By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Amidst calls for a public holiday following South Africa’s historic win at the Rugby World Cup finals in France on Saturday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa says 15 December will be a public holiday, it will be a day of hope and a day of unity.
Ramaphosa’s address comes ahead of finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s medium-term budget policy statement.
The president had previously hinted at the possibility of announcing a public holiday should the Springboks lift the Webb Ellis trophy.
Many would be forgiven for thinking that he was purposefully avoiding the topic of a holiday, as he continued to update the country on various other topics, but not talking about what everyone was tuning in to hear.
Ramaphosa finally touched back on the issue of the holiday, saying that a holiday would be held after the matric exams were done so as to not distract those studying. He then declared that December 15 would officially be a public holiday.
He further called on South Africans to rally behind the Proteas, who are currently playing in the Cricket World Cup. Ramaphosa said he would also travel to Mumbai in India to watch the Proteas play in the final.
“We should also applaud our cricket team who have been performing well in the Cricket World Cup. I spoke to the Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and encouraged them to remain focused and told him that the entire nation supports and stands behind them. I also told him that I intend to travel to Mumbai in India to watch them play in the finals, “Ramaphosa said.
“As we confront the many severe challenges in our country, we draw hope and encouragement from the determination and the performance the Springboks and the Proteas have displayed.”
“The victory by the Springboks and the performance of the Proteas follows the victory of Banyana Banyana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their progress to the knockout stages of the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Ramaphosa.
In his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said, Springboks victory confirmed the enduring power of sport to unite and build a nation.
“The Springboks go down in history for having won the Rugby World Cup more than any other nation, but this alone is not what makes this an exceptional triumph.”
The president said the symbolism of the win is as significant as the great sporting achievements witnessed. He noted that of the squad that played in the past weekend’s final, just short of half were black players, including captain Siya Kolisi.
Meanwhile senior lecturer in Criminal and Procedural Law at the University of Pretoria Dr Llewelyn Curlewis says the president cannot unilaterally decide on a public holiday.
“Obviously, everybody is in ecstasy about the outcome of the Springboks and the promise of a public holiday. But it is impractical in any event because the matric pupils are writing their year-end exams, and it will be a conundrum if we allow a public holiday in the middle of exams.
“Although we are all eager to have such a public holiday, It is not going to happen immediately, the state president cannot unfortunately do such a thing unilaterally. Everybody must enjoy the moment, but forget about a public holiday, in any event, it is not in the interest of the economy of the country at large,” he said.
Curlewis explained there are several legislative hurdles that need to be cleared before a public holiday can be declared.
“From a constitutional point of view, public holidays must be considered by Parliament. It is the highest legislative authority and these things must be debated in Parliament. The various political parties must give their input, submissions must be made, and the public at large must participate.
“So any legislation including the setting of a new public holiday must go through a long legislative process.
“It is not an overnight decision, with all due respect to Ramaphosa I think he said it in the spare of the moment, maybe with a bit of twinkle in the eye.
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