Hon Speaker and hon members, as a nation we are experiencing a wave of unity and harmony as a
result of the Springboks' win in the Rugby World Cup 2019. For this we are grateful, and may God help us sustain this atmosphere.
To Rassie, you have stayed your course and forged a team of men who had the heart and skill to bring home the Webb Ellis Trophy. Thank you. [Applause.]
To the Springboks management and support personnel we say a job well done. Without you our boys would not have been able to perform as well as they did.
To Siya and the rest of the team, you have captured this nation's imagination. Thank you for raising our hopes and making us proud.
Hon members, before our players went onto the field, President Ramaphosa gave the squad a motivational talk. Later on when I met him just before the game started we had a laugh when I said to him: "I hope that the buffalo did not intimidate the Springboks too much".
Sport, both in terms of participation and the support of our teams, can help to generate revenue, create jobs and create social cohesion. We must learn from countries like Australia.
Hon members, we would therefore be well advice to create a sports agency to co-ordinate the various sports codes in terms of facilities, especially in rural areas and townships as well as identify the latent talent and developing the potential of our sports men and women. This task cannot be left in the hands of the bureaucrats.
We say thank you to Japan and her people for hosting a successful Rugby World Cup. Having being in Japan for the final I was touched that the Japanese people learned Nkosi Sikelel' Afrika - a truly remarkable feat of a model nation. [Applause.]
Another phenomenon that struck me is the absence of dustbins but there is absolutely no litter. Each person takes responsibility for their own rubbish - they take ownership. This is a trait that South Africans can study and emulate.
Their motor industry is based on homemade goods. How I wish that we could create jobs by making parts of that industry as we have the raw materials.
Finally, just one thought; I would behove South Africa to enter into bilateral agreements with Japan to train entrepreneurs and owners of small, medium and macro enterprises, SMMEs. I thank you. [Applause.]