Formula One is to return to Africa for the first time in more than three decades, with Rwanda granted a 10-year contract to host a Grand Prix from the early 2030s – a deal described by F1 chief Stefano Domenicali as a "landmark" moment. https://t.co/JBgRFFKQYT
"If you are going to the beach, by the water, where people go to relax, there is a certain way you can dress and behave that may be different from other places. That is perfectly acceptable. But imagine someone coming here dressed as though they were at the beach. Would that work? Wouldn't you all turn around and wonder, what happened to this person? By the way, this is not just about women. Most of the time, these things are made to be about women, but the same applies to men. Even now, imagine we are sitting here, and a man suddenly walks in, as though he has just come from the gym, wearing shorts, with nothing on his upper body, and comes to sit among us. People would ask, what happened to this person? Did he forget where he was going?
Now, if we had all agreed to come dressed that way, then perhaps that is how it would be. But some people would not come. Isn't that so? Some would simply decide not to attend, saying, we are not going to be part of that.
There is a way society regulates itself, including through self-regulation. But when you simply say, we have seen this elsewhere, so let us do the same here, and you bring it into our society, society may tell you, we have not reached that point yet. Perhaps we were moving in that direction, but we are not there yet.
That should not create any hostility. There should be a way of regulating these things so that people can come to an understanding. It is like a foreign body. I think those of you in the medical profession know this. When a foreign object, a fragment of something, enters the body, the body tends to reject it. It keeps pushing it out. Even when a thorn gets stuck in your skin, if you leave it there for some time, it begins to work its way out. Eventually, you find it near the surface and remove it. Society works in much the same way. A healthy society, with its own way of functioning, when something unfamiliar is introduced into it, gradually, little by little, that society begins to push it away. There is then a struggle between someone trying to change society to fit something they have brought from elsewhere, and society itself saying, do not bring these things here, and pushing that person away. But there should be no conflict. That is how these things should work.
Young people like you should keep these things in mind. Think about them. Understand what it is that you want for yourselves. Even here, in our discussions, people should be able to raise these questions and say, there are things we have seen becoming increasingly accepted in our society, yet they are not part of our culture. They do not even bring us any benefit. Why should we accept them, especially when they are things that harm people? Why?" President Kagame | Youth #MeetThePresident
On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I offer warm congratulations to His Excellency President @PaulKagame and the government and people of Rwanda on securing a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix.
South Africa shares in the pride with which Rwanda is preparing to fly the chequered flag for our continent with the hosting of a globally prestigious event at the planned Bugesera circuit from the early 2030s.
This contract is a recognition of the capabilities of the Rwandan nation and of our continent more broadly.
As host of the first Grand Prix on African soil in 1993, and organiser of other major global events, South Africa will be happy to provide any support we may be invited to share.
The F1 African Grand Prix is another lustrous addition to Rwanda’s growing collection of top international events, including the UCI-classified Tour du Rwanda cycling race.
Congratulations, Rwanda.
You are in pole position to make all of Africa proud and take motorsport to new heights.
We have @AMALONHKP right now in our studio.
We are going to vibe, and if you have any questions for him, drop them in the comment section. #FridayOfficeParty