Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has sent a warm welcome to the international soccer fans currently in the country for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
"South Africa is honoured to welcome visitors from all parts of the world to South Africa and to Africa," said the President, opening the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extra Ordinary Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday.
President Zuma presided over the meeting as he is the current Chairperson of SADC.
He further thanked the African leaders for their support in hosting an event of such magnitude, saying that the benefits would be felt by the entire region.
"It is our fervent wish that those who visit our shores to watch both the Confeds Cup and the FIFA World Cup in 2010 will explore the exciting experience that the entire SADC region has to offer," said President Zuma.
He said for countries of the region, SADC served as the principal vehicle of the achievement of further development and deeper integration as outlined at the level of African Union.
"Thus, our individual futures are inextricably linked to that of our neigbours and to the future of our continent," he said.
Bafana Bafana is through to the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals, despite losing 2-nil to Spain in their last group A match in Free State Stadium last night.
