President Thabo Mbeki called on Monday for good leadership in South African soccer.
Mbeki was speaking at the laying of the foundation stone of the new headquarters of the South African Football Association (Safa) at the FNB Stadium.
”Let us have a place where we can work and have good leadership. It’s about time we had the home of South African football.
”I would even begin to ask myself why it took so long,” Mbeki said.
Among those present were Fifa president Sepp Blatter and South African soccer heavyweights such as Irvin Khoza, Molefi Oliphant and Danny Jordaan.
Mbeki said soccer is central to South Africa’s life and future, and is ”a sport of the people”.
Meanwhile, Blatter reminded South Africa that as the World Cup 2010 approaches, the ”world would soon focus all of its attention on Africa”.
”For democracy, it is wonderful to see how football can unite people,” he said.
Safa boss Molefi Oliphant said the event is the most momentous in the history of South African soccer.
Oliphant said: ”We have been looking at this project for a long time. We are grateful to Fifa for all the support. This is truly a defining moment for South African soccer.”
During the ceremony, Mbeki and Blatter were handed spades as souvenirs.
Also present were Gauteng sport minister Barbara Creecy and Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa. — Sapa