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Cape Town - There were hundreds of people at OR Tambo International on Tuesday to welcome back Team South Africa from the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
The team won 17 medals in total - 7 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze - to finish in 22nd place on the overall table.
While that may seem impressive given that the Olympic side emerged with 10 medals from Rio, it does not match the efforts of the Paralympic team that represented South Africa and won 29 medals at the London Games in 2012.
South Africa's first medal winner, swimmer Kevin Paul, was among the first athletes to emerge from the arrivals hall.
Sports minister Fikile Mbalula, who was in Rio, was among the dignitaries in Johannesburg to welcome the team back.
As he often does, Mbalula took to Twitter to express himself, and he did a pretty good job of keeping us up to date in the process.
Basically, it's LIT here - warmest welcome for our athletes #teamSAwelcome pic.twitter.com/gyZ3Qv8Sn6
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) September 20, 2016
We ouchea to welcome our athletes #teamSA pic.twitter.com/1xNoHz1a0K
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) September 20, 2016
News24's Wim Pretorius was also on the scene.They are here !! #teamSA
We're proud pic.twitter.com/TpxgVZpd9K— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) September 20, 2016
Min. of Sport & Rec, Fikile Mbalula & Dep Minister of Sport & Rec, Gert Oosthuizen at OR Tambo. @Sport24news @News24 pic.twitter.com/UozkfkZ1Kn
— Wim Pretorius (@Wimster101) September 20, 2016
It's buzzing at OR Tambo International with a lot of singing and a massive crowd gathering. #TeamSA #Paralympics @Sport24news @News24
— Wim Pretorius (@Wimster101) September 20, 2016
Laerskool Constantiapark learners excited to see local hero Ntando Mahlangu (silver). #TeamSA @Sport24news @News24 pic.twitter.com/QMPRHJ5zLd
— Wim Pretorius (@Wimster101) September 20, 2016
