Pretoria - The inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day was a resounding success, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday.
Mandela Sport and Culture Day was held at FNB Stadium in Soweto last week Saturday, with the historic double-header match played by both Bafana Bafana and the Springboks.
“Today, we stand before you to proclaim that the inaugural Mandela Sport and Culture Day was a resounding success and momentous occasion, which will remain engraved in our hearts and minds for many years to come and for many generations to emulate,” Mbalula said at a media briefing in Cape Town.
The sporting day, which ended with a music extravaganza, started with the SA Masters match, who lost 2-0 to the Italian Masters. Bafana Bafana defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 before the Springboks beat Argentina 73-11.
“Our Cabinet and the Peoples’ Parliament endorsed the invocation and promotion of Madiba’s legacy of peace, human rights, reconciliation, nation building, social cohesion and human progress.
“South Africans from all walks of life reignited, reaffirmed and justified Madiba’s dream of unity and peace in our motherland.
“We want to express our deepest and heartfelt gratitude to all peace-loving and [patriotic] South Africans who heeded our call to celebrate and advance the legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in the past weekend,” he said.
Mbalula said South Africa was “a winner for delivering an incident free event watched and witnessed by many in the continent and the world over with great interest and zeal”.
“Like true sports men and women … we say congratulations to the Italian Masters! Congratulations to Bafana Bafana! Bravo to the Mighty Amabhokobhoko … the two-time International Rugby Board (IRB) World Cup Champions, for their never say die spirit and always living up to the occasion. We also say well done to all the artists who performed at this memorable occasion.
“This last weekend, we expressed in unison our profound appreciation and wish for the speedy recovery of our national hero and international icon. Long Live Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.”
The proceeds from the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day will go towards building the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital in Gauteng. - SAnews.gov.za
