THURSDAY, 3 JUNE 2010 __

                    PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING
                                ____

Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 14:04.

The Speaker of the National Assembly took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

                    DEBATE ON 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP

The SPEAKER: Order, hon members! Order! Hon members, there should be no vuvuzelas in the House, please.

Hon members, members of the public and our esteemed guests, as we know, the first Fifa Soccer World Cup tournament on African soil kicks off in seven days. The elected representatives of the people thought it proper that they should express themselves on this important event on the sporting calendar and in the country’s history, in the form of a debate.

At this point, I would like to acknowledge the Deputy President, and current Acting President of the Republic, for his work as chairperson of the interministerial committee on the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup. [Applause.] The hon Deputy President is himself a renowned footballer, having played football even in prison.

Hon members, we will be joined shortly by the representatives of Fifa and the SA Football Association, Safa, and we will announce them once they have arrived. I now invite the hon B M Komphela to address the House. [Applause.]

Mr B M KOMPHELA: Speaker, Deputy President, Ministers, and our people in the gallery, to us as the ANC, and as the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, this is an exciting chapter that we are closing today. It has been a long walk by Madiba to be where we are, at times against difficult odds — at times we would wonder what kind of country we are that nobody was willing to give us a fair chance!

It has taken a painful and concerted effort by the people of this country, led by Nelson Mandela, for the world and the nations of the world to finally give us a fair chance. Today we are celebrating the fruits of a democratic country. Today we are celebrating this important event, the 2010 Fifa World Cup, because we have been given a fair chance. That is the only thing that we needed: a fair chance. [Applause.] History tells us that on 15 May 2004 at 12:21, the exact same time in South Africa and Switzerland, the president of Fifa walked into a packed auditorium, opened the envelope, and in that envelope was fair play: South Africa had been given the honour of hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup. [Applause.]

At the press conference at the World Trade Centre in Zürich, in that auditorium, the vuvuzela was blown and our own “national anthem”, Shosholoza, was the order of the day to demonstrate that when we as South Africans are happy, we sing. When we as South Africans are in pain, we sing. That is how we express ourselves as a country and as a people.

Having been given this chance to say something, I would like to convey the following message, Deputy President. Nelson Mandela stated: “South Africans should treat this decision with humility and without arrogance because we are, after all, equal.” [Applause.] The message that we as a Parliament are conveying today to Tat’ Nelson Mandela is that we are demonstrating the greatest humility ever in accepting the message that he has given to us. With the greatest humility, we are saying to the nations of the world that because they have given us a chance, we will accept them. They will never, ever in their lifetimes forget South Africa. [Applause.]

A dream of the nation has come true. Stadiums are ready; airports are ready; roads are ready; accommodation is ready; above all … … Nyambose, baza kulala ngoxolo bevule iminyango. [Nyambose, they will sleep peacefully with their doors open.] Security is ready in this country. [Applause.]

It is so wonderful today to be an African. It is so nice today to be an African, because we pride ourselves on working diligently on the little job that we have been given as a country, and we have surprised people many times because as a people, as a nation, we always come together when there is a problem that is confronting us as a nation, as South Africans.

I would like to say that at the time, four years ago, when South Africa was given the honour of hosting the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup – and I want to say this today as we close this chapter — there was never a dissenting view from the opposition in regard to its being right that the tournament was given to South Africa because it was judged and adjudicated on a fair basis. Therefore, we in South Africa, all of us, must come together and make sure that this Soccer World Cup is a success. [Applause.]

Regarding the members of the portfolio committee, I don’t want to mention the mighty ANC, so I will talk about the very important humble people of the opposition.

Mr M J ELLIS: Donald Lee.

Mr B M KOMPHELA: Donald Lee, yes. You are right, my friend. Donald would say that whatever side of the political divide we are on, this is a matter that concerns the nation, and therefore we cannot differ but should support each other in making the Soccer World Cup a success. [Applause.] Deputy President, it is true: you can go and check the records of our parliamentary proceedings. Donald Lee broke the cycle and said that even if other people were running us down by saying that we would never succeed in hosting this World Cup, we were confident as a country that we would, and we were going to have the best World Cup ever in our lifetime. [Applause.] We have given this undertaking, and we have lived up to that undertaking.

In the IFP …

… Shenge, kukhona umfana okuthiwa laphaya nguDlamini omncane. [… Shenge, there is a boy called Dlamini junior.]

He has been representing the IFP and has been saying that the mandate he got from his party was that we should celebrate the 2010 Fifa World Cup. We will be at the forefront of leading the celebration. Today we are at that point of celebrating. [Applause.]

Deputy President, we have a deal with the FF Plus, and Minister Naledi Pandor, that today I am going to tell South Africans a story I know. It demonstrates that all of us as a country are behind the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup success. When the director in the Office of the President, Frank Chikane, was in Cape Town, there was nobody to hand over a letter, a deciding letter for the delegation from South Africa and to go to Zürich. That letter from government was needed, and there was nobody in Cape Town to hand it over. The only person who was there was a certain hon member called Pieter Mulder. This Pieter Mulder took the letter to O R Tambo Airport and said that it was a letter that he had been requested to give to the delegation so that when they arrived in Zürich with Madiba, the country would be making a submission saying that as a country we were supportive of this, and that we should please be given a chance and the honour of hosting the 2010 World Cup. [Applause.]

Pieter, baie dankie. Jy kon onbeskof geraak het en nie die brief geneem het nie, maar ons sê baie dankie dat jy deelgeneem het sodat ons ʼn beter sokkerwêreldbekertoernooi in 2010 kan hê en in staat sal wees om fees te vier. [Gelag.] [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)

[Pieter, thank you very much. You could have been rude and not have taken the letter, but we thank you for participating so that we can have a better 2010 Soccer World Cup Tournament and will be able to celebrate. [Laughter.] [Applause.]]

The SPEAKER: Hon member, on that happy note, your time has expired. [Laughter.]

Mr B M KOMPHELA: Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]

Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Speaker, I have to say, sir, that earlier today I promised you that there would be no points of order, so this isn’t a point of order. But one cannot stand here and not notice that there is a very, very important person in the gallery. I suspect, sir, that you would want to welcome that person.

The SPEAKER: I will, sir, when you sit down. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

Mr M J ELLIS: Thank you.

The SPEAKER: Order! Hon members, I wish, on your behalf, to recognise and welcome to the gallery our football mascot, Zakumi. Kindly give a warm welcome to our mascot. [Applause.] A warm welcome to you.

Mr T D LEE: Mr Speaker, Mr Deputy President, Ministers, colleagues and friends in the gallery, I can feel it! It is here!

HON MEMBERS: Yes. [Applause.]

Mr T D LEE: 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 Jérôme 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 ʼn maand kry ons die uitsonderlike geleentheid om ons land in al sy glorie aan miljoene kykers regoor die wêreld ten toon te stel. Kom ons gebruik die geleentheid om ʼn positiewe beeld van ons land uit te straal. Laat ons vir die wêreld wys dat daar geen beter land as Suid—Afrika is nie, en dat dit winsgewend is om in Suid—Afrika te belê. (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.]

The SPEAKER: Order, hon member! You left before your time had expired. Thank you very much.

Mr G P D MAC KENZIE: Speaker, Deputy President, hon Ministers, Members of Parliament, and guests in the gallery, we have eight days to go. It is here! Feel it! South African flags are flying high. Motorists have attached flags to their car windows and are draping South African flags on the backs of their rear-view mirrors. Those who have tickets in their hands can’t wait for next Friday to come.

The South African squad has been picked and Bafana Bafana has started to impress. There is an air of excited expectancy everywhere. To Aaron, Tsepo, Surprise, Steven, Teku and the other Bafana Bafana players: Please keep the cup here. Do not let it go back. [Applause.]

Already, even before the whistle has blown, South Africa is looking like a changed country. Some of the unintended positive consequences of the Fifa World Cup are that two great rugby matches were played at Orlando Stadium, which brought white and black together on a scale never before witnessed in South Africa. Our people, regardless of colour, partied late into the night in Soweto, and those two days did for race relations what we as politicians can only envy. International TV crews have exposed some unpleasant sights in our country, but all that will refocus our energies in order to put those things right as well.

