete that there is a need for more resources to be channelled towards our athletes, for us to achieve optimal results. However, in spite of such a need, these men and women went on and did their utmost to achieve the success in whose sunbeam we are now all basking.
The fact that they have attained the highest number of medals amongst the countries representing the African continent and occupied the 24th overall position, is such a boost for our egos as a sport-loving country. This was indeed South Africa's best Olympic performance since its reinstatement into the Games in 1992.
It appears that after the nation's dismal performance in the Beijing Olympics, we went on and upped our game and have this time proven capable and proven to be, to quote the Minister, "a force to be reckoned with." Hard work and commitment have surely paid off and their success continues to steal and warm our hearts. Our athletes lived up to the maxim "we all fall to rise". They rose like a phoenix from the ashes of 2008.
As the UCDP, we are proud that the country sent a total of 134 athletes - 70 men and 64 women - to the games in London. The equitable gender representation suggests that the SA Olympic Team is sensitive to the key issues that we have to deal with as a country and as a sporting fraternal, and acknowledges that women are as capable in sports as men, and that women's participation in sports is not an exceptional issue but a norm.
I'm sure that with the feat having been achieved during women's month, we are all more chuffed that the runner Caster Semenya, and Bridgitte Hartley have given South African women another reason to celebrate being women.
We specifically want to acknowledge our gold medallists Chad le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh, the rowers, Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain, John Smith and James Thomson. They truly did the nation proud and should in turn be very proud of themselves and their achievements. We acknowledge that of all the 134 men and women, and I quote: "You are truly inspirational and you have all given us, as a country, something fresh and positive to reflect on, amidst all the tragic times we live in." [Time expired.]
There is no doubt that preparations for Rio 2016 have started in earnest. I thank you. [Applause.]
Ms G S SINDANE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 209
Mr I S MFUNDISI
Siswati:
Nks G S SINDANE: Mhlon Sihlalo Wemkhandlu Wavelonkhe Wemaprovinsi, Mengameli, Nelisekela lakhe, labangekho, Tindvuna Tematiko, mhlon lobalulekile lamuhla, umhlon Mbalula, ...
English:
... it is with a sense of pride and gratitude that this august House is afforded the opportunity to reflect on the joy that the country is engulfed with as a result of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
As the ANC celebrates its centenary, we reflect on the vision we had for one nation participating and building the nation as one, without any colour or creed. This is a privilege given to us to make congratulatory statements to Team SA that represented us excellently with distinction, and to re-echo the exuberant mood we had in the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Indeed, history repeats itself.
The rainbow nation has again displayed what South Africa is known for in the global world, a nation united in diversity. We want to say to Team SA that your dedication, determination, commitment, warm team spirit and tolerance are the best characteristics of a winning nation. You have indeed imbued the country, South Africa.
All eyes and ears were fixed on London by almost every citizen in our various corners. South Africa has been delighted by the patriotism displayed for the country. Indeed, you soldiered on very well. We were held glued in the quest of acquiring gold, gold, more gold, silver or bronze. Yes, you made us proud. Keep it up! [Applause.]
Our spirit was rekindled by the enthusiasm and to never surrender. Even when the tide was high and the competition so stiff, yes, Banyana Banyana, you persevered. You qualified for the first time for the Olympic Games - you made us proud. Forward ever and backward never! [Applause.]
Our thumbs are up for our Paralympics. Bring gold, gold and more gold home. South Africa is waiting for you!
Allow us to commend the South African media for keeping us updated throughout the games. Your sterling work did not go unnoticed. Keep it up! Team SA, the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Mbalula, the State President, Mr J G Zuma, congratulations for making South Africa so proud in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Our flag is still flying high in the world.
Allow us to say to the athletes that let us start flexing our muscles for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games now.
As I conclude, we want to pour our pride as the women of South Africa as our month draws to an end.
Siswati:
Siyatichenya ngani bantfwabetfu. Kitsi akusiwo emagama kutsi bani utfole igolide bani utfole isiliva, kodvwa kitsi tsine bomake benu nonkhe niwinile. [Tandla.] Sitsandza kutsi nitigcabhe, nati kutsi bomake benu bayatichenya ngani. Sitichenya ngako konkhe lenikwentile. Legolide iluphawu lwekutsi igolide vele iphuma lapha ekhaya, buyani nayo. Ngiyanibonga. Siyabonga bantfwabetfu; kutala kutelula. Niphindze nentenjalo; silindzele lokuhle. Ngiyanibonga kakhulu.
