Racism's Sad Legacy (D)

I find it incredibly distasteful that at a time when we COULD be celebrating as a nation, (how much else is to feel this good about?) we choose rather to attack the heroes of the rugby world cup, and divide ourselves. When will we ever learn to enjoy being South Africans?

Of course many people are and have been. It’s just sad to see the aftermath of the RWC deteriorate into blogger basement debates on racism. Is that always where every achievement will gravitate back towards?

Because it’s always a choice. Focus on what’s wrong or focus on what can bring us together…

There have been at least two columnists (bloggers?) who have gotten on the Racism Bandwagon thanks to the Boks winning in France. There has also been plenty of reaction. It reminds me of terrorism, quite frankly.

You find a target, one that has a lot of attention, and one that could conceivably garner a lot more if attacked in the sweet spot, and then you make sure you time your terrorism just perfectly.

Why do you you think Jake White has left? Is White ahem, the best man to coach an All Black Team? Probably not, if your intention is just that, to paint first a certain sort of officials and a certain sort of player into a side, rather than starting where you should start: figuring out how to win, doing the math, do the work.

Some people - and I'm guessing they don't even play sport - seem to think you get to the top by playing eeni meeni myni mo. You win because you did more WORK, more preparation than anyone else.

Using the same sense SARU appear to be using, why do we have a white Brazilian coaching the almost All Black Bafana Bafana? Because the plan is to win, or at least attempt to do well. But see, these are actually irrelevant questions. The questions really being asked is:
how can we score a free pass, a free ride, a free handout, using the race card?
That really is what it looks like. There's not a love for the sport, there's a greedy sense of opportunism. And I agree: it's very sad. How can we ever win, not just rugby, but anything, business contracts, respect, international relationships, if this is our skewed, weaseling and money grubbing focus.

I've heard the argument about how hard it is for disadvantaged people to make the SA Rugby team. Well it should be hard - for everyone. Sorry but I don't believe - for a second - that Jake White chose his team based on anything other than merit. And how ironic that the world's player of the year is a non-white South African.

Now, though, we're supposed to anticipate seeing the sort of Affirmative Action in rugby as we've seen in cricket. I don't watch cricket any more. Somehow, at World Cup level, we manage to come up with a dismal performance. It beggars belief, but we do.
So now we're seeing SA Rugby Transform. No harm in that you think? It's the equivalent of a 9/11 attack on this nation. It's the equivalent to decapitating one of the most positive skyscrapers rising right now in the nation. Why do I say this? Because effectively the spirit of the nation is being crushed, when we should be celebrating and enjoying our place in the world. The current agenda demonstrates that politics and power are overtly, ostensibly more important than crowds of people - all people - coming together on the streets to demonstrate support for one another.

Yes, now's the time to attack, and we so we see stories and columns like these doing the rounds:

M&G: Racism 101: What is racism?
My last posting suggested that the decision to scrap Soweto off the Springbok victory parade was racist.

The Times: Black fans deserve rugby’s respect, too

I watched the Rugby World Cup at a friend’s place in the southern suburbs of the great city of Johannesburg. It was an instructive experience — not just watching the game itself, but watching those who were watching the game.

There were about 14 of us, all black. The tension was palpable right from the word go. There we were, huddled around the screen, with our sweaty palms wrapped around cups and glasses of our favourite beverages.

We sang along as the players broke into our national anthem. There were excited comments: “Hhawu, these white boys are actually singing our anthem!” It was as if we were relieved that the white players had humbled themselves enough to learn the Nguni part of the anthem.

NVDL: I just imagine a win in ANY other country; New Zealand, Australia, France, England...the LAST things they would do is immediately fire their coach (or let him go), then launch debates on how to change a team and other analyse the sideshow issues to death. Only in South Africa can we find a way to spoil the celebrations a soon as possible by bickering about what's not right.

Francois Pienaar provided this cogent response to Mr Khumalo's stirs on racism and rugby:
As mentioned before in other posts, and in support of your post, rugby cannot be transformed from the top down, it needs to start at grass roots. Get the facilities up, get the coaches there and then get the kids interested. well, how do you get them interested? Well, by winning. Whether the team is pink, blue or black, if they win, people will be interested period. If they don’t people won’t.

On the M&G blog I answered the question: What is racism, as follows:
Racism is a conscious effort to hurt, malign or in other ways infringe on another human being using their race (against them) as a means for this attack.

And then there are arguments and counterarguments about the 'official' definition of what racism is. Jeepers guys, that's helpful. Notice how we go from celebrating something, to getting so losty and sidetracked in the negative offshoots that we lose all the momentum we once had.

