The Importance Of Sport In South Africa

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Sport in The Oxford English Dictionary ( Oxford University, 2005 ) is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which a person or team competes against another or others for enjoyment. According to Mashao Mohale ( 2012 ) Sport can build a nation, in South Africa sport carries the hope for unity and cohesion.
Kofi Annan ( 2012 ) stated that: "Sport is a universal language. At its best it can bring people together, no matter what their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status." , this is true as can be seen with sporting events such as world cups, Olympics, derbies, etc. Sport can unify people of all races and genders by bring them together to support their nation, team, etc. All differences are pushed aside during this time and people come together as one.
"People from carious racial, social and economic backgrounds were undeniably caught up in the celebratory mood." ( Mohale, 2012 ). Supporters came together waving the South African flag. It brought back the past memories of South Africa's victories which also brought many people together.
The UN ( 2012 ) discovered that, Sport programs and activities in schools helped children that enrolled and attended the school sports improve their academics. It also provided alternative learning and education for those less fortunate and unable …show more content…

that sport plays an important role in promoting nation building, social cohesion and a healthy lifestyle."(Rabotapi,2013) Sport is vital in South Africa as it brings the nation together as when we saw in 1995 during the Rugby World Cup final, this was the first time in South African past where blacks and whites, people of all races, filled the stadium to watch our team face the All Blacks( New Zealand)... where we won ( Mohale,2012 ). This was one key factor that helped South Africa in dealing with apartheid it gave the nation hope because all could see the potential unification of South Africa and the strength or power it gave as a

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