Mr Speaker, Acting President and colleagues, with the Fifa World Cup just seven days away, it is good to see signs of a united South Africa with one goal in mind, which is for the World Cup to be a success.
It is wonderful to see the colour, song and dance of all the South African people. The World Cup buzz has certainly affected or, should I say, infected me, my family and the community. It is fantastic to be able to share the excitement with all South Africans, regardless of race or class.
I find it particularly satisfying to see the negative attitudes towards South Africa's ability to host the games crumble one by one. We are certainly not failing. Our achievements are amazing. South Africa now has nine new stadia, which are of a world-class standard. Does that not make you proud? I am sure it does.
The construction of the stadia has created many new jobs and has developed many new skills in the South African labour force. This is good for the future of our country.
It is the IFP's hope that effective maintenance of and upgrading mechanisms for all these new developments have been or will be instituted in order to ensure that these facilities stay in tiptop condition to be enjoyed by our children, our children's children and all following generations. If properly taken care of, this could be a tangible inheritance that we will leave for them to enjoy.
The Durban stadium, with its viewing arch and the facility for bungee jumping, is an indication of futuristic thinking on how a stadium can be utilised to its fullest capacity. The roadworks around the stadiums and cities have improved transport infrastructure drastically. Other facilities constructed for people coming to the World Cup will certainly improve the quality of life of South Africans once the World Cup has ended.
This will also be an opportunity to sell South Africa to the world. For the duration of the World Cup and hopefully beyond, all South Africans have to become South African ambassadors by being helpful and treating people with kindness and respect, which will hopefully encourage them to make South Africa their next tourist destination. This will eventually be a major boost for tourism, which will help strengthen our economy.
I can only hope, however, that the South African hotel industry and ...