Bok-bashing just a ploy - FF+
2008-10-17 19:04
Cape Town - African National Congress politicians are using the Springbok emblem issue to bolster their image ahead of next year's elections, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said on Friday.
"At present, individuals such as Butana Komphela, are abusing the Springbok emblem in order to strengthen [their] own image within the ANC with regard to the composition of the ANC's candidates lists later this year," he said in a statement.
The ANC's decision at the Polokwane conference that 50% of candidates should be women had left the ruling party's male members under heavy pressure.
"Forceful, old buck comments, such as those of Komphela, have little to do with rugby's best interests and nation building, but only has to do with his personal political ambitions.
"How else does one explain that he wants to vomit on the same Springbok jersey which former president [Nelson] Mandela wore with such pride in 1995 when South Africa won the World Rugby Cup," Mulder said.
He urged the South African Rugby Union to attend to the issue only after the elections.
- SAPA