SA 'proves detractors wrong'
2004-12-24 08:53
Johannesburg - South Africa had proved its detractors wrong in achieving the milestone of ten years of democracy, President Thabo Mbeki said on Thursday in an address described by SABC radio news as his Christmas message.
Speaking at an undisclosed venue, Mbeki also reflected on the achievements of South Africa and its people in the past year.
"All of us were very pleased and inspired by the tribute the international community paid to our country by awarding us the possibility to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup as well as the Pan African Parliament," Mbeki told the SABC.
"We also rejoiced that so many of our compatriots were also identified by the world community as high achievers," he said.
Mbeki singled out author JM Coetzee, who won the Nobel Prize for literature, actress Charlize Theron, awarded a motion-picture Oscar, and National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, elected president of Interpol, the international police federation.
Mbeki also recognised former environment and tourism minister Valli Moosa, elected as president of the World Conservation Union, and Dr William Rowland, as president of the World Blind Union.
- SAPA