Semenya debacle exposed South Africans true colors, their ingratiated vanity, and self serving narcissism

SHOOT: Lest we forget that not a single political voice advocated caution. Many figures grandstanded, including ordinary citizens. When the story first broke I was one of many in a newsroom, glued to a television. While some found it funny, almost everyone agreed that this sort of scrutiny wasn't in Semenya's interests. Yet many South Africans lashed out at international criticisms calling it racism. Who took the global view which was: did Caster have an unfair advantage or not? The debate instead became chest beating narcissism - especially from Chuene.

This sets a dangerous precedent for future issues, which require subtle understanding, not loud and provacative grandstanding or rhetoric. Those who made the most noise on the Semenya issue - including the local newspapers - ought to be most ashamed. Do you hail a champion when you don't know for sure that it's deserved?Do you take the populist stance and agitate, do you Malemise an issue, or do you focus on calm, on listening, on gathering the facts and wait and see despite the clamour for blood from a mob ready to rampage? This says a lot about our ethics and our ability to indulge our passions rather than be intellectually reasonable, rationaland let's face it, serve good and right rather than what feels good and right.

clipped from www.mg.co.za Semenya threatens legal action against the Guardian An "exclusive interview" published in the newspaper on Friday quoted Semenya saying "people want to stare at me now". "Our client has instructed us to convey that she continues to refuse to grant interviews to any persons," the law firm stated. The paper denied that Semenya had been tricked into an interview and told the Associated Press the reporter who wrote the article had been invited to speak to her. - Sapa