By Nangamso Mabindla
23 March 2004

Buffalo City's residents turned out in full force to celebrate the opening of the 2nd South Africa Games held in East London on Monday night.

The ABSA Stadium, in Southernwood, was bedecked with colourful flags and banners and not even the occasional light rainfall could dampen the festivities. And the rich diversity of the Eastern Cape's cultures was on display for all to see - with traditional dancers, like the Imbo Traditional Dance Group, and Scottish bagpipe players enthralling the spectators.

During the ceremony the participating provincial teams marched on to the pitch, lead by a horse and team banner.

Master of Ceremonies, the flamboyant Kaiser Chiefs communications manager Putco Mafani kept the crowd, which included Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, Minister of Sport Ngconde Balfour, Eastern Cape Premier Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile and Buffalo City Executive Mayor Sindisile Maclean, dancing and stamping and shouting their support for the different groups of performers.

Following the displays, it was time for the mayor to welcome all the guests to Buffalo City. Councillor Maclean said he was happy to have the honour of welcoming everyone and was pleased to see how supportive the citizens of Buffalo City were of the games. "We hope these SA Games will produce some of the best talent in the country; we're happy to be the host city."

He added: "You are all welcomed in Buffalo City and I hope you enjoy your stay in this friendly city." The mayor also asked people for understanding of any inconvenience they may encounter during the games. "It is common in occasions like these to be inconvenienced. Please bear with us."

Then it was the chance of the Minister of Sport to address the crowd. "With events like the SA Games, we really do intend to produce tomorrow's stars. These are our future Olympians; some of these youngsters will represent us in Beijing in 2008," Balfour said.

The Eastern Cape premier added that it was good to see all the colours of the rainbow being represented in the participating teams. "This shows we are headed in the right direction. You are all welcome in the friendly province of the Eastern Cape," said Stofile.

The deputy president, who was the guest speaker of the evening, said the games should be used as a vehicle to identify talent so that the country could excel in sports. "Let us make sure these games achieve their goals - to produce some of the finest talent the country can offer," said Zuma.

After the speeches the games were officially declared opened, with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky. Let the games begin.