South African President Declares Extra Public Holiday to Celebrate Rugby World Cup Triumph.
In a momentous announcement during a nationwide address on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa proclaimed an additional public holiday to commemorate the country’s remarkable victory in the Rugby World Cup. The newly declared public holiday, slated for Friday, the 15th of December, comes as a tribute to the Springboks’ historic win and the collective achievements of South African athletes.
South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, clinched their fourth Rugby World Cup championship in dramatic fashion, narrowly edging out archrivals New Zealand by a score of 12-11 in a heart-pounding final.
President Ramaphosa commended the extraordinary performances of South African athletes, highlighting the Springboks’ historic win in the Rugby World Cup and the endeavors of the Proteas in the Cricket World Cup, among numerous other victories in the sporting arena. These triumphs have played a pivotal role in fostering national unity, echoing the motto of the Springboks, “Stronger Together.”
The Springboks have emerged as a rare symbol of unity in a country grappling with an array of challenges, including energy crises, high crime rates, soaring unemployment, and economic inequality. While jubilant fans had hoped for an immediate holiday to revel in the rugby heroes’ glory, they must wait for more than a month before the extra day off.
“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,” President Ramaphosa emphasized. South Africa’s academic year concludes in December, with students in their final year of schooling currently engaged in their crucial exams.
The triumphant Springboks are set to return to South Africa on Tuesday, where they will be greeted with exuberant celebrations and parades planned in multiple cities across the nation.
Shifting his focus to broader matters, President Ramaphosa provided the nation with an update on the progress being made in South Africa’s economic recovery. This encompassed developments aimed at addressing persistent power outages, combatting rising crime rates, and initiating comprehensive economic reforms to steer the nation toward prosperity.
