Komphela slams Aussie ‘racists’
14 Jul 2007
Butana Komphela has described the Wallabies’ reluctance to hold the Mandela Plate as an act of racism and disrespect for South Africa’s former president.
Komphela, the chairman of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport answered questions put forward by concerned South Africans in the Sunday Times. One reader queried the Australians’ attitude, and Komphela pulled no punches in slamming their actions.
“Australia has a history of racism,” he said. “If you recall, during the times of the struggle for non-racial sport it was Australia who were pumping apartheid South Africa with rebel tours.
“I was not surprised to see them do what they did. That is the same country where South African expats wave the Vierkleur flag and Indians are called terrorists. Remember when Hashim Amla took that catch [when the Proteas played played Australia]? An Australian commentator said something like ‘another wicket for the terrorist’.
Komphela has featured prominently in the media this year and has come down on the South African Rugby Union for the slow rate of transformation in the sport. He confirmed the process will be an arduous one, but unless the opportunities for non-white players are increased at Currie Cup and Super 14 level, the Springbok side will continue to be predominantley white.
“Transformation can’t start from the top,” he said. “You need to build a solid foundation from the bottom up. Then you target areas that are not transformed, such as administration and coaching. It’s a holistic approach. We have another 15 years to go in pursuit of free sport and non-racism.”
To those supporters who say it doesn’t matter what colour the team is as long as it’s a successful one, Komphela responded by stating this is an unacceptable attitude.
“Winning cannot be at the expense of change and transformation. We must not be dying to win when we can’t move forward. We should be saying we are not going to win for the next five years while we transform so that one day when we do win, we all win as a country, with no black and white issues.”
131 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All
15 Jul 2007, 13:30 pm
Ha ha Ozzies, what you got to say about that? Put in your place?
15 Jul 2007, 13:33 pm
I like that in 5 to 15 years we will have representational teams that have no idea why they play, it will certainly not be to win.
This sounds like an open invite for all other countries to come and do their rugby shopping in SA. There will heaps of players to leave in this time.
Still think if this oke was serious he would take it club level and school level, rather than CC & S14.
15 Jul 2007, 13:36 pm
Khompela’s going to get a lot of flack from the Australian High Commission. The Aussie government took a tough anti apartheid stand, and there were numerous Aussie NGOs in SA.
Also, one of the most innovative schemes regarding coaching rugby in Soweto schools, only managed to get started after receiving funds from Australia after drawing a blank in SA.
It makes nice headlines to blame the insult on racism. The reality, I believe, is that the Aussie players felt that SA devalued the trophy by sending their B side.
And I hate defending the Wobblies!
15 Jul 2007, 13:37 pm
Get over it, Butane! You can’t be a kompeller and oblige the Aussies to treat that shiny hubcap in any way that YOU wish them to. It’s THEIR hubcap and they can do as they blimmin well like with it.
Put it on the barby and sizzle up a few prawns in it, I reckon.
When it’s been properly transformed, you can have your hubcap back. If you don’t want it, it can be pitched into the rubbish skip.
15 Jul 2007, 13:40 pm
Huh?
Last paragraph.
We are not going to win while we transform?
What kind of defeatist attitude is that?
I can’t believe we have people like Komphela in our rugby ‘politics’. The man is a a racist in the extremest sense of the word.
15 Jul 2007, 13:41 pm
Ozzies, now you know what right minded Saffas have to deal with! Not very pleasant hey?
Hahahahha the irony is really funny.
What you did with the plate was in bad taste. And you should apologise. But it WAS NO RACIST GESTURE!!!
Komphela you are retarded. Sorry mate, but WTF has race got to do with it? They would have done the same thing to a PW Botha plate..They cannot help it they are lacking in class!!! Get a life.
Interesting point – transformation above success. Winning is not everything? I kind of agree. But quota system is not the way to go.
15 Jul 2007, 13:43 pm
And when did the Aussies send rebel tours to SA during the ‘struggle’?
Is he referring to the NZ Cavaliers?
Or is he talking about another ‘struggle’ at another time at another place? Maybe in Liberia or Haitii.
15 Jul 2007, 13:45 pm
By agreeing, I mean one should not place winning above fairness IMO. And there is slow transformation. But Khomphela is really backward. He is dismally unintelligent. (no Khomphela that is not a racist comment)
15 Jul 2007, 13:45 pm
bloody politicising!! piss off from our sport Komphela, you are embarrassing us!
Real transformation of sport means that every young individual has the choice to choose which sport he wants to play, and the resources to follow this choice through.
