Minister Anroux Marais' speech at the Foot of Africa Marathon dinner address

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPORT, ANROUX MARAIS

FOOT OF AFRICA MARATHON DINNER ADDRESS

12 OCTOBER 2018

Good evening, molweni nonke, goeienaand

It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the 2018 Foot of Africa Marathon and to share in the celebration of its significant 40th anniversary this weekend.

Esteemed as the toughest race with the warmest heart, the 40th Foot of Africa Marathon will see entrants participating in the 42.2, 21.1, 10km and 4km fun walk through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery that includes more rural parts of the historical town of Bredasdorp, which is always a bonus.

Key to our work at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is the realisation of our vision of a socially inclusive, active and connected Western Cape. We wholeheartedly thank each individual who had a hand in the success and progress of the Foot of Africa Marathon over the years as it has indeed contributed to our mission of encouraging excellence and inclusivity through sport in the province.

Major sporting events of this nature offer a platform for positive role models for our youth to aspire to and showcases the diversity of the province as the national sporting destination. The 40th Foot of Africa Marathon will also boost economic growth and job creation in the district, which is much needed to open greater opportunities for all who calls it home.

The Western Cape Government is confident that the 2018 Foot of Africa Marathon will be nothing short of a world class event and will further develop the code as a professional and recreational activity for years to come.

On that note, I wish all participants well ahead of the race this weekend and welcome visitors to take the opportunity to experience all the splendour Bredasdorp and greater Western Cape has to offer. Remember as Noel Carroll once said, “If people were possessed by reason, running marathons would never work. But we are not creatures of reason. We are creatures of passion”. Live out that passion and enjoy every minute of it.

I thank you.