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Kass Naidoo

South African by choice

2007-09-28 08:52

Kass Naidoo

I've been told there is a big debate going on in Durban about where sporting allegiance should lie for people of Indian descent, born in South Africa. This happens every time India and Pakistan tour our country, and is nothing new, really.

From my experience, the South African Indian community is as diverse as our nation. There are those who support South Africa, India, Manchester United, Liverpool, Australia and even Brazil. One thing's for sure, it's a community passionate about sport.

So, who do I support?

Well, my grandfather came to South Africa as a young boy in the early 1900s and I was born in South Africa, and I have felt a strong connection with my South African identity since my earliest recollection.

As a teenager I remember being hauled over the coals by my uncle, who was highly critical of my brother and me supporting South Africa in sport. We used to get into heated debates, often ending with me storming off, insisting that I would always support my country.

So, I know from personal experience that the issue of sporting allegiance in the Indian community is a volatile topic. When South Africa play India or anyone else, I always shout for the green and gold, and I am happy with the choice I have made.

We all hope to one day see a South African team representative of our nation's demographic but we can't expect things to get better if our attitudes stay the same. Negativity prevents us from taking action.

If you want to see development taking place, just go to a cricket clinic in Alexandra, Johannesburg, where we recently saw young white cricketers bussed in to join the crowd and get some vital tips from the Proteas.

So, the busses aren't only going one way, there is a lot happening. To those white people saying, "We will never have a chance again," and to black parents saying, "My child will never get in," maybe we should start talking about the things we can do rather than the things we can't.

Everything is hunky-dory, until we lose. When we win, we pump out our chests and feel so proud to be South African, and when we lose, we start fighting over quotas, the captaincy, and chewing gum.

One defeat in five matches is not a reason to axe the captain. We are too young a democracy to become this despondent; we have achieved remarkable successes in our short history. Even with transformation issues, we are beating top sporting nations more regularly than we are losing.

Support the team, whoever it is, so long as we always put sport first. Make constructive criticism and aim to build rather than offend. Let's stop focusing on petty politics and personality conflicts. If some people dislike the captain, it shouldn't matter. What should matter is what's happening on the field. It may seem fun to call a player fat and useless, but shouldn't we play the ball and not the man?

  • Kass Naidoo is editor of gsport... for Girls!

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    • Comments have been closed for this article.