Mr L M MPHAHLELE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 210
Mr G S SINDANE
Afrikaans:
Mnr L M MPHAHLELE: Agb Voorsitter, gaste en ons Olimpliese sportvroue en sportmanne. Ons eer ons atlete vandag met hul prestasies gedurende die Olimpiese Spele en ons is baie trots om saam met hulle Suid-Afrikaners genoem te word. [Applous.] Welgedaan!
English:
The PAC would like to thank Team SA for making the country and continent proud. All of you, without exception, the medallists and nonmedallists, have flown the country's flag with pride and honour. You are heroes and heroines. You have strengthened the bond of our nationhood and solidified the foundation of our oneness. You have not only won medals but you have won the admiration of the entire population across colour, creed, culture and class. We look at you and see the possibility and the untold potential of a nation destined for greatness. You are great, one and all.
Equally great are the South African print and electronic journalists, who reported the London Olympics with supreme dedication.
True warriors sharpen their spears shortly after victory. They do not bask in the glory of past successes. Now is the time to start preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics and beyond. Let us invest more resources in sport development from an early age, especially in the rural areas and townships.
South Africa must insist on the inclusion of more sporting codes in the next Olympics because I'm convinced that if motivational speaking was an Olympic code, hon Mbalula could have won a gold medal. [Laughter.] If hairstyle was an Olympic code, hon Trollip could have won a gold medal. [Laughter.] If singing was an Olympic code, hon President Zuma could have won a gold medal. [Laughter.] And if maintaining order in the House was an Olympic code, hon Sisulu, the Speaker to the National Assembly, could have won a gold medal. [Laughter.] [Time expired.]
Mr R B BHOOLA
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 210
Mr L M MPHAHLELE
Mr R B BHOOLA: Mr Speaker, the MF considers sports to be a union, uniting the wills of government, the athletes, the South African population, all coaches, the media and sports administrators to create a will greater than the will of sports created by any country in the world.
However, in reality, it is not how we have taught it to be. It will have its trials and tribulations, but after every fall, we all should rise to a level greater than the level before the fall.
Madiba has mentioned in a message he wrote in 1996 where he said: "Sports serve as a vehicle to address unemployment, crime, poverty, transformation and nation-building." I have no doubt that our Olympic Team 2012 will live up to that expectation.
On behalf of the MF, I want to commend all our athletes for their phenomenal performance in London. They surely deserve a pat on the back for carrying our country forward and bringing us glory as a rainbow nation. We can walk tall in the international arena, flying under one banner: Proudly South African.
We understand the sacrifices and efforts that were made to bring our athletes to where they are today.
Martin Luther King once said: "I have a dream." The MF is cautious of the dreams that our athletes had to bring them to this glory today. We say, never stop dreaming until all your dreams come true.
There was nothing that was more overwhelming in our lives than to watch our country taking those medals and our athletes displaying their talents with enthusiasim, joyfulness, love and commitment.
This reminds me of the profound words of the late leader of the MF and former MEC of Sports and Recreation in KwaZulu-Natal, KZN, Mr Amichand Rajbansi, who said: "No child must be deprived of his or her talent based on poverty."
I am however tempted to say KwaZulu-Natal is the leading province. Nevertheless, all our athletes are a great inspiration to build sports in our country and to emulate the youth.
I don't believe that you should have any resources to accomplish success - I believe it is through discipline, commitment and the love for the game.
Our athletes moved with speed like lightening. They must tell us what it is that we need to do so that we can advance the development of sports. Instead of us talking as Parliamentarians, you tell us, and maybe we are going to consider some of your recommendations. Sport has always been a top-down approach. You give us a bottom-up approach.
The MF also congratulates our women for their astounding victory in netball. .
Thank you for the opportunity to address all our brilliant athletes that leads us today. We must open the doors to all sectors of the South African society to enter the sporting economy.
As we continue as a country to advance with our organisational ability and retain the number-one position in cricket in the world, let's, with athletics, instil a spirit of self-perseverance, marching forward with courage, conviction, determination, and ultimately, deliver South Africa as the number-one nation in the world. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Mr K J DIKOBO
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 210
Mr R B BHOOLA
Mr K J DIKOBO: Hon Chairperson, Mtungwa, hon Speaker, hon members, Team SA, guests and fellow South Africans, today is a special day for us, a day to say well done to our Olympic team. We screamed and shouted during the games. While they could not hear the country screaming as they took part in the games, I am sure that deep down they knew that the country was behind them. So, today we have a chance to shake their hands and hug them, and tell them that we are proud of what they have achieved.
This message is directed to all of them, not only those who got medals. Qualifying for the Olympics is in itself a big achievement and a medal of any colour is a cherry on top.
We are told that Olympics is about friendship and participation, it is about good sportsmanship and fairness. We congratulate our team for sticking to the principle of fair play. We have heard of reports on other athletes, from other countries, being suspected of having engaged in illegal activities to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors. Azapo is happy that not a single athlete from South Africa is counted among those. So, we say thank you to Team SA for not putting us to shame. [Applause.]
We know of the efforts that you made to get you to where you are. We are aware of the sacrifices that you had to make. You had to rise against all odds, and literally had to reach out to grab opportunities.
That is why Azapo calls upon you to continue to be an inspiration to the youth of South Africa. It is through you that our young people could know that hard work pays. Inspire our young ones so that they can understand that, given a chance, any person can succeed in life. In you, our children must see that even a child from the dusty streets of Moletjie, Libode or Putsonderwater can achieve great things.
We had very high hopes and gave you a big target. Azapo says that you did not disappoint. You did your best. You have laid a solid base and foundation on which our country can plan to go to greater heights.
So, we are doing what we have been taught by our parents, to say thank you for what you have received before you ask for more.
Sepedi:
Legatong la Azapo, ke tlaleletša polelo yeo e lego gona. Re re le šomile; naga kamoka e ikgantšha ka lena. Le bile mohlala wo mobotse setšhabeng. Tšwelang pele go dira bjalo.
English:
We pray for God's blessings upon you as you continue with your careers, and may all your endeavours in your personal lives also bear fruit.
We say good luck to the Paralympic team and we are looking forward to another debate for us to come and congratulate them. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr N T GODI
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 210
Mr K J DIKOBO
Mr N T GODI: Chairperson, comrades and hon members, the APC joins Parliament in paying tribute to all the athletes who went to London to represent our country. The true spirit of the Olympics is more about participation than victory. It was a proud moment, seeing our athletes walk into the stadium during the opening ceremony. We salute all the participants. You have all made us proud before the nations of the world.
We salute our medallists. You have put South Africa in a position of pride and honour. Your successes are a product of hard work, focus, determination but also the result of the uplifting spirit of solidarity from your fellow athletes and the nation as a whole.
The APC would like to thank the public broadcaster, the SABC, for bringing the London Olympics to our living rooms so comprehensively, which helped us to understand and appreciate the achievements of Team SA more. The APC would like to also thank the officials for their hard work and leadership that helped us achieve this feat. The government, through the Sports and Recreation Ministry, must be equally applauded for the support and leadership given to our team.
We will forever cherish those moments when our medallists stood on the podium to receive their medals. Who can forget Chad Le Clos' father, just being his excited and handsome self or Caster Semenya's grandmother, 11:21 encouraging everyone to support her granddaughter so energetically, that one would be forgiven for thinking that she could run the 100m sprint.
To our Olympiads, we are proud of you. You have done us proud; you have brought honour and glory to our country. We love you. I thank you. [Applause.]
Mr J J GUNDA
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 211
Mr N T GODI
Mr J J GUNDA: Hon Chairperson, hon members and Team SA in the gallery, let me just say, today we are gathered at this Joint Sitting to officially recognise the achievement of our 2012 SA Olympic Team that participated in London. On behalf of the ID, we congratulate you for the medals you have won, six in total. It has been a magnificent performance, and you have made us proud. Well done, once again!
We commend you for your dedication and the many hours you spent training for the 2012 Olympics. You are an example to all of us, including us as Members of Parliament. As South Africans, if we want to develop sport to compete with the great sporting nations of the world, we have to start investing in sport development at the primary school level. Here, the private sector must play its part really to see to it that South Africa is one of the top nations in the world concerning sport development. The South African team, up in the gallery, has great talent. We now have to create the culture of improving on our Olympic medals.