So I would say that Jake White has been a victim of racism, and so has this country. Why? Because they can. Unfortunately, as seems to be a lot we cannot but avoid on the African continent, this strategy from the top will effectively transform us - unless some sanity previals - also into first a losing rugby nation, and then a nation of losers, both economic and otherwise.

Jake Quits Boks (PRESS RELEASE)

Respect, honesty and dignity are among the values of the Springbok squad over the last four years. Given recent press statements indicating why I was not considered for the national coaching role next year I felt obliged to clarify a few points, so as to ensure the Springboks’ incredible success at the World Cup is not tarnished with misinformation or inaccuracy regarding my situation.

The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will be my last one as Springbok coach and I want to publicly thank the 72 players I have been privileged to be associated with in the last four years. The selectors and I capped 28 new Springboks in 53 Tests and to award a new player his Bok cap is among any Bok coach’s career highlights.

I’ve also had a wonderful support team within the management, most of who started with me four years ago and finished with a World Cup winners medal. I will thank them personally for their contribution when the team gets together and my hope is the decision-makers in South African rugby realize how talented these individuals are and look after them in a way befitting of the sacrifice they have made for South African rugby.

Personally, I am extremely disappointed at the manner in which the message of my supposed unavailability was conveyed to the public on Monday in a South African Rugby Union media release that stated I would not be considered for the job on the basis that I did not apply.
My contract as Springbok coach is clear that I was not obliged to apply and that all considerations would be discussed at my annual review. I did ask for time to consider my options as I was mindful of making a wrong decision based on emotion. This time was not afforded me and that is particularly disappointing.

The purpose of this statement is to put on record my passion for rugby in this country and for the Springboks. Hopefully it will also put an end to all the speculation regarding my perceived motives to stay or go.

For the record: It was the greatest honour to coach the Boks and no one can ever take away the memory of those four years. When I got the job I promised to instill and promote those values I believe should always be consistent with Springbok rugby. In 2004 the Boks were ranked sixth in the world and emotionally we were at a low after the disasters of 2003. I maintained at the time we had good enough players to win the World Cup. In those four years the Springboks won the Tri Nations, won the World Cup, won two International Player of the Year awards, two Coach of the Year awards and twice were recognized by the IRB as the team of the year. In that time we also beat every team on at least one occasion. To those players I want to say thank you. To the support staff an equal thank you.

Not only have you won the World Cup, but you have restored respect for the Bok jersey and you have honoured those values every young boy in this country should aspire to want to live.
I walk away with no regrets, but with plenty of sadness.

This is a time to thank people and from a rugby perspective I can’t emphasise enough the contribution of Eddie Jones in the last two months. The Bok team sponsor SASOL was huge in its contribution, on a personal level and in whatever the squad needs were. So too the input of the other rugby sponsors Vodacom, British Airways, Southern Sun and Absa.

Former President Nelson Mandela was a constant source of inspiration and President Thabo Mbeki was as inspirational in how he connected with the squad. I agree with President Mbeki when he says John Smit for president. We as South Africans have a special son in Smittie and let’s celebrate the qualities of the man.

Finally, to my family, to Deb and the boys I would never be able to thank you enough for allowing me to pursue my dream.

The next guy will need everyone’s support because as wonderful as it is to coach South Africa, it can be particularly lonely at times.
I wish him all the best.
Thank you.

More stories:
Jake: I was pushed
Saru not waiting for White
Jake may opt for Wallabies job

NVDL: So it's a fight for the spoils now. Everyone wants to get their hands in SA rugby's money pot. SA rugby - will it ever be the same again?

On eTV last night White was interviewed on 3rd Degree, but more telling was what was said on the news, that White had never submitted an application and had apparently missed a deadline. Appealing on us to focus on these technicalities demonstrates a lack of...what is it...transparency and the shrouding of darker motivations.

Springboks Interviewed at Newlands Stadium (VIDEO)

BOKS: Dankie vir die moerse Babbalas

NVDL: Right now the Boks are within about a mile of where I am. I have, at various levels of intoxication, sworn that I am their most loyal supporter. I have cheered them on, stormed the TV whilst they did their scrums and rucks. Was ANYTHING going to come between me and the parade? Of course not.

Voice Offstage: Nick, it's raining outside.

NVDL: Okay leave it.
Read THOUSANDS CHEER BOK PARADE here.