    donovan 9/28/2007 9:17:23 AM
    Thank you Miss Naidoo
    D 9/28/2007 9:24:11 AM
    One loss in five matches - not bad! The problem is that we always loose the crucial match. When it comes down to the crunch, Graham and the guys just fold. I am sick of it and at this point feel rocks for SA cricket.
    Zeth 9/28/2007 9:27:59 AM
    Excellent article - well said Kass, this is gooseflesh stuff!
    Magic 9/28/2007 9:33:05 AM
    I am proudly South African & will support any SA team that is representative of the nation. The cricket team is not representative of the our country and I will never get behind this team until this changes. Black players are never given a chance & are only selected as the 12th man or play one game & get kicked out the next. Even England selects more players or colour than SA. This is a disgrace & because of people like you that are in a position to make a diff. but don't things will never cha
    Shirley 9/28/2007 9:34:33 AM
    You know what Cas, to a certain extent i agree with what you say, but lets be honest here. who give a flying fig about this series against India, or that series against Autralia that we have won? What we care about is the world cups, and the just cant do it can they? Its the same with all the sports, the build up is FABULOUS, and just like that it all dissapears. *gmph* and as for the chewing gum, its that he hasn't got the manners to close his mouth when he chews!
    Alan 9/28/2007 9:39:59 AM
    People support a winning team, because it makes them feel proud and good. Select a winning team on merit and watch all creeds and colours support the winners. Its been 15 years since "freedom" surely the time for quotas etc is past.
    tanzwes 9/28/2007 9:40:04 AM
    Kasss you are an intelligent lady and I agree with you in general. However Smiff has not only lost one in 5, by a long way. He is extremely adept at making excuses and instead of getting his considerable weight behind the cricketing issues he is invloved in everything but. Until such time the Proteas themselves get their weight behind the task at hand how can we add ours to push together. They have to choose to do it themselves, after all they get paid for it by us who watch.
    Abrey 9/28/2007 9:43:33 AM
    Thanks Kass. The general cricket lovers will continue to support the sport and the proteas. However, I watch them now with no expectations, because of there performances when it matters most. I do not put my heart in it anymore, but I will still watch from time to time. They will always have my support as a loyal South-African, but for blood pressure consistancty, I don't really care much anymore. These guys earn big tom and have the best professional help available and still don't care much.
    Jaco 9/28/2007 10:07:16 AM
    Whether our team performs to their fullest potential or not, is not the point she's making here, "D" (of the 2nd comment). It is about choosing (or not) to align oneself with the country one chooses to call home. Kass, thank you for the clear, logical and fair assessments of our status as spectators, and calmly pointing out how destructive all this apparent self-hatred can be. I really wish our country had more people like you. Good on ye!
    shalin 9/28/2007 10:11:59 AM
    You were not on the receiving end of not making club, national or even international sides. This is the ignorance you write from. Things that have happened in the "dark" past are still happening even now amongst the higher ranks of South African sport. Recent examples are that of the promising Loots Bosman, Goolam Bodi who was the official oraange peeler etc. Experience the problem?..then have a look at Jacques Kallis' record for the first few test matches. We(SA) still persisted with him!!
    Hennie 9/28/2007 10:16:42 AM
    Sorry, as long as politics rule the selection of the team, I support any other team rather than the "withered waterblommetjies".
    SJ 9/28/2007 10:16:49 AM
    The SA cricket team are over-paid, over-hyped and non-performing. But worst of all arrogant, especially Smith and don't seem to realise that is a privilege to play for the badge - not their right!
    Ringomania 9/28/2007 10:33:31 AM
    Winning & loosing is part of the game, but the problem here is chocking in important matches!! When will the Proteas learn that a 1 dimensional bowling attack never works?? We need some variety in our attack!! Why is Paul Harris only used as a Test bowler, aint he good enough for ODI's?? Spinners performed well in this T20 [Afridi, Vettori]. Our attack is too predictable!! Now they dropping Polly against Pak for who??
    Ryan van Wyk 9/28/2007 10:38:44 AM
    great article.... only thing is how many times do you expect us to get behind these chokers?
    Paul 9/28/2007 10:39:39 AM
    What 'is happening on the field' is that we are loosing the big games followed by pathetic excuses (always the same) by Smith & Arthur. Meanwhile behind the scenes childish but dangerous ploitics are being played out by incompetents so one never ever gets to see a properly motivated SA team in action hence we never win any major champoinships even on home ground. Paul
    Brad 9/28/2007 10:42:12 AM
    "Shalin" makes a valid comment. I've had a junior cricketer turned away by the academy simply because he couldn't play an on-drive? Talent overlooked for reasons other than cricketing skills I believe. SA will not win a world cup while Pollock, Ntini-'whats-a-slow-ball', Kallis, Boucher & Kemp are still in the side. Every bowler knows to bowl outswingers to Smith except Smith himself... No Pride Bunch of Profesional Chokers...
    Grow UP 9/28/2007 10:45:38 AM
