Yesterday, 16 July 2016, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, honoured the Olympians hailing from the Western Cape who were selected to represent South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.
[Note to editors: This extract is based on a speech delivered by Minister Anroux Marais during the send-off ceremony]
Filled with much pride, it gives me great pleasure to meet the athletes who will carry the national flag at the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
Today, I want to thank each one of you for making the positive decision to develop yourself through sport by seriously participating in your respective codes.
Because of your unwavering dedication, self-determination and excellence in sport, you have been selected to represent our country at the esteemed Olympic Games.
Of all 137 Olympians who make up Team SA, 30 hail from the Western Cape.
It is no small feat that you have been selected to represent our country at the 2016 Olympics. You are the crème de la crème of our country, our province and your communities. You are the beacons of inspiration for our youth and hope for all South Africans. History has shown time and again that sport has the ability to bring diverse groups of people together.
Through sport, we all feel a sense of belonging that is void of differing cultural backgrounds, mother tongues and even political affiliation. We are all South African unified by supporting one team, singing one national anthem and flying one flag. Time and again sport and recreation have proven to contribute to the social inclusion of our diverse population. This year, you will be that team we will we supporting, with whom we will be singing the national anthem and flying our flag with pride.
I congratulate each one of you and would like each one of you to come forward as we officially acknowledge you:
In the category of Aquatics:
Sebastien Rousseau, who is based in the USA, originally from Stellenbosch and his coach Cedric Finch from Parow
In Athletics:
Men’s marathon: Lungile Gongqa from Khayelitsha
Women: Justine Palframan and Dominque Scott, both from Stellenbosch
Men: Antonio Alkana from Parow and Rocco van Rooyen from Bellville.
Their Managers/Coaches are Paul Gorries and Pieter Lourens, both from Paarl
In Cycling
Women: Ashleigh Moolman- Pasio who is currently based in Europe with her Manager/Coach/Mechanics, Carl Pasio
In Football
Women
Roxanne Barker from Stellenbosch
Jermaine Seoposenwe, based in the USA but originally hailing from Mitchells Plain and
Leandra Smeda from Vredenburg
Their Managers/Coaches include Desiree Ellis from Hanover Park and Shilene Margaret Booysen from Malmesbury.
Men
Jody February from Strandfontein,
Rivaldo Coetzee from Kakamas
Abbubaker Mobara from Mitchells Plain
Tashreeq Morris from Mitchells Plain
In Rugby Sevens
Dylan Sage from Plumstead
Cheslin Kolbe from Kraaifontein
Justin Geduld also from Kraaifontein
Juan De Jongh from Stellenbosch and
Kyle Brown from Newlands
In Sailing:
Asenathi Jim from Green Point and Roger Hudson from Newlands.
Their Manager/Coach is Brevan Thompson from Claremont
Our Medical team includes:
Doctors: Karen Schwabe
Physiotherapists: Hugh Everson, Sandhya Silal
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the Western Cape Provincial Sport Confederation for their significant support provided to our athletes. Through their continued support and partnership with the Department, no athlete selected for Team SA will incur any personal costs for their participation at the games.
Ladies and gentlemen, before you, I introduce to you Team Western Cape who I am confident will bring the gold back home.
Stacy McLean
Spokesperson for Minister Anroux Marais
Email: Stacy.McLean@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 083 504 1171