President Zuma invites Archbishop Tutu to Parliament for World Cup debate – 19 August 2010

Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined soccer legends, FIFA representatives and politicians at a Joint Sitting of Parliament to debate on 2010 FIFA Soccer World Tournament.

Addressing a full house, President Zuma said the gathering was to “celebrate this outstanding African success story”.

“There could not have been a better platform to thank South Africans for this outstanding achievement than in Parliament, before the elected representatives of our people,” he said, adding that, “Working together as South Africans, we have proved that we are a nation of winners”.

During his speech, the President thanked “Archbishop Desmond Tutu and all in the 1Goal Education for all Initiative, for keeping that important legacy alive during the tournament”.

He also acknowledged “the soccer legends who are here today, who have laid the foundation for a football nation, and who actively support the 1Goal Education initiative. These include Mark Fish, Patson ‘Kamuzu’ Banda, Doctor Khumalo, Kalusha Bwalya, Trott Moloto, Brian Tlale and Desiree Ellis”.

President Zuma said Bafana Bafana captain, Aaron Mokoena, “is an outstanding and eloquent ambassador of the 1Goal education initiative”.

And he added: “We thank the media, especially the international media, which provided us with much international exposure, portraying our country accurately as a bastion of peace, stability, efficiency, success and achievement.”

The Archbishop mingled with those attending the event, including Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, and Doc Khumalo.