Madam Speaker, my brothers and sisters in Parliament and all South Africans, there is dream, I feel so real, so real, all the world in union the world as one. Never could we have imagined that the lyrics to what is now known as the Rugby World Cup theme song would be so prophetic.
Our country has been in a bad way. Our people have been divided; hate was becoming the norm, leaving many people feeling more than a little helpless and vulnerable. The problem is that we as people were forgetting who we were. The times in which we found ourselves had made it hard for any of us to see the light, the flame that burns inside each and everyone of us. That flame reminds us that we are the nation of love, kindness, forgiveness, resilience, and determination, and bravery. It's the flame that burns in the South African soul that many have tried to extinguish, but have failed at every attempt. It's that flame that tells us that when we are together we are in fact stronger together.
It is that flame that causes us to always revert to our default position as a nation, which is love. It is that
flame that causes us to have the best sense of humour in the world, the flame that allows us to do the vosho to Sho Majozi, a langarm to Kurt Darren and the bus stop to Vulindlela all while wearing our Springbok jerseys and flying our rainbow national flag.
You see, I know this love to be our country is our default position because you cannot fake the utter joy that was felt by 99,999% of South Africans when Captain fantastic Siya Kolisi lifted the Web Ellis trophy. You cannot fake that 99,999% of South Africans had a tear run down their cheek when Springbok coach Rassie Erasumus gave us a master class in nation building. You cannot fake the laughter and happiness that we all felt when Faf de Klerk met Prince Harry in the Bok change room wearing a South African speedo. You cannot fake the outpouring of love that spontaneously erupted on the streets of South Africa, in our airports and everywhere that bus went with our champions on board. That is true love it's not manufactured, it's real, it's our default position as South Africans.
This is what it means to be South African. It means looking around and acknowledging the horrors that so many are faced with, but it is knowing that there is nothing wrong with South Africa that cannot be fixed with what is right with South Africa. Gathering together, one mind, one heart, one creed, every colour, once joined, never apart.
What a team...what a team! The level of determination, strength of character, sportsmanship and comradery, it was a wonder to behold. I had the extreme honour of meeting some of the team when they started their South African tour here at Parliament and I was immediately struck by two things. The first was their humbleness and patriotism, the second was the fact that none of them has quite yet realised that they in actual fact came to the rescue of a country when we were at a frighteningly low point.
This squad of gentle giants have led this country from a path of hate that some amongst us were attempting to lead us down, and brought us back together. This squad of heroes ensured that love conquered hate. It wasn't just
their immense talent on the field, it was their very nature.
The men that lead our Springbok team are in fact heroes in every sense of the word. To the hosts Japan, our sincerest thanks for your incredible hospitality, goodwill and supreme sportsmanship. To you we say Doumo Arigatou!
Other countries wanted to win the world cup, South Africa needed to win the world cup. Thank you to our Springbok heroes! Go and take your place in the hall of legends and always remember, you are your ancestors' wildest dreams. Go Bokke!