Remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at a meeting with the South African Special Olympics Team, Union Buildings, Tshwane

Programme Director,
Minister and Deputy Ministers,
Premier of Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi,
Chairperson of the Special Olympics of South Africa, Dr Mathews Phosa,
CEO of the Special Olympics of South Africa, Ms Ancilla Smith,
Members of the Special Olympics of South Africa Board,
Coaching and support staff,
Athletes, 

It is a very special honour and pleasure for me to welcome Team South Africa to the Union Buildings. 

This may be the seat of government but it is also the home of champions like yourselves. 

We have had the pleasure of hosting a number of national teams here as part of our celebration of outstanding achievements by athletes in various sporting codes. 

The 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games which took place in Berlin, Germany, in June focused the attention of the world on the abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities. 

We are extremely proud that Team South Africa competed and achieved so well as individual competitors and teams. 

Competing against 7,000 athletes from over 180 countries they returned with 22 Gold, 20 Silver and 7 Bronze medals. 

Their dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to their sport have not only brought glory to our nation but have also shattered the barriers that once confined them.

And we are proud that Team South Africa flew the flag for social inclusion and the advancement of human rights, which are a hallmark of the nation we have built during nearly 30 years of freedom. 

South Africa is honoured to be one of the first countries to support the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of our society.

Team South Africa are heroes we can look up to and be inspired by in athletic arenas and in every walk of life in our country. 

And then there is a very important member of Team South Africa who has also visited the winners’ podium. 

Dr Mathews Phosa, Chairperson of Special Olympics South Africa, was honoured recently at the 19th Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference in Addis Ababa. 

The African region recognised the Chairperson for his many years of service to the Special Olympics movement and for hosting the leadership conference in South Africa for 17 years in South Africa. 

With such a hard-working and distinguished captain at the helm of Special Olympics South Africa we can only expect even greater things from Team South Africa. 

Our flag is currently flying at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the Rugby World Cup and we all know the Proteas and Springboks will draw inspiration from your achievements in Berlin. 

Our success in the Special Olympics shows what happens when government and civil society – represented here by Special Olympics South Africa – work together to ensure that we leave no-one behind. 

And it is your success in Berlin that has brought you to the Union Buildings today, where all of us are excited to meet our stars in person and to celebrate. 

May our commitment to inclusion as a nation shine as brightly as the achievements of our Special Olympics Team.

I thank you.