Parliament goes green and gold
26 October 2007With Rugby World Cup fever showing no signs of subsiding in South Africa, Parliament was painted green and gold on Wednesday in celebration of the Springboks' triumph.
Donning Springbok caps, scarves, jerseys and even - as hinted by one minister - underwear, it was clear that South Africa's Cabinet ministers were proud of the national team.
Even President Thabo Mbeki and his deputy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, got a touch of the rugby spirit and wore Springbok regalia.
Addressing journalists outside Parliament, government spokesperson Themba Maseko said he had not experienced such a positive spirit in Parliament before. "The unity we are seeing is unprecedented since [the country's first democratic elections] in 1994 and when the Springboks won in 1995.
"This is a great opportunity for South Africans to be united behind the Springboks and identify all the things that make us united as a nation."
As Cabinet went on with its work of the day at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, visuals of the Springboks' triumphant win in France were flashed across a big screen.
South Africa triumphed over defending champions English at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, winning the William Webb Ellis trophy for the second time.
Maseko said that Coach Jake White's future in South African rugby was an SA Rugby Federation Union matter. White's current contract ends in December.
"The views of the majority of South Africans are that Mr White should stay," Maseko added. "Jake White put together a winning team that has made all South Africans proud."
Coach for the Springboks for over 50 tests, White said on Tuesday that he would "like to take some time off, chat to my bosses and then make the right decision" about his future.
Even before the end of the World Cup, there was speculation that White had been linked to coaching positions in Wales, England, Australia and Argentina.
Source: BuaNews
