Minister Marais' Speech at Voet van Afrika media launch

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPORT, ANROUX MARAIS

VOET VAN AFRIKA MEDIA LAUNCH

13 AUGUST 2019

Good evening, molweni nonke, goeienaand

It gives me great pleasure to be address you as sponsor partner for the 2019 Voet van Afrika Marathon at this special conference to build a new legacy for the next 40 years of sport development in the Overberg.

Esteemed as the toughest race with the warmest heart, the Voet van Afrika 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 as cultural heritage too is showcased.

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 Voet van Afrika 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 Voet van Afrika Marathon continues to 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. For this reason, we have financially supported the 41st edition with R100 000 and look forward to the increased participation of our MOD learners at the preceding Toontjie event.

On that note, I wish all participants well as they prepare for the race ahead and officially start the countdown at 60 days to shoot off on 12 October 2019.  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”.

I thank you