We call on all the departments and the private sector, including the Department of Sport and Recreation to do the utmost for this country; to develop our children at school level. Let me quote the following people. Michael Jordan said: "I have always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I do not do things half-heartedly, because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results." Let me say what a wonderful lady, Joyce Meyer, once said: You will sense fulfilment in life unless you reach the goal of being your self. Don't be in competition with others.
Let me just speak to the Minister for a while. Minister, you have done a lot; you've got a great plan. You really want to do a lot of things but let me just say this to you: align your budget for the future to develop the underdeveloped people, in order for them to achieve what we have just achieved. Also, even to better the 2012 Olympic team so that the legacy that you desire, I believe – the legacy that you want to leave behind – that you will be remembered as the Minister who set the tone, who set the path for people to be developed in rural areas and small towns, so that we can develop more athletes like Chad le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh and Caster Semenya from all over South Africa, because South Africa is a great and talented nation.
Let me conclude by saying what Gen Colin L Powell said: There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure. Team SA and Minister Fikile Mbalula, thank you for a job well done. I thank you. [Applause.]
Umntwana M M M ZULU
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 211
Mr J J GUNDA
IsiZulu:
Umntwana M M M ZULU: Mhlonishwa Sihlalo wale Ndlu, Ngqongqoshe woMnyango wezeMidlalo, abafowethu nodadewethu abangamaLungu ePhalamende nabadlali bezwe lakithi eNingizimu Afrika, ngibonga egameni leqembu leNkatha ukuthi uSihlalo woMkhandlu weziFundazwe nomhlonishwa uSomlomo wale Ndlu nikwazile ukuthi nihlele noNgqongqoshe ukuba kuhlanganwe kanje. Sibe sonke njengabantu baseNingizimu Afrika ngoba nezifundazwe zonke zoyishiyagalolunye, omasipala balo lonke leli lizwe lakithi bamelwe kule Ndlu kanye nabo bonke abahlezi kusiShayamthetho sikaZwelonke bakhona ukuzohalalisela nina njengeqembu lama-Olimpiki.
Kungihlaba umxhwele ukuthi niye nashaya kweleNdlovukazi uqobo, izwe elagila izimanga kulo lonke leli lizwe, kodwa-ke safika salishaya ngale kwelakwaZulu-Natali. Nishaye abanqobi, nadlubundela nathatha izwe lakithi nalibeka ebalazweni lomhlaba nakhombisa ukuthi sikhona siyiNingizimu Afrika. Mhlonishwa Ngqongqoshe ngiyakunxusa njengoNgqongqoshe walo Mnyango ukuthi bonke oNgqongqoshe beziFundazwe eNingizimu Afrika kufuneka bahlale phansi babheke ukuthi ngakithi le emakhaya lapho ubandlululo lusishaye khona kakhulu, le nto yemidlalo yama-Olimpiki kanye nazo zonke ezemidlalo ezweni lethu, bahlanganani bashaye ibhunyela lemali ukuze izingane zangakithi emakhaya kwaNongoma, eMahlabathini kanye nasoPhongolo zikwazi ukuthola leli thuba njengalabodadewethu nabafowethu abebemele izwe lakithi.
Egameni leqembu leNkatha singekulibale ukuthi sibonge sizigqaje ngokuthi izwe lakithi lenze kahle. IsiZulu lesi engisikhulumayo sithi: Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili. Nathi sesenzela ukuthi bafowethu nodadewethu esikhathini esizayo izingane zethu zikwazi ukubuza kini ukuthi nenzanjani ngesikhathi ninqoba kwelamaNgisi. Kubo bonke abathole izindondo, emidlalweni eyahlukene, ngiyanihalalisela egameni leqembu leNkatha kanye nabantu beNdlovukazi kaMsweli kwaZulu-Natali ngoba nenze kahle. Uma abantu benze kahle kuyaye kufuneke ukuba banconywe. Ngiyanincoma kule Ndlu ukuthi ukukhuluma kwenu konke ngikulalele kahle njengokhozi ukuthi akukho la nigxobana khona izithende. Nikhuluma ngento eyodwa ukuze kuphumelele izwe lethu niseke zonke izinhlobo zemidlalo ezweni lakithi. Ngiyabonga Sihlalo.[Ihlombe.]
