Cheeky Watson: "I regard myself as black"

He makes an interesting point about white South Africans that will find the soccer stadiums packed with white foreigners in 2010. I think by the same token African supporters will be rubbing shoulders with a lot of europeans in general. Will it be a happy rubbing or will fights break out? Because there does seem to be a strong legacy of rugby = white spectators and soccer = black spectators.

clipped from www.sowetan.co.za Q: Do you think there could be more black rugby fans going to matches if it were not for some reported racial incidents? If so, what can be done? A: I think the issue here is that since the unity process blacks generally, and I regard myself as black, don’t feel at home and don’t feel welcome as well. Here is an opportunity to turn the situation around . Q: Few white fans, on the other hand, attend soccer matches, do you think this augurs well for SA, which will be hosting the 2010 World Cup? A: It shows the disparity from the past where rugby was perceived to be a white sport and soccer to be a black sport. I think it is important that these things are addressed and aggressively so. What will white South Africans say when they see the stadiums fully packed with whites from other countries in 2010? It will break down the perceptions and show that we can watch sport together, unite and sing with one voice. It will also do a lot more for transformation and perceptions could be changed.