Springbok - Keep politics out of sport

The Springbok emblem remains one of the few unifying tokens left in our country and its historic significance goes as far back as the first San inhabitants who proudly depicted this indigenous antelope in their rock art. Nothing can replace the vigor and athletic attributes of the Springbok and ultimately the Protea (Also an emblem with racist connotations during Apartheid) should be removed from all the different sport codes. The Springbok should take centre stage in an international marketing campaign to off-set the negative image of South Africa as portrayed by the infighting and mockery of democracy by the ANC and their aspiring henchmen.

Political interference by the ANC government in sport is however a serious threat to racial harmony as displayed by parliamentary sports committee chairperson Butana Moses Komphela.Transformation in sport needs absolute sincerity but Komphela's unending stream of crude, uninformed and plainly racist utterances harms the very cause. The track record of Komphela’s abuse of parliamentary privilege and intimidation of sport officials is another example of the ruling elite’s arrogant power abuse to politicize issues and to advance personal objectives. The time has come for Komphela to be ‘recalled’ but he is obviously seriously contesting for a higher position on the gravy train.

Puke Watson’s melodramatic utterances and hate speech remarks has now added to a new debate to subtract attention completely of the real issue of transformation and performance of our sport teams - enough to make anyone to feel extremely nauseated. The latter should hand his Springbok jersey back – because he is quite right we despise him for what he is – a racist and a disgrace for South African sport, protected by spin doctors of false ideology.

Although the ANC leadership has denied any plans of scrapping the emblem anything is still possible in the future. We are all aware of the ruling party’s two-tier hit and run politics.

Most disturbing however is Sport and Recreation minister Stofile’s quest for more power to enable him to nationalize all sport federations. Such a process will not only give the ruling elite total control of the finances created by our sportsmen and woman but will have devastating effects to the future of sport and the country as a whole.

Citing the poor performance of Bafana Bafana for this notion Stofile and the ANC clearly demonstrates their inability to manage transformation and the country. This bizarre idea for creating ‘national cohesion’ is not only a recipe for disaster but will also demolish our sport structures completely.



VDM will appose this blatant misuse of power at all costs. The ANC should be stripped of al it’s powers in the forthcoming elections and the electorate should reclaim its rightful place in the governance of our country. Creating space for the voters to actively participate in how they are governed is clearly not on the agenda of the ANC. Manipulation of funds and greed seems to be the only motivation for the ruling elite.

Transformation can only succeed under peaceful conditions without hatred where communities could establish mechanisms to suit their particular demands and aspirations. Much needed funds should be allocated on a great scale at local level for the establishment for clubs and sport facilities. Modern sport and recreation centers with easy access for young and old could also be beneficial to society where drug and alcohol abuse is at the order of the day. Marginalized communities should be freed from the misery they live in – a healthy body fosters a healthy mind and better performance overall.

VDM has started a national campaign – KEEP POLITICS OUT OF SPORT. Discerning citizens of all walks of live are requested to join in this initiative by contributing to the debate in forwarding positive input and solutions to renew our national sport policies to the betterment of society as a whole. http://groups.google.com/group/vuku

Ben du Koker

Secretary General

VUKUZENZELE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT