Dark days for SA rugby

2008-09-04 09:33

Georgina Guedes

South African rugby is the playing field for transformation in South Africa. I still get misty-eyed when the strains of "Nkosi" fade into "Die Stem" at the beginning of every international game - not because I have any emotional connection to "Die Stem", but because the fact that in the spirit of inclusiveness and conciliation, the old anthem was incorporated into the new one by our first free government.

It is a strong symbol of how South Africans can live side-by-side in something like harmony.

The Anthem aside, the game of rugby has also been a stage for transformation in this country, and we are seeing the rise of a generation of black players who will go down in history for bringing the game to all South Africans - making this sport, in which we fare so well on the international stage, something that the entire nation can be proud of.

Unfortunately, something we can't be proud of is the racist action of a group of rugby supporters at this weekend's stellar match against Australia at Coca-Cola Park. That their actions in calling a young black woman "kaffir" and manhandling her were disgusting is not up for debate.

Whatever the colour of this woman's skin, such flagrantly disrespectful behaviour is unacceptable. When the colour of her skin is taken into account, the hateful nature of their actions elevates them from mere thugs to outright criminals.

When I hear stories about people who are as backward as this, I am always astonished to think about how they must go through life fuelled by such hate - it must be absolutely exhausting. It's not easy to get away from black people in South Africa - there are a few million of them. If the mere sight of a dark skin in a pleasant context like a rugby match is enough to incite an enraged response, these people must go through life with extremely high blood pressure.

A good day

Saturday was a good day. By half time we had a fairly clear idea that we were going to win the game - on the strengths of all the players in the team, black and white. That these idiots allowed themselves to feel such hatred and rage on a good day certainly ruined the day for Ziningi Shibambo, but I imagine that the day was ruined for them too.

Whatever satisfaction they may derive from molesting a defenceless woman, they didn't change the state of transformation in the country, the city or the game - and that's got to be a burden for them, doesn't it?

Nothing is going to change the fact that South Africa is now a democratic nation ruled by the majority. Our country is going to become more and more African, as it should, and those who aren't able to make their peace with this are going to spend the rest of their lives in situations where their anger makes them weak.

Because three men attacking a woman is weak - it's pathetic and immoral and the action of cowardly people.

I'm not saying that every white person should go out and find themselves a black best friend. It would be nice, but it's clearly not going to happen. But when a chance encounter causes their path to cross with a black person, supporting the same sport that they are, a sport now populated with some incredible black players, they should be able to find a way to graciously afford her the courtesy of a pleasant greeting, and see her presence there as being tolerant of them, as white people, in the country of her fathers.

And as for the spectators who jeered at Jongi Nokwe when he scored a record-breaking for tries for South Africa - just don't come to the rugby. Black players are going to continue to succeed in South African rugby. If that's going to upset you, save your money and keep your hatred at home.

Georgina Guedes is a freelance journalist. Ziningi Shibambo is welcome to come and watch rugby with her and her friends anytime.

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