This is a message I sent to my team of volunteers at the end of the 2010 Fifa World Cup

Great people,

Not so sure where to start. Whether to start with the funny part or the serious one. In any case, the most important thing is that we made it happen.

"Our struggle for freedom was a collective effort," Nelson Mandela.

 

In the same breath, I firmly believe our achievement in hosting what is arguably the best World Cup in history was a collective effort. In as much as most of you or us did not have time to reflect on the project during operations, I can assure you now that you were part of this country's and continent's history.

 

In part, you were one of the bolts and nuts in the machinery that saw the very first FIFA World Cup produce among others, these records:

- A debutant winner as Spain has never won the title before;
- The first ever European winner out of Europe as none of the European nations have ever won outside their coninent;
-  This World Cup produced the most unlucky finalists, Holland were appearing in their third World Cup and lost all of them;
- The most lucrative in the history of FIFA, this World Cup made twice more money that then highest earner in Germany;
- New Zealand were unbeaten with three (3) draws but went home after the first round in any way; They are the 6th team to do so?
- New Zealand earned their first point/ points ever in a World Cup, they lost all their games in 1982;

"As a consequence of the victories we have registered during our first ten years of freedom, we have laid a firm foundation for the new advances we must and will make during the next decade," Thabo Mbeki.

Clearly, this was not only an ambitious declaration by the author ten years ago but a visionary commitment to get the country working. It is amazing that a country that was at war with itself a mere 20 years ago has gone on to host among others the World Summit on Sustainable Development which mapped the way for what is today known as the green initiatives and alternatives;

Africa Cup of Nations, Pan African Parliament and the BIG 3 sports World Cups. Some of the biggest economies will only dream about the latter as only a handful of nations play competitive football (soccer), rugby and cricket with equal prowess. South Africa is one of those and you are part of that.

 

It was really a great pleasure and honour for me not to only work but to exchange ideas and thoughts with students, professionals and entrepreneurs of your calibre. Some of you might have not noticed your impact through deeds and views but it has come a long way.

I would like to wish all of you - young and old, black, white, coloured, Indian and otherwise - the very best in your private, professional and student lives. It is only through your efforts and commitment that I as an individual managed to achieve my personal and organisational targets.

I will forever cherish every single and collective moments we had, good or bad, for the next hundred years. If I at some point offended any of you, deliberate or unintentional, professionally or personally, please accept my humble and genuine apology. I can assure you that I never meant anything personal or malicious but all was in pursuit of perfection. The country was at war with dark enemies.

Any African failure is met with ululation in other parts of the world and none of us were prepared to offer that evil satisfaction to any of our detractors. We all know the negative comments that came from all over the world since May 15, 2004. But I am glad that you and I were part of the batalion that crushed all the doubt.

Now for the light moments.

 

Jaydon, can I please have a bottle of water from the Youth Programme Centre, I am thirsty; Dineo, please bring your old face cloth tomorrow, we need to get the YP seats clean (please respond with that big YES!); Monkwe, note that Budweiser can only be enjoyed after lunch, not from 9am buddy; Sunshyn, I am going to miss you so much, please invite me when you grad; Mmathapelo, if babalas was wealth, you'd be in Hawaai by now; Ntombi, Ndosi and Jules, you remain deserters, I hope you enjoy Protocol.

Mabandla, please tell one of your barman jokes, I enjoy them; Prince, bring us some milk please, those with weak bones can do with, they know themselves because they could hardly carry a pair of scissors; Mu and Brice, stick yo your day jobs, you are far from being perfect tsotsis; Brother Leader, we missed you most of the time, what happened?; Gundo, you are a good man.

 

Stay in touch guys.