Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says that he has "no doubt in his mind" that South Africa will host the 2036 Olympic Games.
If awarded the hosting rights, it would mark the first time that the Games are held on the African continent.
Last year the Minister alongside the President of the South African Sports Confederation Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Barry Hendricks, and CEO, Ms Nozipho Jafta met with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland to formally express the country's interest in hosting the global showpiece.
“We are at the start of an exciting new process that could lead to South Africa hosting the 2036 Olympic Games," McKenzie said after the meeting.
He had previously revealed that the country's interest in hosting the games would be followed by "a feasibility study being conducted under the guidance of the IOC to determine which city, region or combination of places would be best suited to hosting the Games, with the IOC’s updated approach to bidding emphasising sustainability, the socioeconomic development of the host country and the use of as many existing facilities as possible"
However, in an interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on the SMWX Podcast on YouTube, McKenzie revealed that he is confident the Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to Mzansi.
"The issue of the Olympics coming in 2036 to South Africa, I have no doubt in my mind, we are working very hard," McKenzie said.
"I have also met the boss of the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC ) president (Thomas Bach) and the committee dealing with that they have guided us. So I did not hear rumours and I didn't just go to the papers, I'm following up on the things that I'm saying," he added.
McKenzie on Formula One return to South Africa
McKenzie also promised to return Formula One to South Africa, stating that "we are getting this thing."
Last year, the Minister appointed a Bid Steering Committee to assist South Africa in its bid to host the Formula One (F1) race. The Minister revealed that the committee would be responsible for "managing and guiding South Africa's F1 bid process."
However, South Africa faces stiff competition from Rwanda, which is also bidding to host the prestigious event.
"FI I was intentional there were lost egos South Africa has been to the alter twice with F1 and never got married.
"There were billionaires involved, politicians involved every tom dick and Jabulani had something to say with regards to the F1 they wanted it. I t took this thing by the horns and I said back off, the president has given me the powers this is how we are going to do thing things.
"I'm saying to you now 2027 we are getting this thing"
IOL Sport