Welcome. First, let me wish my compatriots from America’s National Basketball Association a rewarding and memorable visit to South Africa. This is the second time I’ve lived in this country, and I can tell you that it is easy to fall in love with this place and its people and to keep on coming back.
Secondly, let me say to those who live here, that I’m extremely pleased to see you here today. I love your enthusiasm and local talent. Today involves a variety of activities:
We at the US Embassy feel that it is a privilege to help support this Sports and HIV/AIDS Awareness event.
It’s always exciting when famous people we’ve heard on radio and seen in newspapers and on television visit South Africa personally. Many celebrities are attracted to South Africa’s top tourist resorts. After all, who can resist the bush, beaches and world famous oceans surrounding this gorgeous country? Few places in the world can compare to the incredible weather South Africa enjoys all year long. The mild seasons here make South Africa an ideal place for sports enthusiasts.
That is why I believe that one week after springtime began in the southern hemisphere, Soweto, South Africa, is the perfect place to be hosting well-known sports stars from Africa and America.
The American National Basketball Association (NBA)’s Basketball Without Borders Africa players have two reasons for being in Soweto, South Africa, today:
1) They have the best basketball players and coaches in the world, and<
2) They care about other people. I mean REALLY care.
Here’s proof: They have combined their talents and resources to improve two basketball courts this year, right here at Moletsane. They are spending a few days, like today, playing basketball with some of the local young people. Since 2003, the NBA has been coming to this part of the world with promising young players from across Africa for a five-day basketball training and exhibition camp. That is why Bob Lanier, Dikembe Mutombo and their colleagues are here.
These well-known athletes don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.
How?
Let’s think about what it takes to become one of the top athletes in the world.
These guys didn’t just wake up one morning and think, “Today, I’m going to become a professional basketball player.” Becoming a successful athlete is not a matter of simply hoping you can make it to the big league. It’s a matter of
Every star here has invested lots of time to prepare their bodies and minds and to acquire the strength, endurance and intelligence to compete successfully on the basketball court. Every athlete here has an individual training routine. Each and every player has spent years running, jumping, lifting weights and learning to anticipate every move that could occur during a basketball game.
That is the type of determination and follow through that is required to retain the mental and physical condition that you need to compete in big time basketball. They have to keep their bodies HEALTHY…in top shape…to remain in the game to which they’ve devoted their lives.
But these athletes also care about other people, as I said earlier. In addition to teaching others about their sport, they like to get involved in supporting community outreach activities. They are concerned about what HIV/AIDS is doing to people in Africa and, specifically, South Africa. The theme of this program is “HIV/AIDS Awareness” and the slogan for today’s gathering in Soweto is “GET INFORMED! OUTSMART AIDS”!
So please realize that while the basketball celebrities are sharing their special skills with you in Soweto today, they are also asking you to pay attention to life-saving messages about HOW TO BE HEALTHY YOURSELVES.
You can set your personal goal today to stay healthy. Then attain your goal by practicing those behaviors that are good for you and avoiding those that risk losing your health.
Millions of South Africans already have HIV/AIDS; they need support and care, not condemnation and discrimination. Stop by some of the exhibits you see here today featuring Engender Health, Hope WorldWide, HIVSA, Mindset and many others. Pick up literature and talk to the staff of these organizations. They are experts who can help you learn the best ways of dealing with people with AIDS, as well as keeping yourself healthy and AIDS-free.
Know what your HIV/AIDS status is and act responsibly towards yourself and others.
Be careful.
Avoid careless habits and practices that can cause you to get or spread HIV/AIDS.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause you to compromise your standards and to do things that you would ordinarily never do. Other substances can also cause you to lose your l inhibitions and lose your ability to control your choices.
Such carelessness can cost you EVERYTHING—starting with your health. Choose to be safe and STAY HEALTHY.
NBA legend, Bob Lanier, put it very well last year when he said:
“Test your HIV status regularly. Knowing your status lets you know how to live your life and it prevents you from being re-infected….it is important to know how it is spread and how to protect yourself….those who are married, be faithful to your partners and those [singles] who are sexually active must use a condom at all times.”
Bob and friends are here again this year to reinforce this important message.
In the same way that the sports stars have committed themselves to daily exercise to stay fit enough to be called professional athletes, please, won’t you use the same approach? Commit to exposing your minds and bodies to things that are healthy so you can get informed about AIDS and outsmart the disease.
The U.S. Embassy sponsors many HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support programs in South Africa through U.S. President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Our partners include the organizations that have set up exhibitions here today, the South African government, businesses and civil society agencies. We all unite to assist South Africans to cope with AIDS, especially by practicing those actions that can prevent it in the first place.
Thank you. Enjoy the rest of this fun-filled day. I certainly intend to do so.
END
For further information, please contact Reverie Zurba at (012) 452 2000
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