Likewise, our cities are the cleanest they have ever been. Our transport system is in the best shape it has ever been. Our airports are world-class. Anyone who left South Africa five years ago and was returning might say: What miracle was wrought here? Indeed, we have never had stadia like the ones we have today, and we have never had such excitement either.

South Africa looks like a country destined to be transformed, not by politics, but by sport. Firstly, there was the Rugby World Cup with the iconic Nelson Mandela donning the No 6 Springbok jersey and peaked cap. What a moment it was when President Mandela presented the Rugby World Cup to Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar in 1995. The President said he had never been so tense in his whole life as when he was waiting for a favourable outcome in the clash with New Zealand. Hon Ministers Stofile and Gordhan, maybe we can still twist your arms to increase the sport budget. South Africa also hosted the Cricket World Cup.

Now, however, comes the biggest spectacle and biggest opportunity to achieve a common national identity. As South Africans we are destined to achieve great things together and that togetherness must be forged in the burning excitement that is the World Cup. Never mind the costs we will have to carry; we as South Africans can use sport to achieve what other nations have done through war.

South Africa has enormous passion for rugby and cricket. But when it comes to soccer, not all the vuvuzelas in South Africa can capture how enormous that passion is. Like cricket is religion in India, soccer is religion in South Africa. What we are about to witness is going to live with us for the rest of our lives.

Hordes of people from all around the world will be invading our cities and shores. Many different languages will be spoken and the world will see a country that is unlike any other in the world. This is the opportunity for us to flaunt our scenic beauty, our vibrant culture, our natural friendliness and our attractions as a tourist destination.

The story of the World Cup for South Africa is one of promises, betrayal, hardship, struggles and triumph. Many people never thought it was going to happen and never believed that we had the capacity to deliver on time. So far, we have done everything by the book, and if we attend to all the minor details remaining, we will, in a month from now, have exceeded everyone’s expectations. To the doomsayers I say: Don’t fret. Relax and enjoy the soccer. To The Sun newspaper in Britain, I say: Don’t print rubbish about snakes being the biggest problem for the English football side.

To Fifa, I wish to say a big thank you for letting South Africa host the World Cup. It will be the best and greatest ever.

What is unique about the Fifa World Cup is that this is something for the whole continent of Africa to enjoy. It is a giant awakening. This World Cup will change the stereotypes about us in South Africa, as well as the continent. It will energise sports in Africa like never before.

Beyond the unbelievable excitement that is now reaching a crescendo, there will be legitimate questions about the maintenance of our stadia. The point is that government and sports administrators will have to maintain the present intensity to ensure that the legacy going forward remains strong, intact and enduring.

To you, chairperson Khompela, and my fellow committee members, I wish to say with pride that we evinced unity and worked with purpose to ensure that the finest details were attended to during our oversight work together.

The excitement must be built on and must never be allowed to flounder.

Phambili, Mzansi Afrika! Phambili! [Forward, Mzansi Africa! Forward!]

HON MEMBERS: Phambili! [Ihlombe.] [Forward! [Applause.]]

Mr G P D MAC KENZIE: Phambili, Bafana Bafana! Phambili! Laduma! [Ihlombe.] [Forward, Bafana Bafana! Forward! Goal! [Applause.]]

Mr E J LUCAS: 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 …

The SPEAKER: Hon members, there’s too much noise in the House. Please allow the speaker to be heard. Continue, hon member.

Mr E J LUCAS: I can only hope, however, that the South African hotel industry and the transport service providers have learnt the negative lessons that come from overpricing their services, thereby losing customers and raising perceptions of exploitation. It is, unfortunately, a very expensive lesson that the whole country has to pay for. But let us hope it will never happen again.

The stage has been set for a wonderful World Cup and we know that Bafana Bafana will do us proud. Even though our chances of winning don’t seem very high on paper, we South Africans know what it means to struggle and come out victorious. Their underdog status might also make other teams underestimate their abilities. We, sitting on the sidelines, have to play our part by cheering and supporting them to victory.

But the fact of the matter is that whether Bafana Bafana wins or loses on the soccer field, South Africa has won the World Cup. We won it when we won the bid. We won it again when we met deadlines set along the way in order for the World Cup to be a success. We win it every day as excitement to kickoff draws nearer. Mostly, we win it by making sure all guests feel at home with us during the World Cup. Yes, South Africa has won the World Cup, but we will be depending on Bafana Bafana to keep the trophy in South Africa!

This is an African World Cup, and as Africans we have a different rhythm, a different climate and a unique way of doing things. Let us embrace our uniqueness and make this a proudly African World Cup. I thank you. [Applause.]

Ms D Z RANTHO: Hon Deputy President, hon Speaker and Deputy Speaker, hon Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, hon members, representatives of Fifa and the SA Football Association, Safa, ladies and gentlemen, today all of us, by our presence here and by our celebrations in all parts of our country and the communities in which we live, confer glory on this and show our happiness by our nation’s readiness to welcome the people of the world to the shores of our beautiful land.

Former President Nelson Mandela, the icon of our nation, once said that out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted in our country for far too long, our nation takes each day to rise on the shoulders of the world.

Indeed, I feel honoured to join the people of South Africa and the rest of the African continent in saying

“Ke Nako ya Aforika!” [“It is time for Africa!”] Lixesha loMzantsi Afrika. [It is time for Africa.] Feel it! It is here! We are ready to welcome the world. [Applause.]

We, the people of South Africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom and that we, who were reeling from our divided past, have today been given the rare privilege to be the host of the nations of the world on our own soil.

We as a Parliament are honoured to have among us the outstanding compatriots of our nation, who spent sleepless nights preparing for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup, and those who continue to work tirelessly to make sure that it continues to be a success.

I would like to take this opportunity to express the ANC’s profound appreciation to the entire leadership of Fifa, particularly its president, Mr Sepp Blatter, a distinguished ambassador of the people of Africa, whose life is intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country, as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the Bushveld.

Allow me also to pay special tribute to Fifa secretary-general Mr Jérôme Falcke, who has spent most of the past two years in our country. I must say that in the past few weeks I wondered whether I should not concede equal citizenship to this outstanding compatriot, who has grown to be a true South African. [Applause.]

Mr Falcke and Mr Blatter stood firm in defending our nation against those who stopped at nothing to question our capability of hosting the World Cup. They went to all corners of our country, ensuring that we defeated the prophets of doom, who never retreated in their quest to speak ill of our people and our country.

Let me also extend my profound appreciation to Dr Irvin Khoza, who is the chairperson of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Local Organising Committee, the Safa executives, and the entire soccer fraternity.

Allow me also to thank all the men and women — the workers, the volunteers and the contractors — for their tireless and heroic sacrifices in ensuring that this World Cup will truly be a success. [Applause.]

Indeed, our people have a great sense of humanity, and pride in the hard efforts and sterling work they have rendered to our nation. I say to them: Your sacrifices and commitment to our nation are truly deserving of the highest national tribute for your contribution to South African life and the history we envisaged when we fought against racial subjugation.

Since the demise of apartheid in 1994 we have committed ourselves as a nation to ensuring that our daily deeds produce an actual South African reality that will reinforce our commitment to sustaining all our hopes for a better South Africa and a glorious life for all our people.

We are humbled that our nation has yet another opportunity to stand tall on the shoulders of giant nations and display our capability to deliver a top- class tournament, and also to show our spirit of ubuntu and humanity.

As the ANC, we remain convinced that our people have shown the world that we are indeed a nation filled with pride, hope, aspiration and determination. We have men and women with endless heroism who are committed to advancing our nation to fulfilling the tallest orders of the world. I am sure that all of us say with the utmost pride that South Africa is alive with possibilities.

With just eight days to go to the kickoff of the world’s biggest soccer event to be held on African soil, there is no question that our nation is ready to host a spectacular and memorable soccer extravaganza.

