Media Alert: Minister Marais Congratulates Western Cape World Champions | Western Cape Government

News

News

Media Alert: Minister Marais Congratulates Western Cape World Champions

27 August 2015

The Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais congratulates Wayde van Niekerk for winning the men’s 400m Final at the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing yesterday. Minister Marais also congratulates Peggy de Villiers from Somerset West who won five medals and broke two world records at the 2015 World Deaf Swimming Championships in San Antonio, Texas.

Both the Western Cape born athletes held South Africa in high esteem at the international sporting events. Van Niekerk is now the fourth-fastest man in history in the 400m race. De Villiers broke the 50m Butterfly World Record, went on to break her own record, and won gold in the final. She also set a new Deaf World Record in the 100m Butterfly.

Minister Marais said, “Hailing from the Western Cape, Wayde and Peggy have made the province proud and deserve the title of World Champions. They have displayed top level athletic excellence at international sporting events and undoubtedly serve as positive role models to not only the youth of Kraaifontein and Somerset West, but the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is extremely proud of their outstanding achievements and look forward to welcoming them home”. 

Media Enquiries: 

Stacy McLean
Spokesperson for Anroux Marais, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 083 504 1171
Email: Stacy.McLean@westerncape.gov.za