It is a message that Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has been sending out to the world for the past two months, and he has now addressed it to Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa.
His message is to “Embrace the diversity of the country,” to put it briefly.
The Springboks are the world champions because of this.
The message was not fully understood by the global media corps.
At a public presentation on Thursday at the Pretoria union buildings, Kolisi gave a more direct version of the same message. This is the beginning of a four-day triumph parade during which they will transport the Webb Ellis Cup to other cities.
Kolisi urged President Ramaphosa to emulate the inclusive attitude exhibited by the Boks during their triumphant World Cup campaign.
He expressed gratitude to the President, the members of his cabinet, and “most importantly,” the South African people for their support.
In his public speech, the captain of the British team stated, “We are where we are today because of you, the people. That is why we chose to dedicate this World Cup to you, the people.”
He talked about how South Africans are resilient and have a “never-say-die” mentality.
He said, “The other countries don’t understand,” which is a common refrain throughout the World Cup.
“You cannot comprehend the struggles people in this country face unless you are a South African.”
Then the decisive moment arrived, along with his potent message to the President.
He declared, “As a team, we are very diverse,” and continued, “In South Africa, diversity is our strength.”
“We need to make better use of our diversity, Mr. President and the cabinet. I want to encourage you both.”
We have access to a potent force that many other nations lack: ours.
We view life differently because we come from diverse origins and places.
The more we give back to South Africa, the more we prioritize and labor for the country.
“That is the main goal of everything I do, and as a team of players, that is what we accomplished.
“That’s useful in the nation.”
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On Thursday, the first day of their four-day trophy tour, hundreds rugby spectators cheered the World Cup-winning Springboks in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Soweto.
In a thrilling Final last Saturday in Paris, South Africa defeated longtime rivals New Zealand 12–11 to win a record fourth World Cup and their second consecutively.
While others, both elderly and young, held South African flags and yellow placards that said “thank you Bokke [Springboks],” youngsters in school uniforms danced in Soweto, waiting for the yellow and green open-top bus that would transport the players.
Dined Malise, 49, left his house a few hours ahead of the team’s planned arrival, dressed in a green and gold t-shirt, in order to secure a good location along the route.
She said, “I’m so proud about my Bokke [Springboks], especially my captain,” and then joyfully let out a joyful “Viva Bokke, Viva!”
As the players cycled down one of Soweto’s main avenues, holding the Webb Ellis Cup in front of them and donning yellow t-shirts bearing the team’s motto, “Stronger Together,” supporters let out a loud applause.
“Into mythology”
The squad started its victory trip earlier that day in Pretoria, where President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the athletes for bringing a divided nation together.
“You walked off the victory pitch on Saturday and entered legend,” remarked Ramaphosa, who this week announced a national holiday on December 15 to commemorate the victory.
“By doing this, you have raised the national consciousness and given us a sense of pride.”
Kolisi, 32, has played a significant role in introducing many young, black South Africans to the sport in recent years.
After their 2019 victory, the Springboks made their way through Soweto as well. According to 43-year-old local Lindiwe Mkhize, “they were not a thing here.”
Soweto, home of the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, two of the largest soccer teams in South Africa, has long been known as the round ball’s domain.
However, Mkhize, a teacher, noted that rugby “is getting more popular by the day” and expressed her hope that the team’s visit will be followed by investments in rugby infrastructure to support local kids in pursuing their goals and dispel the myth that “rugby is not for us as Black people”.
The most recent achievement brought happiness to a country that the World Bank continues to label as the most unequal in the world, one that struggles with issues of unemployment, crime, and access to clean water and energy.
“We’re not happy, but the Boks help us temporarily forget that…” Many people still live in poverty and go hungry in this area, according to Mokgako.
The Springboks are scheduled to visit East London on Sunday, Durban on Saturday, and Cape Town on Friday.
“Despite all of our difficulties, there is always cause for hope and optimism, as the Springboks’ performance has reminded us,” stated Ramaphosa.
