On Tuesday morning, the South African Olympians returned home to a warm welcome from their South African fans. The arrivals gate at OR Tambo international airport was filled with people on both floors – wearing South African regalia or carrying boards welcoming our heroes back.
Welcoming back the South African Olympic athletes at OR Tambo international #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/9ORNrubZom
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
The crowd was brimming with excitement – and of course the hoots of vuvuzelas. Young South Africans were particularly excited to catch a glimpse of the sporting celebrities.
“I’m most excited to see Caster!” #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/783XkoxGYq
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
It was not long before the crowd broke out into song.
Vibe at OR Tambo International welcoming back SA’s athletes #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/5nr4hPqpdT
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
There was also a lot of posing for group shots. The morning was for celebrating – the returning heroes, but also for the collective identity of South Africans.
Even some corporate advertising found its way into the fold – we see you Peermont!
But above all, it seems most were there to see Caster Semenya.
“If we see Caster we’re gonna shout: “Well done! You’ve made SA proud” #teamSArise #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/SQ9XUJtXT7
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
And soon the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) officials along with some of SA’s celebrities – like Miss SA 2016, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene – took the stage to greet our Olympians as they arrived.
And the crowd erupted when they finally did…
SA medalists arrive – crowd goes wild for @caster800m #teamSArise #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/ePE603xr4d
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
A loud chant for Caster echoed as she made her way onto the stage. The medalists posed as the crowd cheered.
After the crowd settled down and the athletes were formally welcomed to the ceremony, the national anthem was sung.
National Anthem by all in the airport #teamSArise #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/VK5COXoSRw
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
After some speeches by SASCOC officials, Razzmatazz himself, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the audience to thank everyone from Team SA individually. He added that Wayde van Niekerk was not there as he was participating in the Diamond League directly following the Olympics. He gave a special shoutout to Caster.
Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula speaking directly on @caster800m and her courage #teamSArise #Rio2016 @thedailyvox pic.twitter.com/QCYn4RuSyZ
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
He also mentioned that he was slightly peeved at the Blitzbokke for not giving the British team a thorough beating.
“To our rugby 7s I wish you had beaten Britain just to teach them a lesson for the years of colonialism” #teamSArise pic.twitter.com/r7SrUSjJE1
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
In closing, Fikile announced that the medalists would be receiving bonuses on top of the rewards they receive for their medals.
Fikile Mabalula announces increases to medalist winnings. Wayde getting 150k more, Caster 100k, silver medalists 70k, bronze 50k #teamSArise
— Mohammed Jameel (@indie_impimpi) August 23, 2016
With a loud final cheer and some thank yous from the SASCOC officials, SA’s Olympians bowed off and directed to private interviews off-stage.
