Follow UsSouth Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was part of the huge crowd that had gathered at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to welcome the World Test Championship-winning Proteas team.
In the euphoric atmosphere shown on SuperSport, McKenzie was singing “Oh, Temba Bavuma” along with the Proteas fans at the airport.
When the team arrived, he was amongst the first to welcome them, and he took special attention to congratulate skipper Bavuma and coach Shakti Conrad, whom he called the best coach in the world.
“You know the difference with this team … Shukri Conrad is the best coach in the world, but one thing he did with this team is make them believe,” McKenzie said at the welcome ceremony.
McKenzie added in a euphoric tone that with this victory, Bavuma has brought hope to the diverse nations of South Africa, which can rally around the Proteas skipper. He even stated that the Proteas are following the footsteps of the South African rugby team Springboks, who have brought a lot of glory to the nation with World Cup wins.
“They don’t need motivation. We believed they were going to win. Conrad believed they were going to win and they believed they were going to win. It’s the recipe for where we are today,” the Sports Minister added.
“They say cometh the hour, cometh the man. Temba Bavuma rose at the right time. Temba means hope, and he brought hope to the nation.
“People should see themselves when they watch our national teams. White kids must see themselves. Coloured kids must see themselves. Black and Indian kids must see themselves. That is what the Proteas are doing here.
“They are following in the footsteps of the Springboks. We are a socially cohesive country; we are the rainbow nation. A black captain in Temba Bavuma and the children are singing his name, children from all creeds and colours.”
Earlier, the South Africa team had defeated Australia by five wickets to lift the WTC mace in London.