Representation equality issues are pure bloody politicising for persona gain. Vote maximising scum.
THis politition is just trying to get into the press.
15 Jul 2007, 13:46 pm
Pietman
I think he was referring to Kim Hughes rebel cricket tour.
15 Jul 2007, 13:48 pm
Howdy David
Thanx.
Oh, cricket, must be that then.
Where can I find this article, in today’s ‘ST’?
15 Jul 2007, 13:50 pm
Pietman
The article refers to the ST. Haven’t seen it myself, although it may be online.
15 Jul 2007, 13:50 pm
A guy like Komphela will always see race. That is his trumpet. Yes start at the bottom ,pre CC and S14 and lets a have ateam that represents the strongest rugby players and team of SA,(not the politicak makeup of the country fool)….whoever they may be…just the best.
15 Jul 2007, 13:55 pm
David,
I hope he gets a bit more than a bit of grief from the Australian High Commission. I hope the full Australian Government gets involved.
Guys like Komphela have got a little big for their boots over the last 15 years since obtaining power. They are loose cannons who believe that because they were a once-repressed people that it is ok to hit out against all and sundry.
Not all who have been brought ot power in SA are like that. I find it highly ironic that Komphela chose to use Nelson Mandela in his argument too given Mandela’s preference for racial harmony and reconciliation over jibes and aggression.
As for his view that it should matter what the demographic of the Springbok team, this is yet again more evidence that the days of merit based selections are gone. In 15 years time, even after transformation has taken place, if the best 15 rugby players are still white, they will never be allowed to be selected to represent their country.
I would suggest that someone should buy Mr Komphela a dictionary for his birthday and get him to look up the definition of racism.
If he looks, he will find that racism is defined as “discrimination or prejudice based on race”.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. They just create a bigger mess.
South Africans affected by this stupid policy, I feel for you. I really do.
15 Jul 2007, 13:55 pm
what a moron. what has redneck saffie expats got to do with Australian attitudes? There were no Australian rebel rugby tours to SA. the cricket sides that came over, most of those tourists never played for Australia again. We gave you Mike Haysman
Nelson Mandela has got little connection with Australia and we don’t hate him. That trophy looks like it was taken from a Chinese banquet restaurant.
15 Jul 2007, 13:56 pm
Ouch!
Well he is right to a point – the Aussies for many, many, many decades only allowed white immigrants to their shores. Was that a racist policy?
I cannot wait for the reponse from the Aussies.
15 Jul 2007, 13:59 pm
I suppose the West Indians are also racists, since they had a rebel cricket team, as well.
15 Jul 2007, 14:00 pm
RedLion,
The Ozzies were guilty of it as were the majority of white western societies. In the bad old days, non-whites were deemed to be second class citizens.
Our ancestors left us with this legacy. Unfortuntely, as a white person, we have to try and redress the imbalance that they engineered.
15 Jul 2007, 14:01 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAH
Butana should do us all a favour and necklace himself.
15 Jul 2007, 14:02 pm
David,
How did that work? Were the Windies allowed to play in SA?
That’s kind of hypocritical of the then SA government to allow non-whites to tour and play their sporting teams when they specified that teams like the ABs were not able to play their Maori and Polynesian players.
15 Jul 2007, 14:03 pm
I think Butane might be receiving a call from the Dept of Foreign Affairs, after they’ve received a blistering complaint from the Aussie Govt.
I get the feeling this man lives in the shadow of his brother, who was the SA Soccer captain and now coaches the SA u/23 side, and is desperate to make a name for himself.
15 Jul 2007, 14:05 pm
David,
Well maybe it is a good thing in the end. Up until now, no-one from a foreign nation has wanted to say boo to South African politicians’ outburts for fear of being branded as racist.
This is the first big stick that has been provided to hit back with.
15 Jul 2007, 14:06 pm
David
I have just read the whole article.
This guy Komphela actually also states openly that he will stop the Springboks from going to France if the team doesn’t conform with the ‘law’.
He draws a parallel with the Aussies being prevented from playing cricket in Zim because of ‘human rights abuses’ there (at least he is the one parliamentarian who recognises the tragedy in Zim).
I don’t see the relevance of the Zim situation to the WC in France at all.
You guys should read the whole thing, keo merely touched on it.
It is a b@lls-up, I tell you. These people are power drunk.
15 Jul 2007, 14:07 pm
Problem is the world moves on while the SA politicians flog the hell out of the dead horse. This dude should be made an example of. In countries that are interested in progress and strive to be the best, people like these get left behind.
