Durban - President Jacob Zuma has praised the heritage that the 2010 FIFA World Cup left behind.
"We are proud to have this success as part of our heritage... There can be no better day than Heritage Day to formally celebrate this unique achievement of South African people," Zuma said on Friday at the national Heritage Day celebrations at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Referring to the all the games played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Zuma said: "We are celebrating Heritage Day in a stadium that is very much a part of World Cup Heritage."
Zuma said the stadium, named after the former Secretary-General of the SACP, was a living monument to "this outstanding hero" and "will be treated as a place of pilgrimage." In addition to being Secretary-General of the SACP, Mabhida was a member of the National Executive of the African National Congress and a Vice President of the South African Congress of Trade Unions.
While acknowledging the economic and infrastructure achievements around the World Cup, the President said today was a day for South Africans to celebrate their contribution to the promotion of the country to "the world as a bastion of peace, stability, progress and unity."
Zuma added: "The wearing of Bafana Bafana jerseys and the display of the rainbow flags everywhere in our country by patriotic South Africans will forever be part of our heritage. Let us continue showing our pride in these national colours at all times as they unite us and strengthen solidarity amongst the South African people".
South Africans' support for other African nations received recognition. "The World Cup also played a key role in promoting African unity. The support provided to Ghana and all African teams indicated that South Africans realize that the country is an integral part of the continent," said Zuma.
The 2010 Local Organising Committee, Bafana Bafana, coaches and the technical team were all praised for their contribution to the World Cup.
"We need to thank our football players too, for not just playing football, but for being the face of the tournament," said Zuma.
The unity experienced in South Africa was a highlight of the tournament showing that the country has great potential for further nation building.
"The fact that so many South Africans white South Africans young and old filled the stadiums to celebrate the soccer tournament, while black people flocked to Orlando Stadium before the World Cup to celebrate rugby shows that we have not begun to harness the potential for creating a common national identity".
Zuma said: "Therefore, our national days such as Freedom Day, Heritage Day, Youth Day, and Women's Day should become more focused celebrations of the ushering in of freedom and democracy in our country, and the promoting of building a common future".