Mr Z MLENZANA
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 211
Umntwana M M M ZULU
Mr Z MLENZANA: Chairperson, Cope congratulates the SA Olympic Team for the unity, joy and pride they brought to our country. The 125 athletes brought hope of many medals when they walked behind the flag carried by Caster Semenya.
It was with pride that we witnessed our first gold medal from the aquatics team. Cameron van der Burgh did not disappoint his country when he clinched his first gold medal in the men's 100m breaststroke. This is where our flag was raised for the first time amidst the singing of our national anthem. Chad Le Clos made our hearts throb when he came from behind to beat the world's greatest, Michael Phelps, and got his gold medal. His performance in beating Phelps was testimony that anything is possible against all odds.
The launched school sport programme gave hope to many young people who are sport avid but it is disheartening to inform this House that the programme is not taking off from the ground. Schools from Philippi to Athlone here in the Western Cape and those from Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape have not heard of the sport programme. It is the right thing to invest in sport.
The performance of Matthew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu, John Smith and James Thompson who also won gold medals in rowing, clinching the title from Denmark with confidence, was truly inspirational.
We also congratulate the only two women, Bridgitte Hartley and Caster Semenya, who won bronze and silver medals respectively to increase the tally to six medals. These two women made us feel good as a country. Bridgitte, in particular, won her bronze medal on Women's Day in South Africa, which further entrenched respect for women in the country.
This debate gives us an opportunity to acknowledge that sport has a tremendous influence in our society. Sport brings unity, hope and joy. Oscar Pistorius and Anaso Jobodwana gave that hope of a medal when they qualified in their respective track events.
In conclusion, Cope is keen to know the financial plan for 2016 that will motivate more athletes like Oscar and Anaso to turn the hope into reality. I thank you. [Applause.]
The PREMIER OF LIMPOPO (Mr C Mathale)
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 212
Mr Z MLENZANA
The PREMIER OF LIMPOPO (Mr C Mathale): Hon Chairperson, the President of the Republic in absentia, hon Jacob Zuma, his Deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, hon members, our athletes, and ladies and gentlemen, the people of Limpopo province would like to join all South Africans in congratulating our 2012 Olympics team for the historic and brave performance at the games. Today, we know far better than before that we are a true sporting nation with abundance of talent. Our athletes went to London with one objective and worked very hard to realise that objective. [Interjections.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order, hon members! You are conversing rather too loud.
The PREMIER OF LIMPOPO (Mr C Mathale): As Limpopo, we would like to send a special message of congratulation to the daughter of our province, Miss Mokgadi Caster Semenya, who continues to serve as an inspiration to many people even beyond the demarcations of our province. [Applause.] In every sporting occasion, Mokgadi continues to share with us the wealth of her talent by making us proud.
We would also like to express our deepest message of gratitude to the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Minister Fikile Mbalula, and the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Sascoc, for all the support systems that are afforded to our athletes. We honestly value the unparallel work that you devoted in ensuring that our participation in the London 2012 Olympics games leaves a positive memory in our thoughts. You have laid a solid concrete foundation upon which our preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics games can ensue.
Once more, thanks for the good work done. Thank you. [Applause.]
Mr T D LEE
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 212
The PREMIER OF LIMPOPO (Mr C Mathale)
Mr T D LEE: Chairperson, Mr Gideon Sam, the president of SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Sascoc, and our Olympians, I have a solution for the Premier of Limpopo. Sir, I know that you have a problem of getting textbooks to schools. [Interjections.] I would like to recommend that you use the relay team of South Africa to get textbooks to schools. In that way, textbooks will be delivered quicker. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
We are here today to celebrate excellence, its pursuit and achievement. Excellence is a rare thing. Too often we elevate those things not deserving of such recognition, to the level of excellence. When we do that, however, we devalue excellence of its meaning. For, if everything and everyone is excellent, then the truth is that no one is, in fact, excellent at all. So, what we identify as excellence says much about us and about the values and principles we uphold.
Professional sport is exceptional in this way. Unlike so many other areas of public life, the public service for an example, excellence is the primary impulse that motivates athletes to achieve their best. That, perhaps, is the greatest single lesson sport is able to offer to South Africa. In a country where mediocrity is too often indulged, tolerated and explained away, we can look to our athletes as the quintessential example of how best to pursue excellence. What a glorious thing that is!