With the teams steadily streaming into the country, the roads and the infrastructure systems look set to transport the millions of fans who will be travelling countrywide to watch the games. Each time one walks through the streets of our communities, one is moved by the sense of joy and exhilaration displayed by those communities.

The spiritual and physical oneness shown by our people indicates the depth of the path we have travelled in order to build a nonracial and united South Africa. Many of us have seen how the World Cup has united our people and encouraged all South Africans to rally behind our national team, Bafana Bafana, and the symbols that define us as a nation.

We have witnessed our national flag displayed on the walls of shopping malls, on bridges, on buildings, on cars and in houses. We have seen some of the host cities glittering with images of our national flag and icons of our national team. Indeed, this is a clear indication that our nation has triumphed in its effort to implant hope and a common identity in the hearts and minds of our people.

We as the ANC remain committed to our covenant that we will continue to build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity, and to a rainbow nation at peace with itself and proud of its identity and diversity.

We are also aware that South Africa is the first country in the history of the 2010 Fifa World Cup to offer an event visa. This is a true African innovation, which has been hailed by Fifa and will surely be emulated by other countries from now onwards.

The SA Police Service is spending over R640 million on the deployment of 41 000 officers specifically for the event. The vast majority of the police deployed for the World Cup will be trained officers with experience in major events. This is not only intended to ensure the safety of our guests, but to send a clear message to criminals and those who want to follow their misguided agendas that we will not tolerate any transgression that will undermine this important event. Let us show them our warm spirit of ubuntu and unequivocally say that we take the safety of our guests and their sense of security very seriously.

On behalf of the ANC and the people of South Africa, we say to the people of the world and our guests: Welcome, and we hope you will enjoy the beauty of the hills and the valleys, the mountains and the glades, the rivers, the deserts, the trees, the flowers, the seas and the ever-changing seasons that you find on the face of our native land. [Applause.] We are humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you have bestowed on us. We wish you a wonderful and joyous stay in our country. I thank you. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Order! Thank you, hon member. I wish to welcome back our mascot up there. Welcome back, Mascot Zakumi.

Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Speaker, there were those who said that our country, let alone Africa, should never have been awarded the 19th Fifa World Cup. “The stadiums will never be built on time,” they predicted. “Fifa has Australia waiting in the wings as Plan B,” they whispered. Some even said we would be engulfed in a machete civil war after the murder of Eugene Terre’Blanche — just to sell a few more newspapers. We have proved those hollow doomsayers wrong, and we have shown that we have left our past far behind. [Applause.]

Sir, 49 million South Africans have proved to the world that the most a pessimist can ever achieve is the empty consolation of being right. Yes, 49 million South Africans stand before the world today and say with one voice: “Ke nako!” [“Now is the time!”] We are ready! [Applause.]

But more than that, we are ready to deliver a uniquely African World Cup. As Africans, we celebrate our common heritage in the calabash setting, nestling in its ring of fire at Soccer City, the Moses Mabhida arch at eThekwini, and the giraffe supports at Mbombela stadium.

We ask the football gods to echo the words of Isaiah and bestow upon us wings to soar like eagles, and midfielders who will run and not grow weary. Let us hope our strikers will be swifter than cheetahs on greased lightning, and that the Mexican, Uruguayan and French defenders will be slower than turtles swimming through peanut butter. [Applause.] Now wouldn’t that be ayoba [nice]? We wish for referees with eyes sharper than the African fish eagle in our opponents’ penalty area and that they will be especially vigilant on 22 June in Bloemfontein, where we hope Thierry Henry will keep his hands strictly to himself. [Laughter.] |Phambili, Bafana Bafana! Phambili, Aaron Mokoena! Phambili! [Forward, Bafana Bafana! Forward, Aaron Mokoena! Forward!]

HON MEMBERS: Phambili! [Forward!]

Mr G R KRUMBOCK: Shoot straight, Katlego Mphela! Show them, Stevie P! Masiziqenye [Let us be proud], Bafana Bafana! [Laughter.]

But late on July the 11th the sound of the last vuvuzela will fade into a chilly Highveld night and the World Cup will be over. Each one of us must ensure that the gift of the World Cup carries on giving for the next 30 years.

For if truth be told, we did not successfully bid for this World Cup to turn a profit on the tournament.  No host nation ever does. We are hosting this tournament because it offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebrand our country as a safe, friendly, value-for-money destination. If we get that right, then the expertise of our engineers, the vision of our architects, and the labour of the tireless workers who built our iconic stadiums will live on in the legacy of 2010.

Hosting a zero-defect 2010 World Cup, as perfect as a Teko Modise pinpoint pass, could increase our tourist numbers by as much as 10% per year. That is equivalent to 125 000 extra jobs, an extra R20 billion of GDP every year, and around R6 billion more in tax revenue annually. That’s enough to pay off the stadiums within three years and the national fiscus’s contribution to the tournament of R33 billion within six years. That’s the legacy we need to protect.

So, let’s make sure we give all our football fans Africa’s warmest welcome and do not overcharge them. Let’s keep our country spotlessly clean and our tourists safe. Let’s make sure that for the next 40 days the only strikers around are those surging towards our opponents’ goals. Thirty-four billion people will be watching. [Laughter.]

The year 2010 has accelerated our growth towards one nation with one future. We must be doing something right if Blue Bulls fans from Pretoria now blow the vuvuzela with their nearest fellow supporters in Soweto. And that legacy, as the credit card commercial suggests, is “priceless”. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika. [God bless Africa.] Thank you. [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: I thank the hon member. Before I invite the next speaker to the podium, I would like to remind hon members to resist the great temptation to blow the vuvuzela in the House. [Laughter.]

Mr J J MCGLUWA: Speaker, we are seven days from the World Cup and usually the number 7 is equated with the notion of good luck. As a young boy, I played the game. I also coached the game. This game is about scoring goals.

After watching Bafana Bafana’s preparation for the World Cup we can see that our boys have really improved. Unlike other coaches who rely on international superstars, Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has kept his word by announcing a squad that consists mainly of locals. [Applause.] Local is lekker, and our boys have the spirit to win.

June 11 will certainly be a significant day in our country’s history, when all of us will stand united in a free South Africa. Our critics and the Afro-pessimists will be dumbstruck, while Mexico will be forced to confront a powerful African-Mexican wave.

The World Cup is on African soil, and we have six teams from the continent competing, which makes me proud to say: “I am an African.” All of us must get behind what our hon Deputy President has christened the African continent’s “six-pack”. The ID calls on all South Africans to support all African countries to the bitter end, which we hope will actually be sweet!

We are not going to listen to anyone who tells us that an African team will not put their arms around the World Cup, because we know that the ball is round and that here in Africa Madiba magic reigns supreme. [Applause.] Those critics have also not recognised the trump card of South Africa’s 12th player, better known as the vuvuzela. Speaker …

… ndiyayiva entliziyweni, ndiyayiva esandleni, ndiyayiva ezinyaweni, ndiyayiva entloko, ndiyayiva jikelele. [Kwaqhwatywa.] [… I can feel it in my heart, I can feel it in my hand, I can feel it in my feet, I can feel it in my head, I can feel it all over. [Applause.]]

Speaker, I have managed to sneak in a very small vuvuzela. Viva Bafana Bafana! [Applause.]

The SPEAKER: Order! Order, hon member! [Applause.] [Laughter.] Order! Order! Order, hon members! Hon members, I am advised that our guests have just arrived. I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the presence in the gallery of the vice president of Fifa, Mr Issa Hayatou … [Applause.] … the chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Irvin Khoza … [Applause.] … the CEO of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Danny Jordaan … [Applause.] … and the president of the SA Football Association, Mr Kirsten Nematandani … [Applause.] … as well as all other representatives of both Safa and Fifa. [Applause.] Could you all please stand up so that we can acknowledge you all? [Applause.] Thank you very much. To our distinguished guests: welcome to Parliament and please know that we are honoured to have you here.

Mr B H HOLOMISA: Mr Speaker, the Acting President, the Chairperson of the NCOP and hon members, the UDM wishes Bafana Bafana the best of luck. We will be supporting them all the way.

