When Ashwell Prince moved from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town back in late 1990s he quickly became aware of the levels of prejudice that existed in the professional, domestic game – not that he was unfamiliar with prejudicial bias having endured it at every stage of his young career.
Let me tell you a story. Just the other day, yesterday, I was listening to this chat by a hiphop group The Lox. Yes, I listen to hiphop 😁. Anyway, they were discussing the issue of a young rapper who was being cancelled.
Styles P (of The Lox) asked the question, what do we gain by cancelling someone. Do we make any strides in addressing the wrongs they committed when we cancel someone?
I walked away with the realization that cancelling someone does not make the world a better place. It does not make the cancelled person a better individual.
Thinking about these testimonies, what is the end game plan? I am a bit worried that the recommendations that will be made might not do a lot in helping the situation. People have been accused of racial discrimination, how is CSA going to deal with that?
I have a huge problem with the fact that sweeping allegations of racism have been reported as fact by the media without the alleged perpetrators being given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Its palpably wrong not to apply the audi alteram partem rule in a process that is meant to contribute to "nation building". Typical of CSA's incompetent and destructive officials. They simply don't have a clue about anything, let alone cricket!!!
You're absolutely right, of course, Bryan. We have only heard one side of the story. Although I should point out that Aaron Phangiso not playing a single game at the 2015 World Cup and Khaya Zondo not playing in the fifth ODI in India in the same year looked terrible and I was one of several people to say so at the time. I don't beleive they were excluded on the basis of their race - just that Imran Tahir wanted to play every game, even the the inconsequential one against the UAE. And Zondo was picked as the reserve batsman - that was the vote of confidence in his ability and when JP Duminy was injured, he should have played. The doubts were about his ability, not his race.
It does appear quite obvious that the Ombudsman and his two assistants have made their minds up. The advocate promised that the hearings would be 'inquisitorial' rather than 'accusatorial' but that has patently not been the case.
If any player is or has been excluded because of race then the responsible people should be summarily dismissed from their position as a selector/administrator or permanently banned from playing if its the captain. That would be totally unacceptable!
Without stating the obvious, our problem is that there are no development programmes to identify and develop black cricketing talent of which there is a plethora in our townships and rural areas. Specifically in the Eastern Cape where I live. I know because I have seen it in abundance!! Development programmes are too much like hard work for our lazy, greedy and egotistical administrators. The alternative that requires the least effort is to implement quotas under the guise of "transformation". Sadly you then end up with mediocre players who are not necessarily there on merit and complain that they are treated differently because they are black which is exactly what has happened in most cases at the CSA hearings.
Having played a bit of representative cricket I know what it is like as a newcomer in a team. The 'senior players" don't exactly invite you into their space. One has to earn ones way to becoming part of the "manne". Some never do and yes it isn't the best of fun being in a team when you are still a "junior", even more so if it's because of being viewed as an average player or marginal selection. I don't necessarily agree with it but that's the way it is! Perhaps they should find out from some white cricketers that weren't part of the alleged "big five" if they also felt that the back of the bus was "their place" or if the senior players also failed to greet them when they walked past them at breakfast or if they had specific songs that were sung when they received a fine? Perhaps that would reveal what the real reason is behind the alleged behaviour of those that have been accused in the hearings.
As soon as you veer away from the simple selection philosophy of ‘picking the best available’, only trouble can follow. The better performed and more deserving players who didn’t even get to tour because of racial quotas, have got a far more justifiable gripe than the likes of Telemachus, Phangiso and Zhondo who didn’t get a game on tour.
Where's the inquiry for that injustice?
Quotas have not worked and will never work. You cannot transform a game from the top downwards. All they have done is drop the quality of the 1st Class system and forced 20+ of the best domestic players to England where they are not discriminated against on the basis of their race.
If there is to be any healing, then quotas must go, and EVERYONE must be picked on merit.
It's a strong argument you make but the economics of South Africa mean that, without some form of intervention, at some level, we will never have a team which fairly represents the demographics of the country because insufficient black players have the means to compete 'on a level playing field.' And don't become distracted by the moral argument - righting the wrongs of the past' may be reason enough for some people to pursue transformation but ask the (remaining) sponsors and broadcasters how important it is to them to have representative national teams. And there's no professional game without sponsors and broadcasters...
Indeed, Neil. There is a very powerful argument (which has been made by many great sports people) that the greatest, most powerful single ingredient in the creation of 'team spirit' is...winning!
One of the most personal articles you have shared Niel. Thank you.