    The reason we always lose 'the big one' is that the SA cricketers act like an irresponsible bunch of school boys. One night after their loss to India a friend of mine spotted Smith and Kemp Plastered to the walls, not even able to speak properly at a Cape Town night club that is very popular with the younger crowd. They need to grow up and learn how to perform under pressure and not be out boozing with a bunch of 20-year olds.
    NM 9/28/2007 10:50:11 AM
    Nice article...I agree with you Kas, but can you tell me why Gulam Bodi never palyed when our the top order was not firing. Why was he in the side? Support South Africa...not in this life time. I am glad the Proteas got thier a$$e$ handed to them and that too by India....:)
    SACricketFan 9/28/2007 10:51:19 AM
    Race - Indian Nationality - South African. GO Proteas. So they lose. They make me miserable. It's sport. I want more blacks in the team. I want more wins. But I am not interested in fighting some righteous war. Time adds value. Maybe we need longer than 15 years for this thing to turn around.
    xcal 9/28/2007 10:52:29 AM
    1. I can?t be faulted for supporting my Ma or my Gogo! 2. When punished by mommy the child will run to Gogo. It is sad but many SA-Indians felt punished in the Old SA and feel the same way now. 3.Management. Smith yelled at his AA team-mates when they dropped their catches, but laughed when his chosen players dropped theirs? Compare with Dhoni?s quiet words with the offending players and that he chose Sharma because he wanted to prove himself. 4. My dream final was SA win over India. PSA
    Agonyuncle 9/28/2007 10:53:22 AM
    They are a clichy bunch of losers. the sooner Smith, Pollock, and the other elite are out and we really start with a really new team, the better.
    TC 9/28/2007 10:53:59 AM
    The mayor of Tswane defines you as an "adopted African without very much say". Betweeen you and me I think we have a fight to fight! If that is the ANC opinion, support the Proteas / Springboks is an academic debate.
    Berns 9/28/2007 10:58:21 AM
    Not until every single sports team in this country is 100% representative of every race colour can anyone who suggested this with their replies make a valid comment about it. Why are the two most successful team sports in SA being targeted by quotas? What about soccer? Are there Indians the national soccer side, the national swimming side and so the list goes on for several race groups? So what does quotas achieve for cricket and rugby, the most successful team sport in SA? THE TAG OF CHOKER
    Bob 9/28/2007 10:58:29 AM
    I will continue to support Pakistan and not south africa. Whilst politics rules south african sport they can forget about getting support from me. They can also fire Smith as captain as he is no match as a captain to Dhoni, Malik or Ponting.
    Frans 9/28/2007 11:04:40 AM
    The tour to pakistan has not even started, and Graeme Smith already complains about having to play too much cricket. Is the reason for the PROTEAS's ongoing bad showings, not maybe due to them not being match fit? Why are they always tired, but teams like the Aussies never? Come on Graeme/Mickey, stop whining, and show the SA fans that you know how NOT to choke...
    Andrew 9/28/2007 11:07:13 AM
    Kass, i admire you for being so loyal. i also support sa no matter what, buy with no expectations! i have actually cried real tears before following thier dismal performaces in the games that really matter - smith should concentrate on the task at hand, stop making excuses for his OWN bad performances and captaincy skills, and stop laying in CT Bars and we might get somewhere. I remember this "People say i'm too young to be a captain" Yes you are, and too immature also - Oh how i miss Hansie!
    LM 9/28/2007 11:08:07 AM
    I am so tired of the Indian supporters debate, leave the South African Indian community to support whoever they want. I don't hear anyone complaining when 30 000 expats in Perth support the SA cricket or rugby team when we play over there.
    Jenny 9/28/2007 11:10:48 AM
    This is exactly the kind of article one would expect from Kass. Instead of lecturing to the rest of us to "support the team whoever it is" how about lecturing to the team which continues to underperform at crucial times and disappoint an ever-dwindling number of supporters.
    ashley 9/28/2007 11:11:34 AM
    Most of the comments re recent cricket - seem to mention the overweight, "chowing with his mouth open" Smiff! Whilst he may be an average cricketer, his personality and arrogance have done the game great harm. He is always fullof excuses and has no grace in (frequent) defeat. If we got a new Captain - I think many many aspects would improve.
    Sam 9/28/2007 11:11:58 AM
    I think it was a real shocker for the Proteas when they realise there is more of a applause when India did some thing good than what they got from the spectators in Durban. everybody cabn support who they will but what a shame when people in your own country support a country where they never have been or do not want to stay. If we give this type of support to our guys, world cups should rather take place overseas.
    Zulu 9/28/2007 11:12:32 AM
    Kass, why did you not anchor the coverage, puleezzzz, don't think the guy that was there could have milked another microgram out the half hour build up, shame poor Eric Simons, you could see he was going nuts....
    J0e 9/28/2007 11:19:39 AM
    Why should we back our cricket team that doesnt select it's players on 'merit'??? Why should we support a team thats BULLIED by smith and the fig fat liar mr mickey mouse???? Why do we not give players of colour an equal chance to play... why pick them and make them warm the bench??? Why do we not play with a spinner, have we not learnt our lesson from the carribeans???
