President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the 15th of December a public holiday to much disappointment as many expected it to be recent. But due to the matric exams, it will be in December. The holiday, he says, is in celebration of the Springboks' achievement at the Rugby World Cup. The Springboks defeated New Zealand's All Blacks 12-11 on Saturday retaining their World Cup title.
A PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO CELEBRATE SPORTSMEN AND WOMEN
The President said that the holiday is a way for the nation to support the achievements of all other sportsmen and women and as a tribute to the resolve of a united nation. "I am declaring Friday, 15th December 2023 as a public holiday. We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sportsmen and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind," Ramaphosa said. He said that he knows that many South Africans were expecting a holiday now to celebrate the Springboks but that it should be agreed that matriculants should be given time to focus on their exams and celebrate afterwards. "I want us all to embark on a period of celebration culminating in a celebratory holiday after our matriculants have finished their exams," he said, adding that he wishes them the very best and that he's confident that they will make the country proud.
WELCOMING THE SPRINGBOKS TOMORROW
The President said that as the Springboks return home tomorrow, the country will welcome them with jubilation. He confirmed that the Boks will conduct a victory tour around the country and that he will receive them at the Union Buildings later this week. "I want us to now rally behind the Proteas in the same way as we have given our support to the Springboks," he said. The Proteas, the national cricket team, is currently playing at the Cricket World Cup hosted by India. "Proteas have done the country proud at the Cricket World Cup," he said.
TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENTS
In his 40-minute speech, the President used the time to talk about the government's achievements in the past 29 years. He said the government has made significant progress in reforming the economy to make it more inclusive and to achieve a higher rate of growth. "We are on track to resolve the most important constraints on economic growth by stabilising our energy supply and fixing our logistics network. On our way to rebuilding our economy, there are a number of strengths that stand us in good stead. We have a strong and sophisticated financial sector, a strong and effective civil society, a functional democracy, an independent judiciary, a stable macroeconomic framework underpinned by a capable National Treasury and an independent Reserve Bank," he said. Ramaphosa touched on the return of the rail transport system saying this would ease the load of South Africans spending more on petrol or taxis. "The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has to date restored operations on 26 out of 40 commuter rail corridors. To continue with the restoration of our commuter rail corridors, R50 billion will be spent over the next three years to modernise our passenger rail network," he said.