Today, we are here to recognise that pursuit. Our representatives at the Summer Olympics embodied this principle and everyone of them gave their utmost. One can ask no more of a person. Not everyone of them achieved an excellent standard in that pursuit. The bar is set at gold. Excellence is a brutal business that way. But, even when the highest accepted standard was not met, many of our athletes achieved personal bests.
So, you can be sure, nothing less than their utmost effort motivated them to swim, run, kick and hit a ball. That is worthy of recognition and we recognise you for that because excellence motivates professional sport and shares a powerful relationship with accountability. Look at any sporting code and you will see that failure is not indulged in or tolerated.
Whenever potential is not capitalised, a demanding public seeks out recourse - a player must be dropped, a coach must be fired and the selectors must retire. The pursuit of the highest standard might not always result in its attainment, but anything less than everything given in its name is soon identified, if not overlooked, quickly. That is how competition ensures progress.
Imagine a society where the same standards were set for government. Imagine how empty the governing party benches to my right would be, alas!
So, let us absolutely take a moment to recognise the values that our Olympians personified, but not merely a fleeting recognition. Come, let us learn from them.
If we agree that excellence and accountability are indeed the rewarding values they are, let us ask: What more can we do as public representatives, to embody excellence? More importantly, how can we set a standard to which the South African society can aspire in other areas of life and, crucially, can realistically expect? What a lesson that would be! I thank you. [Applause.]
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY
UNREVISED HANSARD
JOINT SITTING
Tuesday, 28 August 2012 Take: 213
Mr T D LEE
The CHIEF WHIP OF THE MAJORITY PARTY: Presiding officers, hon Sisulu and hon Mahlangu, hon Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Sport and Recreation, hon members of this House, our Olympic team, learners from the St Cyprian's School, Sport Institute and MSC College, the delegation from the Palestinian Legislative Council led by His Excellency Dr Ahmad Bahar, all well-wishers and people of South Africa as a whole, let us thank the Presiding officers, hon Mahlangu and hon Sisulu, for their visionary leadership which afforded us the opportunity to welcome, honour and congratulate our Olympic team, Team SA. This team has made this Parliament and the people of South Africa, both black and white, proud. Many members of Team SA were merely children when we achieve democracy 18 years ago and, we went from being a pariah country to an exalted one.
Before 1994, South Africa had been banned for many years from major sporting events, and we were subjected to a variety of international boycotts, including sporting contacts. All of these were aimed at bringing down our racist apartheid regime and the segregation policies it espoused. South Africa was barred from the Olympics until Barcelona in 1992 following the repeal of all apartheid laws the previous year. In October 1964, it was also suspended indefinitely from the Football International Governing Body, Fifa.
South Africa's apartheid policy also led to trade sanctions and a ban on cricket and rugby tours during the 1970s and 1980s. We were a sports-mad nation with no hope of witnessing great sports achievements in our country, let alone groom the endless sports potential we had in the many sporting fields. That was then, and nothing has changed with our sports love affair. South Africans remain a sports-loving nation and sport itself has shown to be the great unifier.
Our first democratic President and foremost icon and sports fan, Nelson Mandela, firmly believed that sport is a great tool that, I quote: "Mankind can use to promote peace around the world." He said sports had the power to change the world, unify and inspire. He saw sport as a big contributor to South Africa's development and growth as a democratic nation.
Hon President Zuma reaffirmed the power of sport as a valuable tool in nation-building, and I quote: "Sport has resonated as a unifying factor for all South Africans and has become central in bringing us together." We saw this during the 2010 Fifa World Cup when black and white fans packed into stadia and fan parks together.
Sixteen years after the first all race elections ended the white minority rule; the country experienced a remarkable surge of unity, patriotism and solidarity. We all revered the moment when Nelson Mandela held the Rugby World Cup trophy aloft in his Springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the host of the event, South Africa, merely a year after achieving democracy.
Mandela may not have understood rugby very well, but he understood the political impact sports could have. That's why he seized on the opportunity to host the Rugby World Cup tournament, which was awarded to the country in 1992 and allowed South Africa to host the tournament. He then convinced the country to make the Springbok team their own, even though there was only one nonwhite player on the 15-men roster, and the very reality being that the majority of the people associated rugby with the white section of our society. He did this enlisting the help of a rugby team to his cause, persuading them to learn the new national anthem and to reach out to the sceptical black population, many of whom did not even understand the game. When we triumphed, the country - black and white people - sang and danced into the night, united for the first time in its history around one cause, one celebration.