    Jason Johnson 9/28/2007 11:22:59 AM
    No Kass. Let's forget about everything else and focus on just one thing. Playing cricket is what these guys do for a living. It's all they do. They get paid very well for the trouble. If it were an amateur setup, the position would be different. As things are, we expect nothing less from them than the very best. The same goes for any other professional whether they be a doctor, lawyer, dentist or TV presenter. Predicatble choking and constant failure is simply not an acceptablem option.
    SA 9/28/2007 11:26:50 AM
    If you were born SA you should support SA. There are many people of many different decents who now support SA, why should it be different for the Indian community?
    K.G. 9/28/2007 11:29:23 AM
    Hey kass, just a quick comment....My forefathers came here with the original cane cutters...that makes me as south African as any "indian" can get....but when has anyone in this country past or present refered to us as south africans????Never!!! So why support S.A.?? The past government refused to recognise our status and the present wants to wipe us out.....who cares let them have their sports...we got Phoenix and Chatsworth
    Wayne 9/28/2007 11:37:57 AM
    The sooner Smith realises and sets the example, that the Proteas play for their country and not for their own egos, the better. If Smith Captained like he chews gum, we would at least see some progress.
    Peter Neill 9/28/2007 11:39:31 AM
    Kass, don't be dissollusioned by these responses to your article. You make a good point about attitudes, but unfortunately the anger amongst the fans is a symptom of the problem. Attitudes to cricket are unlikely to change until the attitudes of the administrators and the players change first. Unfortunately the 'key value driver' to any sport is a winning culture - like Australia. It feels like a fluke that Aus lost. In contrast we all expected SA to fold and they did.
    Ric 9/28/2007 11:43:27 AM
    1.Why is it that those who lambast the South African supportes of India never utter a word about the racist abuse heaped on the Proteas, by ex-White South Africans,when they tour Australia? 2. If the Proteas had 9 Indian players & 3 Whites would those that accused Indians of not being patriotic, support the team? 3. Those Whites that have a problem with Indians supporting India - why do you'll hold dual passports? What does that say about your patriotism? Look at yourselves first!
    cornea 9/28/2007 11:45:14 AM
    Why must I support a team that has a coach that does not deserve to be there, a captain that is running the click, decent players not selected and palyaers, even BEE players, leaving the country? Something is smelling and I think cricket needs a comlete make-over. Bring on Ray Jennings!!! He'll win a World Cup (or get us into a final at least).
    bliksement 9/28/2007 11:52:15 AM
    Indian if you are that unsatisfied, please pick up your stuff and leave the country if you are that unsatisfied. I have no respect for anyone that life in this country but don't support this country, ask yourself why are you here then? This is not India but South-Africa, so if you want to be a Indian go to India, but if you want to be living year be an South African. A lot of racial tension has been created in the past by comments like yours.
    donovan 9/28/2007 11:58:26 AM
    K.G & some of our other indian brothers- "when has anyone in this country past or present refered to us as south africans????" I don't understand the logic. Since when does one have one's identity determined by others? The point is what do you consider yourself to be? You don't seem to consider yourself South African; and if you don't, how can you ever hope that others will?
    Nick 9/28/2007 12:02:46 PM
    Brilliant article from a brilliant cricket lover (and a proud South African) Well written Kass! To those who don`t support SA because they lose occassionally (big games or not), you were never true SA sport supporters to begin with. Most of you are fence sitters and will quickly swop sides purely to be a winning supporter. We can lose many many games but I`ll never change the side I support, and first and foremost are the South African sides, irrespective of the sporting code-Bafana incl.
    Pierre Willemse 9/28/2007 12:11:05 PM
    It is funny that we should put our weight behind the team, I think there is already enough weight as it is. Kemp, Smith, Boucher sweated heavily after they only batted about 2 overs each. Not to mention Kemp getting run out after jogging a run. Philander and Nel were also sweating and breathing like they had run a marathon after only bowling a over. We need to get discipline back in the team. Mickey Arthur is only a pawn and Ray Jennings should be recalled.
    Joe 9/28/2007 12:11:31 PM
    I haven't watch South African cricket since the world cup. I will start supporting the proteas again if Smith and his coach leave. They are a bunch of chokers.
    Nick 9/28/2007 12:12:25 PM
    Kass, nice article. For my 2 cents worth, I don't blame the Indian community in Durban for supporting India. Fans want to get behind winners. It's as simple as that. India went into the tournament with a cavalier, never-say-die attitude and it reaped dividends. I admire them for that. South Africa, on the other hand, is still a divided team, run by a senior clique and headed up by a pompous ass who makes excuses - even though he's often the weakest link!

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