MEDIA STATEMENT: STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDING OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT ON THE NETBALL WORLD CUP 2023

The Presiding Officers of the Parliament of South Africa, the National Assembly Speaker, and the National Council of Provinces Chairperson, extend Parliament’s support and best wishes to the Proteas as they compete on home soil. Parliament also warmly welcomes the world to South Africa for the 2023 Netball World Cup.

Hosting the World Cup for the first time on the African continent marks a historic milestone for our country and the sport of netball. We commend Netball South Africa and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible. The competition, taking place from tomorrow, 28 July, until 6 August, will showcase the best of women’s netball, and we take great pride in providing a world-class stage for these athletes to shine.

The South African national team carries the hopes and pride of the nation, and we firmly believe in their skill, determination, and fighting spirit to succeed despite the challenging opposition in this tournament. Their commitment and sacrifice in preparing for this event are admirable, and we are eager to witness them embrace the opportunity and thrill us all.

We call on all South Africans to rally behind our national team and create an electric atmosphere during the matches. Let our stadiums be filled with vibrant displays of support. We encourage all fans attending these matches to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and celebrate our shared love for netball.

The Netball World Cup presents a unique opportunity for us to unite through a common purpose. As we host 16 outstanding teams, we strengthen friendships and understanding across borders. Together, we can inspire future generations of netball stars.

In a show of support for our team, National Assembly Speaker, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, will attend the opening match tomorrow. Additionally, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, and Culture, Ms. Beauty Dlulane, and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Ms. Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, will host 66 girls who are amateur netball players from Sophiatown in Parliament as part of celebrating this historic netball event.

We wish the Proteas and all participating teams the very best. May this be an unforgettable World Cup that not only advances netball across Africa and the world but also fosters lasting camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Source: Parliament of South Africa