There was no civil war and right wing terrorism. Mandela achieved his life's goal of creating what remained still today, and would have seemed almost impossible then - a stable nonracial democracy. Since then, we have re-entered the world stage of sports and can now compete with the best sportsmen and -women and show what we are made of as people. And the Olympic games is one great example of a sporting event where we test our sporting mettle.
This year, South Africa finished the 2012 London Olympic Games as Africa's best performing country, placing 24th on the medals table, with its three gold medals, courtesy of our water babies Cameron van den Burgh and Chad le Clos who also brought home a silver medal, as well as our rowing team of James Thompson, Mathew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu and John Smith. Cameron van den Burgh did not waiver and did not let the nerves slow him down, smashing the world record to capture the title in 58,46 seconds. Chad le Clos proved that he was not easily intimidated by competing against his idol and beat the legendary Michael Phelps in the American signature event, the 200m butterfly - at which he was unbeaten for over a decade - and won a gold. [Applause.] He later added silver to his collection after finishing second to Phelps in the 100m butterfly.
During one of the best races of the games, our rowing team had us all on the edges of our seats when, with 500m to go, they came in fourth place from behind and grabbed an incredible win ahead of Great Britain and Denmark.
Hon Premier Cassel Mathale, we are happy to welcome you here, to witness our silver medallist achiever for the 800m race, my beloved home girl, Caster Semenya, [Applause.] She is a talented and brilliant competitor who had the country's expectations on her young shoulders. She did not disappoint, and finished second in the world against the very best the world has to offer. It is an astonishing achievement. Another joyous moment for the country was for our bronze medal by Bridgitte Hartley, the first South African sprint canoeist ever to win a medal in the Olympics, when she was placed third in the 500m K1 sprint after a strong finish.
We also proved yet again that we are a country of fighters and leaders when Oscar Pistorius, our history-maker, the first amputee to compete in the Olympics athletics competition, showed the world that all things are possible if you're determined and do not give up. Not only did he compete in the 400m, but he also made it to the semi-finals, and we all burst with pride. Sunnet Viljoen and Burry Stander, both whom competed so strongly for the javelin and the cross country race respectively, narrowly missed out on receiving their medals. We also pay tribute to Roland Schoeman who competed in his fourth Olympics and made it to the final of the 50m freestyle for the third time in succession at age 32; he finished sixth.
We also want to congratulate the rest of the team for acquitting themselves during all the events in which they participated. The nation was united behind them and they did the country and themselves very proud, so much so that the London Olympics were South Africa's most successful games since the country was readmitted to compete in the Olympics at the 1996 Barcelona Olympics.
To Isithwalandwe hon Andrew Mlangeni, we will give you free time to go down to Qunu to report to Madiba that things are happening in his country. [Applause.]
After the euphoria that was at the London Olympic Games in 2012, we must also reassess the support we give to all our athletes. We are a young democracy, but we must also start to ensure that we become a strong one.
We have witnessed the many wins of countries, which heavily invested in their athletes and were rewarded with a huge medal haul. We recognise that transformation is a process to ensure that we redress the inequalities of the past, which ended the sport, and to develop more sporting talent in the country. Hon Minister Fikile Mbalula, the ANC will ensure that government broadens the base of sport and recreation in the country.
In conclusion, the ANC seeks to build a developmental state which provides for proactive intervention, with the resources at its disposal, to accomplish the mandate given by the people of this country. Our glorious movement, the ANC, will ensure that the playing field is levelled so that the full potential of all South Africans, both black and white, is developed through sport and recreation. [Applause.]
We believe in the maxim: Mens sana in corpore sano - a sound mind dwells in a sound body. Sport builds the mind and the body.
Hon Minister of Sport and Recreation, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, we acknowledge the unrelenting support and encouragement you gave to our team. Keep it up! The ANC will ensure that transformation in sports is accelerated and that more funds are made available to the sport development. Those on the other side, we welcome you in this House. We are making it. Thank you. [Applause.]
The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon members, thank you very much for the wonderful debate in congratulating our team. That concludes the debate and the business of the Joint Sitting. The Joint Sitting will now rise.
Debate concluded.
The Joint Sitting adjourned at 11:51.
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