Allow me to salute former President Mandela and the leadership of football in South Africa during the 1990s. They had the vision and gumption to mount a serious bid which eventually succeeded in convincing the world. We also, once more, thank the Local Organising Committee for turning the idea into reality once we had won the bid.

We are on the eve of an historic event for our country. The value of such an event cannot be measured in rands and cents alone. If we are committed and fortunate, the Fifa World Cup will deliver to us a month of goodwill amongst South Africans, as well as between us and the rest of the world — a month of goodwill that could add immensely to nation-building and to our standing among the peoples of the world.

We are a country of intense emotions at certain times. However, for the next month we are in a position to show first-hand to hundreds of thousands of visitors how friendly and easy-going we are most of the time, not to speak of the opportunity to showcase our beautiful country to tens of millions of potential tourists via television broadcasts.

Finally, in terms of infrastructure development, the World Cup has had an impact on the socioeconomic landscape of the country. As a result, we were cushioned from the effects of the recession when it occurred. It is our hope that these developments will be cascaded beyond the host stadiums and cities. How I wish that the SA National Roads Agency, which has done a sterling job on certain highways, could be empowered to expand its efforts to all provincial roads.

Mr Speaker, if I may advise Bafana Bafana, in a spirit of noninterference, I would like to offer this reminder to the national coach: It is goals that win matches. The recent trend of goal-scoring by Bafana Bafana is a welcome development. May they continue to strike the back of the net regularly for another five weeks. Thank you. [Applause.]

Dr C P MULDER: Hon Speaker, hon Chairperson of the NCOP, hon Acting President, Members of Parliament, and officials of Fifa and the SA Football Association, Safa, it is an honour and a privilege for me to participate in this debate on the eve of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which starts in a couple of days.

I think we all remember how, not very long ago, many, many people in South Africa were very sceptical about our ability to do exactly what we are doing now. In a month’s time names like Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Bongani Khumalo and others will be household names and will be remembered forever.

I think it is important to know that if we can succeed, united as we are today in this endeavour that we are now undertaking, then there is no reason why we cannot also succeed with social cohesion and all our other challenges in South Africa. We can do it, just like we are doing it today. [Applause.]

I want to send a message from the FF Plus to our team, Bafana Bafana: Victory always starts in the head. It is a state of mind. It then spreads with such radiance and such affirmation that destiny can do nothing but obey.

I also want to say the following to Bafana Bafana: To handle yourselves, use your heads; to handle your opponents, use your hearts. And to our opponents: You must remember that we South Africans don’t take any prisoners. [Laughter.]

My final word of advice to Bafana Bafana is to accept the well-known slogan of Vincent Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers — that is exactly what we expect of Bafana Bafana: Remember, winning is not everything; it is the only thing. [Applause.] It is the only thing.

We expect Bafana Bafana to win and to make us proud. Go, Bafana Bafana, go! [Applause.]

Mrs L S CHIKUNGA: Speaker, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, vice president of Fifa, hon members, members of the Local Organising Committee, our guests, ladies and gentlemen, fellow South Africans, and Bafana Bafana, siyawina! [we are going to win!]

I cannot express the honour that I feel has been bestowed on me by my being amongst the participants in this very important and historic debate on South Africa’s readiness for the all-important 2010 Fifa World Cup. We address you to confirm that, as I speak, our country is giving of its best in welcoming teams from across the world, who will be our guests here for the next month and a half. As I speak, our security agencies, our roads and transport agencies, our stadiums and, indeed, our people are ready.

Let me assure you that our National Joint Operational Centre, under the leadership of the SA Police Service and with the most sophisticated technology, has become operational and is working 24 hours a day to ensure that the football teams, the delegations from participating nations, the officials, the Fifa leadership, heads of state and VIPs are safe. [Applause.] All security operations related to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including the close protection of the 32 teams, the Fifa family, various visiting heads of state and dignitaries; policing at ports of entry; route security; inner city security; stadium security; air and maritime defence; and general crime prevention duties, will be commanded from the National Joint Operational Centre, Natjoc.

In addition, the Natjoc will liaise closely and continuously with Fifa and the organising committee, as well as with other police centres which are linked to operations. Playing countries and neighbouring countries have sent their representatives to work with our 44 000 police officials. Non- South African police will perform nonexecutive tasks — that is, they have no powers to arrest.

Risk assessment has been completed and has determined that in this World Cup we will adequately and actively be policing nine international airports, three sea ports and 59 land ports, of which seven have been prioritised. Our provincial Joint Operational Centres are up and running. We also have plans for policing certain high and medium-risk matches.

The German team’s accommodation issue has been finalised. The hotel has been granted a temporary certificate of occupancy. Our Home Affairs department has already set up an advanced passenger processing system to make it easier to screen passengers before they depart from their own countries for South Africa. We have also set up dedicated express lanes at selected international airports and co-located border posts with neighbouring countries. Our 24-hour operational centre in Pretoria will provide statistical information for operational purposes.

Our Home Affairs department is also working with the SA Revenue Service, Sars, to implement an enhanced movement control system to facilitate the secure movement of people in and out of the country at 33 priority ports of entry. We have set up procedures to deal with foreign nationals that we will adhere to strictly. We have prepared our people and our team to deliver the best World Cup ever.

Of course, Mr Speaker, I have prepared another, alternative team. Let me thank the people of South Africa for appointing me to coach a team of Badala Badala. [Laughter.] That team will be on standby to assist Bafana Bafana should the need arise, thus becoming the reserve team. [Laughter.]

As the self-anointed coach, let me take this opportunity to announce my alternative winning team. I have appointed my assistant coach and he is Butana “The Fire” Komphela; my No 1 head of the technical team is Mathole “The Activist” Motshekga; my No 1 goalkeeper is Nelson “United Nations” Mandela; my No 2 defender is Sandile “Rider” Ngcobo; my No 3 defender is Max “Order!” Sisulu; my No 4 defender is Thabo “T-bo Touch” Mbeki; and my No 5 sweeper and marshalling defender is Kgalema “The Brains” Motlanthe. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

My No 7 attacking midfielder is Irvin “Iron Duke” Khoza; my No 9 attacking midfielder is Kaizer “Shintsha Guluva” Motaung; my No 8 defending midfielder is Makhenkesi “Vuvuzela” Stofile; my No 6 attacking and defending midfielder is Mangosuthu “Laduma” Buthelezi; and my No 11 deadly striker is Danny “Shosholoza” Jordaan. My No 10 playmaker midfielder, “Captain! my Captain!”, is Jacob “Commander-in-Chief” Zuma, who will also be the captain. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

My No 1 South African supporter is Sepp “Afrika, Ke Nako” Blatter; my No 1 reserve goalkeeper is Kenneth “Titanic” Meshoe; my No 1 substitute is Kirsten “My Ambassador” Nematandani; and my No 2 substitute is Mike “Calling for Division” Ellis. [Laughter.] [Applause.]

I offer my apologies to all those good and potential players who could not make it on to the Badala Badala team. Fifa wants only 23 players! [Laughter.] [Applause.]

Speaker, as much as I need support and prayers that none of my team players should suffer from any old-age diseases during this time, our team, Bafana Bafana, and our coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, require all our support, all our encouragement, and all our vuvuzelas for them to play like true maestros, and to make us as a nation proud.

A sense of pride, a sense of dignity, a sense of expectation has engulfed our people as the date for the opening matches gets closer.

Yingakho, Somlomo, ngithi ngivumele ngisike kwelijikayo, ngithi ndoda yom’Afrika gqoka ingubo yakho yamakhosi, haya ingoma yakho yezimbongi, giya uqephuze uthi ibuyile i-Afrika. Ntombi yomAfrika butha abantwana bakho ubafukamele, yisho ngezwi lakho elipholile uthi: ”Kuhle kwethu e-Afrika.” Kikiza uhalalise uthi lethwese ihlobo. Iyasho nenyoni emthini ithi: “Amdokwe amabele, avuthiwe e-Afrika.” [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)

[That is why, Speaker, I request that you allow me to state briefly: African man, wear your kingship attire, sing a poetic song, celebrate, dance, and say, “Ibuyile i-Afrika.” African lady, collect your children and protect them; with your dulcet voice say: “It is good in our Africa”, ululate, congratulate, and say it is good. Even the beautiful bird in the tree says, “It is well in Africa.” [Applause.]]

