Mr Speaker, hon President, Deputy President, Ministers, Premiers, people in the gallery, Fifa and sporting codes, this is one of the most important debates after the World Cup. South Africa won all-round accolades for staging one of the greatest Soccer World Cups of all time. The stupendous goal scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala will remain etched in our collective memory. [Applause.] As a country, we bask in the glory of our successes and, had it not been for unwarranted negative media, the number of overseas visitors would have been even larger.
As the sweet memories of the sound of the triumphant Spanish Armada - singing, "Ole! Ole!" - begin to fade into distant memory, we need to jolt ourselves back into everyday reality. As a nation, we must not slip back to business as usual regarding issues such as crime, political agendas, and other actions that can unravel the hard-fought gains of the World Cup.
We have changed international perceptions of South Africa. We at Cope urge the government to tread cautiously when pursuing policies that will have a negative impact on our freedom and fledgling democracy. To the government I say: "Well done! It was a great World Cup. Keep it up and you will be amazed at how the country responds." [Applause.]
I witnessed again and again the manifest love for our national flag of all our people, the passion with which the national anthem was sung by everybody, and the manner in which all our people, black and white, came together to support the games. This provided an enormous spurt in nation- building, as well as the definition of our national identity. These powerful gains must be consolidated. The patriotism that was aroused must be kept alive, and the vibrant democracy we put on display must remain intact for all times.
When Bafana Bafana was eliminated in the first round, our people kept alive their total enthusiasm for the remaining games. What a great nation we have! Cope also salutes Bafana Bafana on their gutsy performance on the field. Well done, guys.
Our roads, airports and city infrastructure were improved to such an extent that we could scarcely believe our eyes. We showed clearly what we are capable of doing when we work together as a united people for the common good. Our policing was the best it has ever been, and the wheels of justice turned more smoothly and faster than ever before. If we could do it then, why can't we do it now? Are the problems of the poor beyond our capacity to solve? I don't believe so.
We really and truly impressed the world. Now the time has come for the government to equally impress the people of South Africa. We demand this with one voice.
Regarding stadiums, unlike Korea and China, where newly built stadiums were demolished after their Olympics and World Cup, we must ensure that our legacy remains intact. As Fifa's Jrme Valcke said, the legacy and use of infrastructure and all that will be built for the World Cup must not, and will not, become white elephants.
In awarding conditional grants to the cities, the government specified their preparing the stadiums and making them multipurpose venues to include a variety of sports. However, yesterday we learnt that cricket and rugby, among other sports, were not consulted by some city authorities, resulting in some stadiums not being suitable to host different sporting codes. We urge government to come down hard on these cities.
Government was a prime participant in pushing for the sporting infrastructure we have; government must now push to have multipurpose use for them. Taxpayers and, of course, our citizens need this legacy. Our stadiums are iconic. They reflect our personality, our resolve and our spirit. If they die, something very precious in us will also die.
Cope suggests that all PSL matches should also have a curtain-raiser that will involve women soccer players in order to improve their standards and help to attract women spectators. The World Cup has also highlighted the role of the arts in sports. We should henceforth use the experience to make all PSL matches into feasts of the arts, as well as of sports.
I now come to an important political issue. At the matches I attended I witnessed both black and white communities coming out in great numbers to watch the football. This legacy has an important contribution to make to resolving the question of national identity and achieving social cohesion.
All South Africans love football and this support must continue. The fact that there was a very high level of security at all World Cup matches encouraged people to indulge their passion for soccer, as was evident at the fan parks, beachfronts, public viewing areas and stadiums. As a citizen of Durban, I must say how proud I was to see this transformation. They were clean and welcoming to our tourists. Other cities, without doubt, would also have done the same. Our challenge is to ensure that this benchmark remains. As Cope we are confident that when government and the sporting bodies get together everything is possible.
Cope offers its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the South African government, particularly the Minister, who has been a huge support and driving force for the World Cup, Danny Jordaan and his organising team, the thousands of volunteers, Safa, Fifa and all the people of South Africa who contributed to the success of the World Cup.
If we dream, we can create. Our season of dreams, Minister, has only just begun, because as a country we now need to start dreaming again. This time we must dream about the Olympics in Durban in 2020. Come on, Durban. Come on, South Africa. We can make it happen. We are as tall as our dreams. Amandla, Mzansi Africa! Amandla! [Power to South Africa! Power!] I thank you. [Applause.]