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President Cyril Ramaphosa declared 15 December a public holiday in celebration of the Springboks rugby world cup victory, and also in honour of South Africa’s other sporting achievements.
In a wide-ranging address to the nation on Monday night, the President said while many were calling for a celebratory public holiday sooner, it was felt that this would be too disruptive for the country’s matriculants as final exams get underway.
“I know that many of us want us to have a holiday now to celebrate. But we should all agree that we should give our matriculants time to focus on their exams and celebrate afterwards,” President Ramaphosa said.
He said the public holiday would be a day of hope, celebration and unity.
“Our sports men and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no-one behind.”
The President also called on South Africans to now rally behind the Proteas in the same way that they did in support of the Springboks.
The world cup winning team will return home on Tuesday to a rousing welcome at OR Tambo International Airport before embarking on a four-day trophy tour that also takes in East London on Sunday.
SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, meanwhile issued a statement on Monday to respond to mounting appeals for the trophy tour to take in Nelson Mandela Bay, after many felt snubbed at the decision.
He noted that another significant Springbok event is being planned for Nelson Mandela Bay next year, but said specific details were still to be confirmed.
Alexander said the players’ club commitments necessitate their swift return or immediate rehabilitation after 21 weeks of intense competition since the Castle Lager Rugby Championship began.
“Satellite tours to other population centres in the Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape, among other places, are in the planning stages, with scheduling contingent on players’ club commitments.
“While it was always challenging to visit every town and city due to time constraints, we are confident that our choices and ongoing planning will enable us to visit all major population centres in every province over time. With the Cup in our possession for another four years, there’s ample opportunity for that.”