I am a proud South African! I feel it, because it is here! [Applause.]

Aforika, ke Nako! [Africa, it is time!]

Nkosi sikelel’ i-Afrika. [God bless Africa.]

I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr M J ELLIS: Mr Chairman, I want to say, sir, that the hon member who has just spoken has chosen the best team she possibly could have, ever, for the World Cup, and I want to thank her very much indeed! [Laughter.] [Applause.]

Rev K R J MESHOE: Chairperson, I agree with the hon Mike Ellis: she did very well; that is the best team. [Laughter.]

On behalf of the ACDP it is my privilege to thank Fifa president Sepp Blatter for not only backing South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, but also, in the midst of sceptics, coming to the defence of South Africa’s ability to host a successful World Cup. We are grateful that President Zuma has also recognised Blatter’s outstanding leadership of world football and his support for our country through the many challenges and obstacles we faced as we prepared ourselves to host the greatest soccer spectacle of all time, when he awarded him gold in the Order of the Companions of O R Tambo.

The hard work and many sacrifices made by Bafana Bafana, their coach and the technical team have not gone unnoticed. We appreciate all of it very, very much.

We want to thank the Local Organising Committee led by Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza, Safa officials and the workers who built our magnificent stadiums for doing the job so well.

This is indeed a momentous occasion for South Africa in particular, and for the African continent as a whole. Seeing thousands upon thousands of cars flying the South African flag and their rear-view mirrors adorned with gloves in the colours of our national flag evokes patriotic emotions in all of us. Not to be outdone by motorists, most South Africans not only fly our national flag, but also wear the Bafana Bafana replica jerseys, particularly on Fridays. Looking at all Members of Parliament today, one cannot but say that they look outstanding and beautiful! [Applause.]

The vibe, excitement and anticipation of the greatest World Cup ever, to be held on the African continent, can be felt all over the country. The sound of vuvuzelas continually reminds us that the greatest sporting event on earth has finally arrived. “It is here! Can you feel it?”

HON MEMBERS: Yes!

Rev K R J MESHOE: We wish our national team, Bafana Bafana, all the courage and confidence they will need to do to Mexico what they did to Guatemala. Give the Bafana Bafana another high five! The nation is behind them. Phambili, Bafana Bafana! Phambili! [Forward, Bafana Bafana! Forward!] [Applause.]

Mrs M N MATLADI: Chairperson, it is obvious to everyone that the excitement that has been generated by our hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup is probably good for sports lovers and for the nation’s morale. Nevertheless, as realists we have got to look at some issues that will build the nation.

The government spent R34 billion to host an event that was expected to attract 450 000 spectators. That number has now dropped to 250 000. This will probably be termed a disadvantage if one looks at the expenditure. We planned for … [Interjections.] Yes, but what is important …

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order!

Ms M N MATLADI: … is that we look at things after the event. If we consider the huge capital expense, we have to know what the investment in tomorrow is. [Interjections.] Therefore we must have plans for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. We have to look at the advantages for South Africa internationally in the future.

But, as the UCDP, we say that we acknowledge all the good work that has been done by way of the stadia, the roads, and the improvement in Bafana Bafana’s performance, especially in the past three matches they have played. We say to them: “On Saturday, 5 June 2010, do as well as you have done in the past three matches. “We say …

… katlego, masego, nala. Ra re, mmogo re ka kgona. Kgetse ya tsie e kgonwa ke go tshwaraganelwa. Re a leboga. [… “Good luck!” We believe that together we can. We thank you.]

Mr D B FELDMAN: Hon Chairperson, Deputy President, hon Ministers, hon members of the National Council of Provinces and distinguished guests, let me take this opportunity on behalf of Cope and Comrade Terror Lekota and Comrade Shilowa to say to Comrade Nelson Mandela, thank you very much for everything you have done for our country and for bringing the 2010 World Cup to our country.

As you know, the name “Terror” comes from the hon Lekota’s soccer skills. We want to say here now that Bafana, our boys, will go onto that field ready. Let me send this message to all the teams in this World Cup: We are ready. We don’t fear any of you. We are ready to win.

Chairperson, let me send a message to our coach: We support you all the way. We will be there in the stadiums, we will be there blowing our vuvuzelas, and we will be there, singing Shosholoza.

On security, let me commend our Minister of Police and the Minister of State Security for doing an excellent job. We know that everybody will be safe in our country. Our prisons are ready for any troublemakers! I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr D M GUMEDE: Hon Chairperson, hon members and our esteemed guests, after visiting all the host cities, the airports and some ports of entry, health facilities, stadiums and venues for fan parks and public viewing areas, and after having held hearings with almost all the main stakeholders, we are ready to report to Parliament.

Starting with the tourism aspects, the progress and plans for fan parks took into account arrangements for small businesses, convenience for fans and security for all. The same applied to the public viewing areas. We believe that we shall be ready in all these aspects.

At the time of the oversight visit, signage was a concern. But right now, coming from different parts of the country, our members have expressed satisfaction with what they have seen since then. Overpricing has been a concern and has been watched closely by the Minister as a result. We can report now that the industry is well aware of the undesirable impact of overpricing and will be in line with pricing associated with peak periods. Although we might have had some problems then, all of them now seem to have been sorted out. Indeed, we are also proud to report that all our airports are clean and well maintained, as well as well resourced.

On matters of health, we checked casualty wards, chemists, trauma units, intensive care units, burn units and blood banks — all resources and capacities. We are satisfied and say that we are ready in as far as looking after injuries and any trauma that could be experienced during the World Cup is concerned.

We are confident about the future of our motherland and that of our continent. We love being African, given the quality of what we have produced with our own hands. None of the airports has failed to impress us. The character, creativity and beauty of being South African cannot be better expressed. I have been to many modern countries, including England, France and Belgium, and I can confidently say that our airports are without doubt among the best and cleanest in the world. [Applause.]

On other deliverables, we have to look at the optimisation of the legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. What type of legacy are we likely to get from this mega event, the biggest event on earth? For instance, we have to look at the managerial risk, the security risk and the reputation risk. The type of hospitality, the quality of service our guests receive, together with the provision of a safe environment will go a long way as far as these are concerned.

We have confronted our tasks with all the vim, verve and vibrancy we are capable of. Using our capacity, four days ago we hosted one of the biggest ultramarathons on earth, spanning about 90 km between Durban and Pietermaritzburg — that is the Comrades Marathon. It could be even longer, at 96 km. This marathon really tests your mental state, your physical state, your capacity, your dedication, your guts — and every runner is pushed to the limit.

It consists of more than 20 000 athletes and more than a million spectators, and organisers are tested to the limit in the process. Not a single incident was reported with regard to crime associated with this event. The only injuries reported were those associated with the sport, and they were all attended to on time, appropriately and effectively. It was spectacular, despite its daunting magnitude. Logistically, everything went as planned. The Comrades Marathon is one of the biggest events on earth and, four days ago, we accomplished it with flying colours.

That is what South Africans, black and white, working together, can achieve, as they do every year. In that event everyone, irrespective of their outlook, is a comrade, prepared to help anyone without any questions asked. We may say many things about ourselves, but this clearly indicates that we are a great nation, warts and all.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the hon Thabethe and the members of committees that went on the oversight visit. Let the games begin. The lights are on. It is time for South Africa to shine. We are ready. Ke Nako! [It is here!]

Tshifhinga ndi tshone. Murumba nga u tambele tshanda. Kha i shome! Ndi a livhuwa. [U vhanda zwanda.] [It is time. Let the games begin. Get ready! I thank you. [Applause.]]

