I can feel it to such an extent that I feel like behaving unparliamentarily and blowing a vuvuzela, as well as asking my friend, the hon Butana Komphela, to join me at the podium, so that we can address you together. That is how we feel. We feel it together! [Applause.]
Today is not a day for politics, but rather a day for diski dancing and celebrating. We have so much to celebrate on this joyous occasion, on this joyous day. It is a beautiful day! We must celebrate the fact that this is the first Fifa World Cup to be staged on African soil. What we should be even more proud of is the fact that it is happening here in our beautiful country, South Africa, and what a beautiful country we have! [Applause.]
We should be proud of the legacy that this event is going to leave behind. The roads, the stadia, the fan parks and the public viewing areas bear testimony, not only to our dedication and our will to succeed, but also to the vast pool of technical skills this country has.
Messrs Jrme Valcke - I don't know if he is here - Jordaan and Khoza, I want to direct a special request to you: To make sure that the massive Bafana Bafana World Cup jersey remains in South Africa as part of this legacy.
Vir ? maand kry ons die uitsonderlike geleentheid om ons land in al sy glorie aan miljoene kykers regoor die wreld ten toon te stel. Kom ons gebruik die geleentheid om ? positiewe beeld van ons land uit te straal. Laat ons vir die wreld wys dat daar geen beter land as Suid-Afrika is nie, en dat dit winsgewend is om in Suid-Afrika te bel. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[For a month we will have the exceptional opportunity to showcase our country in all its glory to millions of viewers across the world. Let us use this opportunity to reflect a positive image of our country. Let us show the world that there is no better country than South Africa, and that it is profitable to invest in South Africa.]
We should be ever grateful to the team who made all of this possible. Here, I want to thank the Deputy President - the Acting President - and his team, the Ministers. Thank you very much for what you have done for us. It is a job well done. [Applause.] I also want to say to Dr Irvin Khoza and Dr Danny Jordaan the same thing: it is a job well done, a big team effort. [Applause.]
My sincere appreciation goes to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, Mr Butana Komphela, because he knows what inclusiveness means. We walked this road together. It was a nonpartisan project. Thank you, Butana, for the leadership you have shown. [Applause.]
To Mr Carlos Parreira and the coaching staff: your dedication and hard work is much appreciated. To Aaron Mokoena and the team: congratulations to all of you on being in the final 23. I know that you will make us all proud and we are all behind you.
Aaron, I have penned a battle cry for Bafana Bafana, which I hope will inspire you. Here, I must thank my co-author. His name is James Selfe. He said that he would sue me if I didn't mention his name! Here is Bafana Bafana's battle cry:
B stands for brave - to battle we call! A stands for agile when chasing the ball. F stands for fast - fleet-footed they go. A stands for aggressive, but nonsense no! N stands for nation's pride with heads held high. A stands for ambitious - till the end we will try!
[Applause.]
Say it once, you say Bafana. Say it twice, you say Bafana Bafana!
[Applause.]