Don’t ‘quota’ me, but…
It’s been proposed that it be mandatory for all our sporting teams in South Africa to be represented by at least 60% black people. And certain groups aren't very happy about this. Darren shares his views.
Our Minister of Sports Fickle Mbalula….my apologies - Fikile Mbalula - has now proposed that it be mandatory for all our sporting teams in South Africa to be represented by at least 60% black people. And certain groups are really complaining about this.
I don’t see how this is wrong. There is obviously something not working correctly; I mean 20 years into our democracy and our sports teams are still not representative of the demographics of South Africa.
I can’t say where, or how, it is going wrong but from a governmental as well as a leadership perspective – it simply has to be addressed.
Fickle's caustic, antagonistic approach is questionable and his timing suspicious but his claims are sound.
84% of school leavers in South Africa are black - this is a fact.
These numbers should reflect in our sporting teams, in our businesses and, quite frankly, in all spheres of South African life. The very fact that it doesn’t after SO much cajoling and pleading and putting structures in place to incentivize this thinking is indicative that somewhere along the line something is not being addressed.
My opinion - when somebody says that we should have at least 60% black player representation in our soccer, rugby, cricket, athletics and netball teams….it just makes sense!!
Think about it – we live in South Africa which is in Africa, which is predominantly black, and so therefore black people should be represented.
This is not a reactionary comment nor do I say it as a neo-liberal “white guy” but the unassailable South African truth is that there is an 80% black population.
After 20 years of equality there is no conceivable reason why one race should be superior to another. Once you have eliminated genealogy the only remaining impediment must be sociology.
And it is our responsibility and not the governments to correct this imbalance.
Are you opposed to Darren’s view? Or do you agree with him?
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