Editorial: Gun to the head of sports bodies
UNLESS South African sport gets its act together regarding transformation, then it is unlikely that the country will see major international tournaments in the near future.
The topic of transformation is always a hot potato in South Africa with some suggesting selection should be on merit only.
However, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has left nobody in any doubt that South Africa is lagging badly when it comes to transformation.
The outspoken sports minister, who also goes by the nickname of “Mr Razzmatazz”, has suspended the privileges of South African rugby, cricket, netball and athletics from bidding to host international tournaments due to their not meeting transformation targets.
With this gun to their heads, the affected sports bodies are all likely to hold urgent reviews into their policies when it comes to selection and quotas. They will have some time to get their house in order because Mbalula says he will be reviewing his decision when considering the results of the 2016-17 Transformation Barometer.
Mbalula said it was morally the correct thing to do when the grave injustices of the past were considered and that it was strategically necessary.
Leaning on statistics to make his case, Mbalula highlighted that 84% of the countr y’s under-18 population was black African and only 16% was white, coloured and Indian.
The passionate sports minister said to ignore this from a sustainability perspective alone would be suicidal.
Not even the South African Football Association (Safa) could escape Mbalula’s wrath during the meeting of the Eminent Persons Group of Transformation in Sport.
Though Safa had met its target in terms of transformation, he lashed at the slow pace of introducing soccer at private schools.
It is unclear when the results of the transformation barometer will be released next year, but one can expect frantic activity within the various sports bodies to redress the imbalance.
It is hoped Mbalula and the government will provide financial muscle the bodies require as they bid to fast-forward black talent.
