President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared 15 December 2023 a public holiday to commemorate the Springboks’ momentous achievement at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris, France.
On Saturday night, South Africans watched with pride and joy as the national rugby team became world champions for the fourth time since the advent of democracy.
Addressing the nation on Monday night, the President explained that while many people want a vacation now, most can agree that candidates should have time to focus on his exam, after which the celebration will continue.
“To commemorate the momentous achievements of the Springboks and the achievements of all our other sportsmen and women, and to demonstrate the determination of our united country, I declare Friday December 15, 2023 is a public holiday.
“We declare that this day is a day of hope, a day of celebration and solidarity.
Our male and female athletes have shown us what can be done.
We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind,” President Ramaphosa said.
The Springboks will return home on Tuesday and the country will welcome them with great joy and jubilation.
They will go on a victory tour across the country and President Ramaphosa will receive them at Union Buildings this weekend.
The President urges the country to now rally behind the Proteas, just as how he supported the Springboks.
“I want us all to begin a period of celebration that will culminate in a celebratory holiday once our students complete their exams and the Proteas have made the country proud of the Cricket World Cup ,” he said.
-he declared.
Today marks the start of the 2023 National Senior Certificate exams for almost one million learners.
“In the coming weeks, our learners will demonstrate the value of the hard work, dedication and investment we have made as a nation in educating our youth “We wish them the best, confident that they will do the country proud,” President Ramaphosa said.
Stronger Together
President Ramaphosa took the opportunity to urge the nation to draw hope and encouragement from the determination and the performance the Springboks and the Proteas have displayed.
The victory by the Springboks and the performance of the Proteas follows the victory of Banyana Banyana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their progress to the knockout stages of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The country’s spirits were similarly lifted by the achievements of the national squad at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin in June.
“The determination and resilience of our teams have given credence to Madiba’s words that sports unites the nation.
In their achievements, they have revealed much about the unity of the people of the country they represent.
“As a people, we have shown what can be done when we are united, when we are determined, when we try our best and when we refuse to give up.
Together, we defeated apartheid, ended centuries of conflict, and created a thriving democracy.
Together, we faced and defeated the deadliest global pandemic in more than a century.
“We are truly stronger together,” he said.
“As we all watched their progress towards the championship, we marvelled at their resilience and determination to overcome some of the best teams in the rugby world.
At moments when their cause seemed lost, they fought back and they emerged victorious,” he said.
The President further applauded the cricket team who have been performing well in the Cricket World Cup.
