Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that December 15, 2023, will be a public holiday. The declaration comes in the wake of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris, France.

According to South African Government News Agency, the public holiday aims to allow South Africans to celebrate the Springboks’ fourth world championship since the country transitioned to democracy. Although many in the nation are eager for immediate festivities, the holiday is scheduled to give matriculants an opportunity to complete their National Senior Certificate exams first.

The President explained that the newly declared public holiday will serve as a tribute to the achievements of South African sports teams and symbolize national unity. The Springboks are expected to return to South Africa on Tuesday, with a victory tour to follow. President Ramaphosa will receive the team at the Union Buildings later in the week.

In his address, the President also encouraged the nation to support the Proteas, South Africa’s cricket team, in the ongoing Cricket World Cup. Ramaphosa expressed his desire for the country to engage in a period of celebration, culminating in the public holiday on December 15, once the exams are concluded and the Proteas’ performance in the cricket championship is finalized.

Today marks the first day of the 2023 National Senior Certificate exams, which approximately one million students are taking. President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the students would make the nation proud through their hard work and dedication.

In urging the nation to draw inspiration from sports, Ramaphosa highlighted additional achievements in South African athletics. These include the victory of the national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their progression in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as the nation’s performance in the Special Olympics World Games held in Berlin in June.

The President cited the words of Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the unifying power of sports and the resilience of the nation in overcoming challenges such as apartheid and the recent global pandemic. He concluded that the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup win is deserving of national recognition and celebration.