In a Monday speech to the people, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa announced the creation of an additional national holiday in honour of the nation’s victory in the Rugby World Cup.
“In celebration of the Springboks momentous achievement, and all our other sportsmen and women, I’m declaring Friday the 15th of December as a public holiday,” said Ramaphosa.
After defeating their oldest rivals, New Zealand, in a thrilling 12-11 victory on Saturday, South Africa secured a record-tying fourth Rugby World Cup victory.
In addition to numerous other sporting triumphs, Ramaphosa praised their performance in the World Cup of Cricket and that of the Proteas.
The president echoed the Boks’ motto, “Stronger together,” by stating that these have brought the country together.
In a nation beset by an oil crisis, rampant crime, skyrocketing unemployment, and financial disparity, the Boks have become an uncommon symbol of solidarity.
Ecstatic fans, who had hoped for a holiday on Monday to bask in the victory of their rugby heroes, will have to wait more than a month to get their wish.
“I know many of us would like to have the holiday now. But we should all agree to give our students time to concentrate on their exams and celebrate afterwards,” he added.
Students in their final year of education started their final exams on Monday. The academic year in South Africa concludes in December.
On Tuesday, the Boks will return to South Africa, where they will be greeted as heroes with parades in several of the nation’s cities.
Ramaphosa gave a brief update to the public on the status of the nation’s economic recovery after praising its sports teams.
This featured progress in combating persistent power shortages, preventing crime, and implementing more extensive economic change.
