To every single worker who has contributed to this event the ID says: "We are very proud of you."
I would also like to call on the media to be responsible and patriotic in the coverage of this World Cup. We are saying to the media: "Stop your Afro- pessimism!"
In addition, today during the joint committee meeting, together with the LOC, the ID was not given a clear answer regarding the eventual privatisation of World Cup stadiums built with taxpayers' money.
Another concern for the ID is the delay, until October next year, of the deadline for the completion of the first phase of the Gautrain. The ID is disappointed that the first phase has been separated from the World Cup deliverables of the LOC.
Furthermore, in the period before our victory in the Africa Cup of Nations, Afcon, in 1996 under the leadership of Clive Barker, our local hero, all Bafana Bafana preparations were held in South Africa. The ID says that it does not make sense to take Bafana Bafana to Brazil. We are asking today: What does Brazil have that we don't have? Brazil has only one thing that we don't have, and that is the family of Carlos Perreira. [Applause.]
The ID would also like to voice its extreme concern that while Sepp Blatter has been assuring the world that visitors to this World Cup will be safe, people like Julius Malema, who has asked for protection, will not agree with this sentiment. I thank you. [Applause.]