Pretoria - Former Local Organising Committee boss Danny Jordaan became the first recipient of the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award for his exemplary contribution to the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The award was presented to Jordaan at a gala dinner at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town, on Wednesday.
The FW de Klerk Goodwill Award was established last year by the board of the FW de Klerk Foundation in the spirit of de Klerk's continuing commitment to national unity, and to give recognition to people who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of unity, diversity and goodwill between South Africans.
The FW de Klerk Foundation decided to present the 2011 award to Jordaan for his contributions to national goodwill through his work and leadership as head of the LOC of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
South Africa's highly successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup is revered as one of the major national events that have done much to unite the nation since 1994.
The foundation said under Jordaan's leadership, South Africans from the public, private and non-governmental sectors worked together on an unprecedented scale to ensure the success of the event.
South Africans united enthusiastically behind the national team, Bafana Bafana, and manifested goodwill and national solidarity throughout the competition in the stadia, on the fan walks and in the crowds that gathered everywhere to watch the event.
"Jordaan's successful planning and management of the event helped South Africans to show that we can compete with the very best in the international arena. The event also enabled us to introduce the world to our world class infrastructure, our natural beauty, and warmth and hospitality of our people.
"We wish to honour Jordaan for the key part he played in helping to show South Africans and the world the brilliant, multi-faceted nation we can become if we all unite behind a worthy vision and work together in a spirit of goodwill and national unity," said the foundation.
