Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has wished the three-time world champions, the Springboks, well as they participate in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"On behalf of all South Africans, I would like to wish the Bokke all the best in the World Cup. Do your best and make us proud. Bring it back Bokke!" Kodwa said.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins on Friday, with the Springboks playing their first game on Sunday against Scotland. The World Cup fixtures runs from Friday 8 September to Saturday 28 October.
"The Springboks represent the best of South Africa. They inspire national unity, and foster social cohesion and national identity. This was captured by President Nelson Mandela during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where the Springboks were a key ingredient to his message of national unity.
"The current Springboks represent this country's diversity and represent South African excellence with their performances," the Minister said.
He made these remarks during a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday.
Earlier this week, SuperSport announced a failure to reach an agreement with the SABC on the broadcast rights to the tournament.
"This week began with much concern that most of the country would be unable to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup on SABC channels. This followed an impasse in negotiations between SABC and MultiChoice on broadcast rights for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"On Monday, I had a discussion with the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, and met with senior executives of the SABC, urging the public broadcaster to find a solution to this impasse with MultiChoice.
"I had made it clear that my interest in this matter was for all South Africans to have access to sport of national interest. I had also made clear the need to find a permanent solution to this matter, as this goes beyond rugby. All South Africans need to be able to watch our sports teams performing on international platforms," the Minister said.
MultiChoice and the SABC reached an agreement on the matter on Thursday.
"Yesterday's developments, where MultiChoice agreed to sub-license broadcast rights to the SABC for the 2023 Rugby World Cup means that millions of South Africans will be able to watch this global showpiece, and to see the Springboks go on to defend their world title.
"I reiterate my call for a permanent solution to be found, as we cannot find ourselves in this situation before major sporting events," Kodwa said.
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School Sport Indaba
The Minister announced that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will host a School Sports Indaba next Thursday and Friday.
"The aim of this Indaba is to establish a national sports programme for South Africa that is benchmarked against the world's most effective school sports programmes.
"One of the priorities of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is grassroots sports development. The School Sports Indaba will go a long way towards strengthening our focus grassroots sports development through early identification and nurturing of sporting talent.
"The Sports Indaba will see over 30 organisations, as well as teacher unions, sports federations, international bodies and governments gather to exchange and come up with a blueprint for South African schools sport," Kodwa said.
