Speech by Ace Ntsoelengoe at a Gala Dinner organised in his honour.

MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Mr Mondli Gungubele, Consul General David Dunn from the Embassy of the United States of America

Chairman of the SA Bid Committee Mr Irvin Khoza


Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs Mr Kaizer Motaung


Safa Executive Committee member Mr David Nhlabathi


Executive Mayors present


Municipal Managers present


Ladies and Gentlemen of the media


Distinguished guests from the private sector and government


My dearest family and wife Thato


Programme Director

I am humbled to be honoured in this fashion by my people, my community and former colleagues in the game of soccer.

I would like to say this is a bomb to be appreciated by your country in this fashion. This makes me proud to be esteemed in this way.

The mayor of Mogale City Lentswe Mokgatle has shown bold leadership by making sure that my induction in the US National Soccer Hall of Fame does not take place unnoticed. I just want to say to him this has been very special. It is a special send-off for me and greatly appreciated.

I welcome the gestures of other mayors to join in with Mayor Mokgatle to honour me as a citizen of the West Rand. It was heartening to see young players compete in a knock-out challenge named after me this past Saturday. What an honour to be lifted up in that manner.

I just wanted to thank Kaizer Motaung for paving the way in the formidable years of my career to play in the US. I appreciate you Mr Khoza for the kind words you said tonight. Your leadership in the South African Bid to host the 2010 soccer World Cup is noted. Your hard work shall pay off when the vote is given to our country.

My induction in the US National Soccer Hall of Fame present to me a challenge that I still have much to contribute in South African soccer. Our bidding for the 2010 soccer World Cup calls us to work together and make sure that we are prepared and have good soccer players that will represent us in this prestigious tournament.

It is at the development level that we can unearth talent that we can showcase at the World Cup. Young people should not lose heart but just focus and follow their dreams. I want to say dreams to come true after they have put passion, excellence and dedication in their trade of chosen profession.

At this moment, I just want to express my deepest appreciation to the team that has been working tirelessly in arranging for all the events to honour me. You have done it guys.

In the same breath, I want to say thank you to my wife Thato for being there for me through thick and thin. She is my best friend for life. I love you darling. This honour is also for you.

My in-laws and parents, thank you for giving me the space to follow my dreams and achieve them whilst I am still alive. You started this whole journey by giving birth to Thato and I. This honour belongs to you.

When I am in the US receiving and witnessing my induction, I can then stand proudly to be South African because of this home-based honour. We are a country with possibilities.

In fact, Mogale City has proven that no one in South Africa lives outside of a municipal boundaries. Thank you Mogale city for being such a warm municipality and a city.

Now, I understand what it means to be South African. I now can proudly say that I am from the West Rand. A place still to be discovered by tourists local and international. When visitors come after my induction in the US, it will be because I am now an Ambassador of the West Rand.

I am truly honoured by all your warm wishes and thoughts especially after having been a soccer player for more than 20 years. It is fulfilling to be honoured also by my colleagues from Kaizer Chiefs.

Mr Khoza, perhaps it is true that once a Pirate always a Kaizer Chiefs even if unconfessed. In fact Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have become institutions in the world of soccer. These teams are historical monuments of soccer in South Africa. I am today honoured because of these formidable teams.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a night to remember. I shall cherish it forever. Mayor Mokgatle and other mayors of the West Rand, I respect you for this honour. Miotaung and Khoza, thanks for your support – this is sweet. All the guys from Safa – let us build the sport for 2010 and beyond. This is our opportunity to bring it home. Let us seize the moment. Let us forget our differences and build this nation through sports especially soccer.

I thank you.