Shine, South Africa! Shine! Shine, Africa! Shine! Feel it! It is here. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Hon Chairperson, hon Acting President, hon members and hon guests, the Fifa World Cup has arrived. We can touch it!

South Africa should be proud that both President Zuma and Deputy President Motlanthe were great footballers in their day. Of course, they can still dribble the opposition today! If my facts are correct, the hon President captained the Rangers Football Club and the hon Deputy President played for the Komesho football team. [Interjections.]

Amagama ayafana, ungacabanga ukuthi yinkomo, hhayi inkomo kodwa Inkomesho. [Uhleko.] [Words sound the same; you might think that he is referring to inkomo [cow], when he is in fact referring to Komesho. [Laughter.]]

Both teams were affiliates of the Makana Football Association. The association was founded by the Robben Island political prisoners in June

1. All credit goes to Fifa for granting honorary membership to the Makana Football Association. We want to urge the SA Football Association, Safa, to follow suit and pronounce itself on the Makana Football Association. Nobody knows where Safa stands in relation to the Makana Football Association. We also urge the Minister of Arts and Culture to make sure that a section of Robben Island is used to preserve the glorious legacy of the Makana Football Association.

The nation has been warned of possible xenophobic flare-ups after the World Cup. This is not xenophobia; it is Afro-phobia because only Africans, foreign and local, are victims of this violent self-hatred.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Hon member, your speaking time has expired.

Mr L M MPHAHLELE: Lastly, hon Chair, I humbly offer my services, free of charge, to serve as a referee in the game between South Africa and Mexico. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mr R B BHOOLA: Chairperson, one of the greatest achievements in postapartheid South Africa is our success in getting the World Cup. Furthermore, we have proved to the world that South Africa has outstanding organisational ability, and the very fact that our facilities have been hailed as world-class by Fifa president Sepp Blatter is a clear indication of the fact that our country will stage the greatest Soccer World Cup in history.

In 1994 Madiba wrote a message on how sport could lead to reconciliation and unity in our country, and it is clearly evident that right across the country all South Africans are united behind our country, our flag and our team.

The MF is very encouraged by the words of our coach, Carlos Parreira, in saying that Bafana Bafana is ready to take on any team. We also want to congratulate all the cities and everyone who has played a role in bringing this great spectacle to South Africa. Let us march forward all the way, with courage, conviction and determination. Let us never stop, until we have delivered a winning nation.

When it comes to a team, you need players to play with their hearts if you want to succeed, and Bafana Bafana is one such side. To Bafana Bafana: As you kick off after years of hard training, you have been chosen as the best team. Aaron Mokoena, you will master your game plan and go forward in the field of life. Always strike like Teko Modise, defend like Booth, score like Maradona and Tshabalala, and never, ever fall like Zidane.

May you always tackle your problems, dribble your opponents, and achieve more through team effort. When the vuvuzela sounds, make sure that you’re on the right side and, finally, you must never get red-carded.

One nation, one vision, raising the level of expectation and the spirit of winning, — together with Bafana Bafana, we can score the winning goal and make South Africa a winning nation. Halala, Bafana Bafana! Halala! I would like all hon members to give Bafana Bafana a huge round of applause in advance. I thank you. [Applause.]

Prince M M M ZULU: Sihlalo, Phini likaMongameli wezwe elibambile, malungu ahloniphekile aleNdlu, mhlonishwa Mkhathini nekomidi lakho … [Chairperson, Deputy President of the country, who is also the Acting President, hon members of this House, hon Mkhathini and your committee …]

… on behalf of the IFP I am standing here today, proud as an African …

… ngoba izwe lakithi liphumelele ukubamba le ndebe yomhlaba kule ngabadi yakithi i-Afrika. Kunezinto ezimbalwa okufanele ngizibale njengokuthi, abantu abayizivakashi ezweni lethu kufanele sibahloniphe futhi sazi ukuthi beze kithina.

Sicela bonke abezokuphepha mhlonishwa Nyambose, bame ngomumo, ukuze uma senza ubugebengu basiqoqe basifake phakathi. Egameni leNkatha Yenkululeko Yesizwe ngifisela iNingizimu Afrika yonke nezwekazi lase Afrika impumelelo.

Sengigcina, Sihlalo, ngeke ngikwazi ukuthi ngizibongele ngokuthi isifundazwe sakwaZulu-Natali sinenkundla enkulukazi, kodwa, ngicela abantu bakwaZulu-Natali ukuthi bangaphoxi, babaphathe kahle abantu bokuhamba njengomakoti. (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)

[… because our country has succeeded in hosting this World Cup in our land, Africa. There are a few things that I must mention, such as that the people who are visitors to our country should be respected and we must know that they have visited us.

We request that all the state security, hon Nyambose, should be ready, so that when people are involved in criminal activities they should be arrested us. On behalf of the IFP, I wish South Africa and the entire African continent success.

In conclusion, Chairperson, I won’t be able to sing praises for myself by saying that the province of KwaZulu-Natal has a very big stadium, but I am requesting the people of KwaZulu-Natal to behave themselves and to treat the visitors well.]

I request the House to join together and say, “Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva!”

HON MEMBERS: Viva! [Applause.]

Mr K J DIKOBO: Hon Chairperson, hon Acting President, hon members, dear guests, during the bidding for the hosting of the Fifa 2010 World Cup many analysts did not give South Africa a chance. There was talk of Morocco’s being closer to Europe and therefore having a better chance. Well, we got the bid.

After our winning the rights, the same analysts went on about how South Africa would not complete the stadia and other infrastructure in time. Fifa president Mr Sepp Blatter and Fifa as a whole were put under pressure to make a Plan B. Well, all host cities are ready; in fact, they are more than ready.

There is now talk of Bafana Bafana not being ready and that our team will not proceed to the knockout stage. There is an African proverb about a dog barking, but the barking will not stop the wagon from moving. We declare here today that we are ready, South Africans are ready, and our team is ready.

To those South Africans who want Bafana Bafana to go on to the second round we say, you have no ambition! Azapo says to Bafana Bafana: “Go all the way!”

We wait in anticipation for the next session of Parliament, when we will be hosting Bafana Bafana, led by the chairperson of the committee, the hon Komphela, in order to congratulate them on a job well done. [Applause.]

We wish everybody — Fifa, Safa and all spectators — a successful and peaceful World Cup. God bless South Africa. God bless all of us. I thank you. [Applause.]

Mr J J GUNDA: 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 Pelé 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.]

Mr N T GODI: Hon Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Speaker, comrades and hon members, with the kickoff of the World Cup just a few days from now, we are about to reach the exciting climax of a long and arduous journey. Thanks go to our government, the Local Organising Committee and the African Union for the meticulous organisation thus far and, above all, the people, for their energy and patriotism that see us poised to deliver the best World Cup ever.

Let us hope that the patriotism, energy and ingenuity that were unleashed in building the stadia and other related infrastructure will remain mobilised to solve the enormous developmental challenges that are still facing the majority of our people. If we can sustain that, it will be the lasting legacy of the World Cup in our country and on the continent.

In the euphoria of this moment we have forgotten about Charles Dempsey. We are thrusting to the far corners of nothingness those who were advocating a Plan B in Australia; those who said we would not have the money; those who said that we would not meet the deadlines; and all the negative commentary that we have had to put up with. All these negatives, both at home and abroad, are part of a historical question as to whether we as Africans have an equal share in the brotherhood and sisterhood of mankind.

Whilst we wish all the participating teams the best of luck, we cannot disguise our partisan support for our national team, Bafana Bafana, in particular, and the African teams in general. The generation of Roger Milla first, and subsequently the youthful squad of Senegal, have raised the African flag high. The six African nations have a unique opportunity to raise the African flag even higher. After all, all the major football leagues have African boys amongst their superstars. They do it for their European teams; they can and should do it for the continent.

We would be remiss if we did not thank Fifa for their steadfast support and guidance throughout the preparations, and especially Fifa president Comrade Sepp Blatter. His confidence and belief in us were singular and unwavering. Comrade Blatter, you will live in the hearts and minds of our people for a long time to come. You are truly a son of the soil, a son of Africa.