I think it is funny that he has done this because he effectively has brought a roll of toilet paper to a gun fight! If the Ozzies care to respode or pursue this, it will demostrate so clearly the differences in approach to Western world thinking and African thinking.
It may also spark a discussion between the sponsors and the SANZAR representatives about who can play and who cannot.
I don’t think SKY give a toss about SA demographics, they want their pound of flesh & that is what pays for idiots like this (albeit in a protracted way).
15 Jul 2007, 14:08 pm
Stodders
The Nats had already allowed mixed sides to tour, after sanctions were already in place.
The team contained Sylvester Clarke, Kallicheran etc.
In the first test at Newlands, Barry Richards treated the WI speedsters with absolute disdain. This after being semi retired. I think one of the commentators called it “the finest half century he’d ever seen”.
I was there, and couldn’t believe how brilliant Richards still was, after being out of test cricket for so long.
The WI was virtually a full strength one, that did it for the money. A number of them stayed on.
15 Jul 2007, 14:09 pm
Pietman,
which paper is it in?
15 Jul 2007, 14:10 pm
Sunday Times.
15 Jul 2007, 14:11 pm
Stodders
Today’s Sunday Times, om ananzi dot co dot za.
Click on the paper’s search station for ‘Komphela’.
The whole interview is there verbatim.
15 Jul 2007, 14:20 pm
Just a few snippets from that article:
You are concerned by the lack of black representation in rugby, yet there is not the same interest in the lack of white representation in soccer. Surely this makes you a hypocrite? — E Joseph, Cape Town
That story is unfounded. I would use as an example Highlands Park, which was coached by Joe Frickleton. It started as a predominantly white team but the team management never said it was exclusively for white people and it evolved.
This is an example of a team changing when it opens up. The racists in rugby, instead of understanding this, are closing ranks and maintaining the game should be white and exclusive in character.
If they remove the boundaries, rugby will also evolve. For us it is a luta continua [the struggle continues] as far as that is concerned.
So to say there is no transformation in soccer is complete madness. In Neil Tovey we had a white captain for Bafana Bafana for a long time, and soccer defied apartheid.
You wouldn’t like it if the teams playing in the 2010 World Cup were not full strength, yet you propose we send our rugby team to this year’s Rugby World Cup based on the demographics of the country. Will that be our best side? — G Long, East London
If the rugby team go to France after the President has signed the Sport Amendment Bill into law, that team will have to conform to the Act. If not, they will be in contravention of the law. If that happens, they will be stopped. When the Australian cricket team were supposed to play in Zimbabwe their prime minister said the team would not be allowed to go because there were no human rights there, and the team didn’t go.
Our government will do the same. We will take appropriate action by stopping them from leaving the country if necessary. We will hit them hard. People must understand we are a government and South Africa is not a banana republic. Rugby wants to have its own government. This country has only one government, led by President Mbeki.
Long wins R500 for this week’s best question
What experience do you have in sports administration? — Lesedi Dibakwane, Pretoria
I was part of the administration of a team called Shamrock Flowers FC. Then I was part of the management of Welkom Real Hearts under the leadership of owner **** Nkuna. I know what football is all about, I know the challenges and I know all the other things in football.
Please explain what real transformation means to you and your committee? — Xolani Nkosi, Rosettenville
It means equal opportunities, open access, building non-racialism, non- sexism and contributing to a democratic South Africa. Those are the key pillars of transformation.
15 Jul 2007, 14:20 pm
Stodders
Ask your wife to bring you a copy of today’s edition on her return.
David
Did you read the part about rugby development in the townships, where he talks about water and sanitation?
Someone should ask this man why the government only spent R179,000 on black rugby development the last year.
That toothless IRB should get off its whiskey swirling carousel and get involved here.
And I hope the Oz government takes some stern action against Komphela’s libellous comments of its people.
15 Jul 2007, 14:22 pm
Stodders
No, ok, you have it.
15 Jul 2007, 14:23 pm
So, apparently, according to Mr Komphela, rugby in SA wants to have its own government.
When does the coup kick off? I’d love to see what an army of rugby players could do
I’m just being sarcastic of course if Mr Komphela is reading. I wouldn’t want to be a marked man now!
15 Jul 2007, 14:25 pm
“People must understand we are a government and South Africa is not a banana republic.”
Now that is irony
15 Jul 2007, 14:26 pm
Stodder
Yes, you might run into him soon, in CT!
