Hon Chair, hon Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, all protocol observed. Let me echo the words of the Fifa leadership when they said that the man who brought the World Cup to Africa, and particularly to South Africa, was Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
We would like to thank you, Tata, in your absence. One of your dreams has become a reality. Stafford Heginbotham once said, "Football is the opera of the people." The great Pel said: "It is encouraging to hear that men of great ability themselves think that we have talent in our ranks." Former President Thabo Mbeki said: "The Soccer World Cup in Africa reaffirms our common humanity and proves we all belong to one family." Lastly, former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela himself said: "The World Cup will help unify people. If there is one thing on this planet that has the power to bind people together, it is soccer."
Hon Chairperson and hon members, I would like to thank all South Africans, especially those who made it possible to have such a great event in this country and possible for people to see the beauty of this country, to see the real ubuntu of Africans, to see the people of South Africa, and see that this country is part of the world and is not an island, that this country can offer the world what no other country can offer. We can offer everything in this country. We have everything in this country.
We wish Bafana Bafana well and we will support them every step of the way. We feel it; it is here. And we will move Bafana Bafana with our support. Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva! I thank you. [Applause.]