Rain on Bok Parade

In Pretoria earlier today, the parade got off to a more miserable start than anyone expected. Green Sasol emblazoned umbrellas covered many of the blazer clad Boks huddling on the upper deck of the Bok Bus. Camera footage we've seen so far was splattered with raindrops.

Bloemfontein ought to have better weather tomorrow. Weather reports predict a 24 degree Maximum.

Bok Parade Today (MAP)

Joburg Route (POST LUNCH)

13h15 Arrival at Sasol office complex; team lunch

14h15 Team heads for Johannesburg CBD, past Absa HQ in Rissik Street
Proceed through CBD towards M1 South
Takes the N12 (Bloemfontein) highway until the N3 (Pretoria) highway
Proceed in the direction of Pretoria until William Nicol off-ramp
Right into William Nicol and proceed for approx 2.5 km
Right into Montecasino Boulevard

16h30 Squad arrival at Montecasino
17h00 Supersport Special Victory show start
18h00 Supersport show ends

Graphic from here.

Boks Parade Route + Times

Pretoria - Today

10:00 Springboks meet President Mbeki at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
11:00 Springboks depart the Union Buildings

11:10 Victory parade busses meet at Southern Sun Pretoria, corner of Beatrix & Church Streets; 11:20 Departure for ticker-tape parade in Pretoria; Exit down Leyds Street and turn right (west) into Church Street; Left (south) into Prinsloo Street; Right (west) into Pretorius Street; Left (south) in Schubart Street; Schubart flows into Ben Schoeman Highway (N14);
12:30 Proceed on the highway & take the M1 South.
Turn off for drive past Vodaworld in Midrand; Proceed back to highway (M1 South); Take the Glenhove Offramp right towards Rosebank over Oxford Road; Right into Sturdee Street.
13:15 Arrival at Sasol office complex; team lunch
14:00 Team departure from Sasol offices

Joburg

14:15 Team heads for Johannesburg CBD, past Absa HQ in Rissik Street; Proceed through CBD towards M1 South; Takes the N12 (Bloemfontein) highway until the N3 (Pretoria) highway; Proceed in the direction of Pretoria until William Nicol off-ramp; Right into William Nicol and proceed for approx 2.5km; Right into Montecasino Boulevard.
16:30 Squad arrival at Montecasino

Above info from Highveld.co.za

Bloem - Tomorrow

09h00 Team departs to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Houghton, Johannesburg
09h30 Arrival at the Mandela residence
10h00 Team meets former president and Nobel Peace winner Nelson Mandela
11h00 Team departs to the O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
12h30 Team departure to Bloemfontein (BA chartered flight)
13h30 Arrival at the Bloemfontein airport

14h00 Arrival at Grey College
Mayor of Bloemfontein to deliver opening address
Q & A with Jake and John

15h30 Team departure to Vodacom Park
17h15 Halftime of Absa Currie Cup Final
Team to perform lap of honour

Durban - Sunday

19h30 Team departure to Durban
20h30 Arrival at Durban International Airport
Sunday 28 September
09h00 Team depart hotel to commence ticket-tape parade from City Hall
11h30 Team arrival at hotel, lunch
12h00 Depart for airport

PE

14h00 Arrival at Port Elizabeth airport
14h15 Departs for Greenacres Shopping complex
Team appearance and entertainment
15h15 Depart Greenacres for PE airport
17h30 Departure to Cape Town

Cape Town

18h30 Arrival at the Cape Town International Airport
19h00 Departs for team hotel
Monday 29 October
06h15 Selected Springbok players to SABC
07h00 Morning Live interviews
10h45 Team departure to City Hall, Cape Town
11h15 Team arrival at City Hall
11h30 Players greet Capetonians from balcony of the City Hall
Mayor to deliver speech

12h00 Players board bus, start of street parade
From Darling Street right into Adderley Street
Along Adderley, right turn into Strand Street
Up Strand Street and left into Long Street
Along Long Street, right into Buitensingel
Up Buitensingel and right turn into Loop Street
Along Loop Street and right into Hans Strijdom Avenue
Left turn into Heerengracht at the Fountain Circle, right turn into Hertzog Boulevard
Along Hertzog Boulevard, onto M3 to Woolsack Drive turnoff

13h15 Woodsack Drive turnoff, down towards Main Road, turn right into Main Road
Along Main Road and left turn into Boundary Road, Newlands
13h45 Arrival at Newlands Rugby Stadium
Team enters the stadium, parades World Cup to Capetonians
Handing over of Webb Ellis Trophy by John Smit to SARU president, Oregan Hoskins on the field
Team enters the Function Room for brief function
Above schedule courtesy saru.co.za