15 Jul 2007, 14:26 pm
Pietman,
The bit I loved especially was Komphela’s answer to a question about his experience in sport’s administration. He answered:
“I was part of the administration of a team called Shamrock Flowers FC. Then I was part of the management of Welkom Real Hearts under the leadership of owner **** Nkuna. I know what football is all about, I know the challenges and I know all the other things in football.”
So according to Komphela, this limited experience in ONE sport is all you need to become chairman of the parliamentary sports committee who are repsonsible for ALL South African sports.
I’m penning a letter to the IRB. I wonder if they’ll respond.
15 Jul 2007, 14:26 pm
#25 David, there was an article a few months back on cricinfo about what actually happened to those guys after they toured they were treated as social outcasts back in the west indies. Many of them left the Windies, only one of them got to play for the windies again the rest were banned for life. A couple of them are now homeless drug addicts begging on the streets very depressing stuff what happened to those guys
15 Jul 2007, 14:29 pm
Was dit rassis?
15 Jul 2007, 14:29 pm
Check out his CV, where he is asked about his experience.
Shamrock Flowers en Welkom Real Hearts nogal, ek se jou!
15 Jul 2007, 14:31 pm
Eish…Im extremely patriotic for my country and have pride in my provincial and national sides (Bulle en Bokke), however I do not see how this is an act of racism by the Aussies.
15 Jul 2007, 14:34 pm
35# Stodders
My #38, I had exactly the same chuckle over here, very funny indeed!
What an a…hole this oke is.
Talking about a ‘banana republic’, hell, we have a Butana Republic.
15 Jul 2007, 14:34 pm
It’s not a racist thing. I bet you it was an attitude of we beat a second string team, so what we dont want the trophy.
This guy needs some salsa for that chip on his shoulder. Picking a person because of color is racist, two wrongs dont make a right people.
Having said this though in 2003 there were 120,000 registerd black players compared to 180, 000 white players.
If the numbers above are correct then white players only outnumber black player 1.5:1, thats not much at all. Why arent more of these players given opportunities at provincial level?
Perhaps the solution here is the critical evaluation of selection policies of provincial teams. Is this where the problem starts?
15 Jul 2007, 14:34 pm
nads
I’d love to have read the article. I know the ones who didn’t stay in SA like Clarke, Kallicheran, Haynes and a guy (all rounder)who played for FreeState, can’t remember his name, went to the UK.
Can you remember who the drop outs were?
15 Jul 2007, 14:35 pm
He must be talking about the ‘HUB CAP”!
Not holding the ‘hub cap’ is not a reflection or dislike of the former SA president but a true analysis of pathetic Bok team.
No point in being proud beating kids or taking candy from kindergarten children.
The Boks pride themseles in doing this but when beaten by men they blame the ref!
Komphela must have elections coming up soon…what away to get some media mileage.
15 Jul 2007, 14:37 pm
wp_boytjie,
Statistics hey.
If you had made that statement before this years Tri Nations you would have been correct.
In the last two years though, SA have won 1 and lost 4 to NZ. Oz have won 1 and lost 4 too in the last two years.
Statistics hey.
15 Jul 2007, 14:37 pm
“That is the same country where South African expats wave the Vierkleur flag”
Komphela you said it….”south africans”
15 Jul 2007, 14:37 pm
Girshin
That’s the major complaint. It’s difficult to establish the full picture, which is something that SARSU (South African Rugby Supporters Union) are currently trying to establish.
15 Jul 2007, 14:38 pm
“If you recall, during the times of the struggle for non-racial sport it was Australia who were pumping apartheid South Africa with rebel tours.”
I think he needs to get his facts before he rants..
15 Jul 2007, 14:40 pm
I think it is a case of give them enough rope…
See ya later Mr I worked in one z grade soccer club (for how long?) and now I can call other countries racist!
15 Jul 2007, 14:40 pm
Big fish in a little pond. I’d love to see the education levels among these politicians. How many of them have doctorates? Masters degrees? Ok then. How about mere Bachelors degrees? Because from their comments i see we are dealing with some real genius-types here. The kind that think dancing around in the front ranks of a group of toy-toying barbarians is qualification enough to warrant parliamentary appointments…
15 Jul 2007, 14:40 pm
“Komphela has featured prominently in the media this year and has come down on the South African Rugby Union for the slow rate of transformation in the sport. He confirmed the process will be an arduous one, but unless the opportunities for non-white players are increased at Currie Cup and Super 14 level, the Springbok side will continue to be predominantley white.
“Transformation can’t start from the top,†he said. “You need to build a solid foundation from the bottom up.”
Two paragrapghs and a contradiction…
Unless he thinks the CC is grass roots!
Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.