It's a tough time, mate. Got to be honest... :)
It is quite difficult times.
Let me tell you a story. Just the other day, yesterday, I was listening to this chat by a hiphop group The Lox. Yes, I listen to hiphop 😁. Anyway, they were discussing the issue of a young rapper who was being cancelled.
Styles P (of The Lox) asked the question, what do we gain by cancelling someone. Do we make any strides in addressing the wrongs they committed when we cancel someone?
I walked away with the realization that cancelling someone does not make the world a better place. It does not make the cancelled person a better individual.
Thinking about these testimonies, what is the end game plan? I am a bit worried that the recommendations that will be made might not do a lot in helping the situation. People have been accused of racial discrimination, how is CSA going to deal with that?
I am now worried over the aftermath.
I have a huge problem with the fact that sweeping allegations of racism have been reported as fact by the media without the alleged perpetrators being given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. Its palpably wrong not to apply the audi alteram partem rule in a process that is meant to contribute to "nation building". Typical of CSA's incompetent and destructive officials. They simply don't have a clue about anything, let alone cricket!!!
You're absolutely right, of course, Bryan. We have only heard one side of the story. Although I should point out that Aaron Phangiso not playing a single game at the 2015 World Cup and Khaya Zondo not playing in the fifth ODI in India in the same year looked terrible and I was one of several people to say so at the time. I don't beleive they were excluded on the basis of their race - just that Imran Tahir wanted to play every game, even the the inconsequential one against the UAE. And Zondo was picked as the reserve batsman - that was the vote of confidence in his ability and when JP Duminy was injured, he should have played. The doubts were about his ability, not his race.
It does appear quite obvious that the Ombudsman and his two assistants have made their minds up. The advocate promised that the hearings would be 'inquisitorial' rather than 'accusatorial' but that has patently not been the case.
If any player is or has been excluded because of race then the responsible people should be summarily dismissed from their position as a selector/administrator or permanently banned from playing if its the captain. That would be totally unacceptable!
Without stating the obvious, our problem is that there are no development programmes to identify and develop black cricketing talent of which there is a plethora in our townships and rural areas. Specifically in the Eastern Cape where I live. I know because I have seen it in abundance!! Development programmes are too much like hard work for our lazy, greedy and egotistical administrators. The alternative that requires the least effort is to implement quotas under the guise of "transformation". Sadly you then end up with mediocre players who are not necessarily there on merit and complain that they are treated differently because they are black which is exactly what has happened in most cases at the CSA hearings.
Having played a bit of representative cricket I know what it is like as a newcomer in a team. The 'senior players" don't exactly invite you into their space. One has to earn ones way to becoming part of the "manne". Some never do and yes it isn't the best of fun being in a team when you are still a "junior", even more so if it's because of being viewed as an average player or marginal selection. I don't necessarily agree with it but that's the way it is! Perhaps they should find out from some white cricketers that weren't part of the alleged "big five" if they also felt that the back of the bus was "their place" or if the senior players also failed to greet them when they walked past them at breakfast or if they had specific songs that were sung when they received a fine? Perhaps that would reveal what the real reason is behind the alleged behaviour of those that have been accused in the hearings.
As soon as you veer away from the simple selection philosophy of ‘picking the best available’, only trouble can follow. The better performed and more deserving players who didn’t even get to tour because of racial quotas, have got a far more justifiable gripe than the likes of Telemachus, Phangiso and Zhondo who didn’t get a game on tour.
Where's the inquiry for that injustice?
Quotas have not worked and will never work. You cannot transform a game from the top downwards. All they have done is drop the quality of the 1st Class system and forced 20+ of the best domestic players to England where they are not discriminated against on the basis of their race.
If there is to be any healing, then quotas must go, and EVERYONE must be picked on merit.
It's a strong argument you make but the economics of South Africa mean that, without some form of intervention, at some level, we will never have a team which fairly represents the demographics of the country because insufficient black players have the means to compete 'on a level playing field.' And don't become distracted by the moral argument - righting the wrongs of the past' may be reason enough for some people to pursue transformation but ask the (remaining) sponsors and broadcasters how important it is to them to have representative national teams. And there's no professional game without sponsors and broadcasters...
Good article, as always. Maybe cricket can take a leaf out of rugby's book, the Springboks are World Champions and everyone seems to get on fine.
Indeed, Neil. There is a very powerful argument (which has been made by many great sports people) that the greatest, most powerful single ingredient in the creation of 'team spirit' is...winning!