As we enjoy the greatest sporting spectacle on earth, let us not forget that the world still exists around us with its thrills, dangers and misery. Let us remember to continue to raise our voices in support of the besieged but heroic people of Palestine. After all, we are all Palestinians. Long live Palestine! [Applause.]

HON MEMBERS: Long live!

Mr W F FABER: Hon Chairperson, Deputy President and honoured guests, it is indeed an honour for me to be part of history in the making and address you seven days before the biggest sporting event Africa has ever experienced. South Africa is ready! Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva!

HON MEMBERS: Viva!

Mr W F FABER: Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva!

HON MEMBERS: Viva!

Mr W F FABER: The DA would like to welcome all the football supporters from all over the world to our beautiful country, because it is them that we need to become tourism multipliers. However, without the world’s best football players we would not have a World Cup! To all the players from all over the world, namkelekile! [you are welcome!]

We sincerely hope that your preparations for the World Cup event have gone well, so that we can enjoy the best quality football ever experienced. This will be a celebration as never seen before. The rainbow nation that Nelson Mandela dreamt of will now be visible for the whole world to see. This will be the highlight of Madiba’s dream. Our World Cup slogan clearly reflects our vision: One team, one nation, proudly united under one rainbow.

The first World Cup was hosted by Uruguay in 1930 and, incredibly, they won it. Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2. Francisco Varallo is the only player still alive from the 1930 inaugural World Cup. He played for Argentina. He turned 100 years old on 5 February 2010. We salute this living legend.

As a representative from the Northern Cape, I am proud to be from Kimberley, the host city of the Uruguayan team. This in itself is an historic occasion for the Diamond City. Kimberley was also the first city in the southern hemisphere to have electric street lights, in September

1. Kimberley hosted South Africa’s first stock exchange, the Kimberley Royal Stock Exchange, which opened on 2 September 1882. The Uruguayan team will also stay in the hotel next to the Big Hole, the largest hand-dug hole on planet earth.

On 16 June 2010 our national team will face Uruguay in the first round. Our support for our visiting side stops there! [Laughter.] Bafana Bafana recorded their biggest international win yet when they thrashed Guatemala 5- 0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Monday night. You must keep this momentum going, guys!

It was a fitting celebration for our captain, Aaron Mokoena, who is the first South African footballer to win 100 international caps. We congratulate our Bafana Bafana captain, Aaron Mokoena, on his great achievement.

In 1996 we won the Africa Cup of Nations with stars Lucas Radebe, Doc Khumalo and John “Shoes” Moshoeu. Who will ever forget Clive Barker flying Boeing-like across the pitch after the 1996 African Cup of Nations? But that is all water under the bridge. It is now time for our new stars to shine.

Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Matthew Booth, to name just a few, this is your time! South Africa stands behind you as one nation, the rainbow nation. You will hear us in the crowd shouting, blowing our vuvuzelas. You go and make us proud! Feel it! It is here! Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva! [Time expired.]

HON MEMBERS: Viva!

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: No vuvuzelas! [Laughter.] [Applause.] Order, hon members! The ruling was that there would be no blowing of vuvuzelas in the House. Remember that.

Mr G S RADEBE: Hon Chair, on a point of order …

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Yes, hon member? But who is out of order, because no one is speaking? [Interjections.]

Mr G S RADEBE: I will tell you now, Chair. I think I should run vuvuzela classes. Outside people must …

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Take your seat, hon member. You can do that later on. [Laughter.]

Mrs E THABETHE: Chairperson, Acting President, Ministers present, Deputy Ministers, MECs present, Members of Parliament and our guests, “Afrika ke nako.” [“Africa’s time has come.”] We can feel it; it is here.

In order for Parliament to exercise its oversight role, a joint ad hoc committee was established to determine South Africa’s state of readiness to host the Soccer World Cup. The ad hoc committee was composed of members of both the portfolio and select committees from both Houses. We would like to thank the Speaker and Chairperson for allowing us to do that oversight work, because we as Members of Parliament were able to check the state of readiness.

We must say that this was a committee of men and women from all the parties — all of us united — who had to make sure that we could check our state of readiness for hosting this spectacular event. What we were doing included checking host cities and stadia. In short, we were all of one voice in saying that without any doubt South Africa was ready to host the 2010 World Cup.

Allow us, then, to cite examples of what we came across as we were moving around. We talked to people and some of them were eager to tell us that they were ready for 2010, and that they had even been ready beforehand. We hoped that we would be able then to get the necessary support and make sure that we could move as one.

After the oversight visits we called the Ministers who signed the Fifa guarantees, the supporting departments and the stakeholders, such as Acsa, the SA Petroleum Industry Association and SAA — all of them – as well as the host cities. We were assured that, by hook or by crook, we were going to host a spectacular World Cup.

We were happy because the collective spirit and resilience carried us through in overcoming the insurmountable task of proving our detractors wrong by meeting all the deadlines that were set by Fifa. Most of our stadia and accommodation — almost everything — met Fifa requirements. We hope that we make use of the legacy of the World Cup as a developing country. This has come about because all of us were working together — stakeholders, departments and even ordinary people in South Africa.

After this teamwork with all of the committees was over, I’m sure that what wasn’t mentioned was that I was their “super induna”. They were reporting to me, though I am not sure why they are so jealous now that they are not saying that they were under my supervision. They had to kneel before me and then I would give them permission! All in all, it was a great experience for me to do this job. After all, we were able to do proper oversight work – to be “an activist Parliament” as the President has said. We were also happy to get assistance from MECs, host cities, mayors, and so on.

With regard to the energy side of things, it is quite important, not because I chair the Energy Portfolio Committee, but because you can do what you need to in the stadia and with accommodation, but if you don’t get the energy and power supply right, you may experience problems. What I am reporting here today is that in all these aspects everything went okay, and we even did dry runs. In all the stadia we tripped the power, and saw that with all of them there was power again in less than one minute. In some of the stadia, you wouldn’t even have known that there was load shedding. That is how prepared we are for the World Cup, unless there are …

… abantu laba abathakathayo. Abazohamba-ke bagijime ngomshayelo lapho singaba nenkinga, kodwa uma kungekho abantu abathakathayo … [… people practising witchcraft. That is the only thing that can give us problems, but if there are no witches …]

… we are ready. All those systems will have uninterrupted service, so we hope that this is really reassuring.

What is left for us to do then is to welcome these people. I am sure that all of us will be seen at the stadia. But we must give them our cuisine. Let’s encourage them to have pap and steak. Let us encourage them to have morogo. Let us encourage them …

… ukuthi badle amasonja ngoba alungile futhi anempilo. [… to eat mopani worms, because they are good and healthy.]

Let us make sure that after this they will come back. Some of them will definitely come back.

With regard to this World Cup, we are happy as Parliament and as members that we really did the oversight work in earnest, and we don’t think that there will be any problems, unless we have …

… abaningi abahamba ebusuku. [… many witches.]

All in all, let’s have the spirit and the vibe, and make sure that we fly the flags in our homes too. We must try to do the same with our cars – everything. We say: “Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva!”

HON MEMBERS: Viva!

Mrs E THABETHE: Long live, Bafana Bafana! Long live!

HON MEMBERS: Long live!

Mrs E THABETHE: When he opened Parliament this year, our President said that Bafana Bafana could surprise us. Some people laughed and said that …

… uMongameli uyazikhulumela-nje. [… the President was merely joking.]

But now, after the friendly match, are we all saying no, no, no?

Sonke sithi angithi bazokwenza ukuba siwine le Ndebe Yomhlaba ize lapha ekhaya. [We are all saying that they will enable us to win this World Cup and bring it home.]

Empa ba re jwale dintho di se di le boima haholo. A re ikakgeleng ka setotswana ebe jwale re keteka le batho, re etse dintho tsena kaofela empa re hlokomele baeti ba rona hobane re batla hore ba kgutlele mona hape. Ya senang sekaja mmae a tele hobane ho hobe jwale, re kena kgabong mme re tshepa hore Bafana Bafana ba tla re etsa motlotlo. Re kopa hore Fifa le LOC ba sebedisane le Safa … (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)

[But they are saying things that are now very difficult. Let us join and celebrate with the people and do all these things while taking care of our visitors, because we want them to come back again. The one who cannot keep pace should forget about it, because now things are happening, we are beginning to work, and we hope that Bafana Bafana will make us proud. We request that Fifa and the LOC should work together with Safa …]

… after hosting the World Cup, for the maintenance of the stadia.

Tsena ke dikgothalletso tseo re di entseng komiting. Ke tokomane e tenya eo re tlang ho e bala empa re re di sebeletse baahi ba Afrika Borwa. A re sebetseng kaofela. Halala, Bafana Bafana! Halala!

DITHO TSE HLOMPHEHANG: Halala! [Mahofi.] (Translation of Sesotho paragraphs follows.)

[These are suggestions that we have made in the committee. It is a thick document that we are going to read, but we are also saying that this should serve the people of South Africa. Let us all work. Viva, Bafana Bafana! Viva!

HON MEMBERS: Viva! [Applause.]]

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Malibongwe! [Praise!] Chairperson, being the sweeper — as I will be closing the debate — let me commence by issuing a disclaimer. There are many hopefuls amongst us who are wearing yellow T- shirts. The only person who is doing the right thing is the Deputy President of the country. He doesn’t have a T-shirt. You are disappointed, but Parreira has chosen. There is no chance that a 24th player will be chosen from amongst you. [Laughter.]

Hon Chairperson; Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe, former President Kgalema Motlanthe … [Laughter.] … hon members of the National Assembly and of the National Council of Provinces; president of the Confederation of African Football, Mr Issa Hayatou – and I have been reminded that it is very important to acknowledge that he has been awarded the highest award in South Africa, the Order of the Companions of O R Tambo … [Applause.] … the president of the SA Football Association, Mr Kirsten Nematandani; his deputy president, Mr “Shoes” Mazibuko; Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Irvin “The Iron Duke” Khoza; CEO of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Danny Jordaan; distinguished guests; and Zakumi, who has run away, one of the fundamental rules of Fifa relates to time, time for the commencement of a soccer game and its conclusion. This includes extra time or the referee’s optional time.

When we in the Local Organising Committee presented to Fifa and to the world our adopted slogan of “Ke nako”, we were conscious of this rule. “Now is the time.” All LOC board meetings and committees have discharged their responsibilities on time. All roads and related improvements have been completed on time. All airports, new and improved, have been finished on time. All work on iconic stadia, including those that we had to refurbish, has been accomplished on time.

This World Cup is also about several firsts. It is the first Fifa World Cup on the African continent; the first Fifa World Cup in Madiba’s country, our beloved South Africa; the first Fifa World Cup to be broadcast - by a developing country, we must say - with 3G technology; the first Fifa World Cup to be broadcast with a signal of high definition; the first Fifa World Cup to be held in so many iconic stadia; the first Fifa World Cup to be led by a Khoza … [Laughter.] … the first Fifa World Cup to be led by a Jordaan; and the first Fifa World Cup where we are going to see a supercharged Bafana Bafana team; and we say, “Ke nako!”

It was due to events in this House, then undemocratic and not representing the will of our people, that Fifa took a principled decision and expelled apartheid South Africa from the world community of football nations in

1. Subsequently, owing to democratic changes that came about because of the struggle, changes that occurred in this country in 1991, including activities in this House, Fifa was encouraged to readmit South Africa into the fold of football nations. Through this act our status as a pariah nation in football was done away with, and our dignity was restored. This is something to be applauded. [Applause.]

Today, at this joint multiparty sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, we all stand a breath away, just one week away, from the commencement of this momentous event in the history of our country as many speakers have indicated, and indeed in the history of the African continent: the hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Again, we say, “Ke nako.” In Venda they say …

… tshinwe na tshinwe tshi na tshifhinga tshatsho. [… everything has its own time.]

Each and every thing has its own time.

If one talks from an economic point of view, the Fifa World Cup is the single largest sporting event for any chosen host nation. To us, as many other speakers have said before me, its legacy includes infrastructural development. Fifa is not going to take those things away. Remember what our detractors were saying — and many of them are applauding with us today — that we have wasted money. This is a huge economic investment.

The infrastructure development that we are seeing in all provinces is not going to go away. This development will stay with us. The new hotels will stay with us. Transportation – don’t shoot down the Bus Rapid Transit system! — is with us. We are going to retain the Gautrain here. The jobs created, even if it were just one job, are our jobs. We have created more than one job, so that many people can put bread on their tables. [Applause.]

The legacy of this World Cup will be to leave us with an enhanced spirit regarding nonracialism, as well as patriotism. Witness, fellow members, the kind of atmosphere this country experienced outside Orlando Stadium deep in Soweto. On that day many blacks were at Soccer City where the Blue Bulls — not even a national team — were playing.

This World Cup is also going to leave us closer to our sister African nations. It will leave us more recognised and respected as Brand South Africa, and more integrated into the international community of more than football nations. It will also leave us with a sense of feeling good – the spirit of, “Feel it! Touch it! “Ke nako!”

We are hoping for the Barcelona effect. Long after the end of the Barcelona Olympics held in Spain, people kept on remembering that there was something called Spain, and they kept going back. So the manner in which we receive the people here must be in the African tradition of being welcoming.

Long after the final whistle, we as South Africans must not let the spirit of construction happening everywhere in this country dissipate. The political, the organisational, the patriotic, the financial, the logistical, the administrative and the project management elements, all of them, should still stay with us, so that we can make this nation, this country, one large construction site, creating, amongst other things, human settlements.

This World Cup is also going to leave us respected amongst nations, because Bafana Bafana is charged and poised to play soccer like never before. This is also going to leave us with the spirit of understanding that every South African and the members in this House have taken part in ensuring that this is a successful World Cup. It will leave us with the spirit of a people united, of a nonracial and nonsexist people, a people knowing that there is life long after the World Cup.

Many people have spoken before me. They have said a lot of things I was going to say. Therefore, I conclude by extending congratulations to several people. Well done, LOC. Well done! [Applause.] Well done, Irvan Khoza and Danny Jordaan! Well done! [Applause.]

Siyabonga, Safa! Siyabonga! [Ihlombe.] [Thank you, Safa! Thank you! [Applause.]]

Thank you, Mr Blatter and Fifa. Thank you! [Applause.] Dlala, Aaron Mokoena! Dlala! [Intswahla.] [Play, Aaron Mokoena! play! [Applause.]]

HON MEMBERS: Dlala! [Play!]

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Go, Parreira! Go!

HON MEMBERS: Go! [Applause.]

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Halala, Bafana! Halala!

HON MEMBERS: Halala!

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Vuvuzela, Mzansi! Vuvuzela!

HON MEMBERS: Vuvuzela!

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: Welcome to the whole world! Welcome!

HON MEMBERS: Welcome!

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: I want to say: Let the best nation win, as long as it is South Africa. [Applause.] [Laughter.] Let the best team prevail, as long as it is …

HON MEMBERS: South Africa!

The MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: We are already winners. We are saying now is the time.

Tshinwe na tshinwe tshi na tshifhinga tshatsho. [Everything has its own time.]

Sekunjalo! [It is here!]

Feel it! Touch it! Ke nako! [It is here!] [Applause.]

Debate concluded.

The CHAIRPERSON OF THE NCOP: Order! Order, hon members! I can’t speak until you all keep quiet. After I have adjourned the Joint Sitting, I would like to request hon members and guests to remain in their places until the procession, which will include the Speaker, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP and the Acting President, has left the Chamber.

The Acting President and the Presiding Officers will be joined in the foyer in front of the National Assembly by the vice president of Fifa, the chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, the CEO of the Local Organising Committee, the president of the SA Football Association, Mr Komphela and Ms Rantho for a photo opportunity. Members should also not forget to sign the giant T-shirt that is still outside. Those who have not signed it are reminded to go and do so.

The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces adjourned the Joint Sitting at 15:59.