President Jacob Zuma visits Maropeng for African Women’s Championship gala dinner

By Bianca Bothma

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane (right) arriving for the CAF dinner

As the sun set over the Cradle of Humankind on Saturday evening, a red carpet was rolled out to welcome President Jacob Zuma and other dignitaries to Maropeng for a dinner to honour the 7th Confederation of African Football Women’s Championship which kicked off in Johannesburg today.

The championship will see teams from all over the continent playing against each other for a place in the 2012 Fifa Women’s Football World Cup.

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana played Tanzania in the opening match today, beating them 2-1 in an exciting match. The final goal was scored in the last moments of the game.

Maropeng was beautifully decorated for the dinner

The gala dinner was hosted by the Gauteng premier’s office and the Premier Nomvula Mokonyane gave the guests who were from all over the continent a warm welcome: “We’re here to celebrate the gathering of Africa. Tonight we dine on the land of our ancestors. Your origins are here, welcome home!”

It was Sombo Izetla Wesley of Liberia’s first visit to Maropeng, even though she has visited South Africa on many occasions for football events, “The people of Gauteng are very friendly,” she said at the dinner, adding, “I always feel very welcomed by the football family.”

South African President Jacob Zuma was the official guest speaker for the evening and in his opening address he urged South Africans to get behind the tournament because of its potential for influencing social change. “Supporting this event will help us to encourage women in soccer and stop the stereotype that soccer is a sport for men only. Through this tournament, we can show women as role models which shows young girls that they can achieve whatever they want.”

It was Zuma’s first visit to Maropeng, which is the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind.

Guests from all over the continent arrived in fine evening wear and many South African dignitaries were also in attendance. Some of these included past South African Football Association President Molefi Olifant, past CEO of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee Danny Jordaan and Kass Naidoo, the well-known South African sports commentator, who was the master of ceremonies for the evening.

The dinner was an opportunity for Gauteng to showcase its finest tourism attraction. Gauteng’s MEC for Sports, Art and Culture, Nelisiwa Moerane, said that Maropeng was her favourite attraction in the province and she often visited it with her family. “I love coming to Maropeng for its tranquility and the fact that it’s our origin. It’s where we come from.”

Nomsa Mahlangu, chairperson of the organising committee of the African Women’s Championship, said similarly, “I love Maropeng because it’s where I go to connect with where I come from, so it has a lot of meaning for me.” Mahlangu said another of her favourite attractions in Gauteng was Vilakazi Street in Soweto, where she likes to visit former President Nelson Mandela’s old house. “I always feel emotional when I go there; it brings out a lot of things in me.”

Gauteng’s MEC for Economic Development Firoz Cachalia

Tourism is an important revenue-generator for the province as Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Firoz Cachalia explained: “We know the sector creates jobs and after the success of the World Cup there is huge uncapped potential in this sector. Now is our strategic moment to grow this opportunity and this facility [Maropeng] is an ideal example of how we can do this.”

Maropeng’s General Manager Erica Jago agreed that hosting events of this significance are beneficial for Maropeng. “Hopefully they’ll all go home and talk about this place. It’s also another means of spreading the word that every person needs to come here to understand where we as human beings come from.”

Kass Naidoo said after the event: “It was wonderful to be in Maropeng to welcome the 7th African Women Championship to South Africa. Such history! I will go back soon!”
Zuma ended his address with words to inspire the future of the continent, “The world is looking to see what else can come out of Africa. Let us show them our country and continent – the best that we have once again – as we did over the World Cup.”

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane welcoming the guests

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and South African President Jacob Zuma