LETTER │Support Willemse in stand
Let me add to the chorus of South Africans who stand behind Ashwin Willemse, on his stance not to tolerate being patronised, victimised and labelled a “quota” player.
I laud Willemse for his boldness, calm demeanour and firm stance on what he feels was offensive, derogatory and callous behaviour.
What prompted Willemse to walk off set is something many black people experience daily.
It is that subtle undermining and condescending act, word or phrase that is difficult to prove, but you know it when you experience it.
Then you’re accused of being small, immature or not understanding.
What Willemse experienced is still sadly an experience for many South Africans today.
Our people often quit their jobs, retaliate violently or even “bite the dust” when experiencing condescending and patronising treatment, especially in the private sector.
Many sectors are still plagued by a subtle system of racial superiority – and inferiority.
The incident at the SuperSport studios should be investigated thoroughly, which should be followed by strong disciplinary consequences.
The statement made by Willemse pertaining to the alleged actions by Naas Botha and Nick Mallett should be regarded as serious and treated with the seriousness it deserves.
The working environment of anyone should be conducive, friendly and professional, where human dignity and values are practised.
I salute Willemse for standing up, and placing moral values and dignity first.It is recorded that Willemse played for the Springboks between 2003 and 2007, and in 2003 he was named South African player of the year, young player of the year and the player’s player of the year at the end of that season at only 22 years old.
The man is a professional and should be treated as such.
To brand Willemse a “quota” player, undermining and patronising him, is uncalled for and those guilty of these allegations should be suspended pending a penalty as determined by their peers.
I have always been high-minded in believing that the image portrayed by sports analysts during commentary was professional, and an image of our undying commitment to unity, and the embracing of our diverse culture, opinions and languages.
If an investigation proves Mallett and Botha guilty of ill-treating Willemse, then my high-minded opinion of transformation in sports will be seriously tarnished.
We cannot allow our people to be belittled, treated unfairly, or in a discriminatory and inferior way.
We are all equal, on and off the field, in or outside the corridors of our workplaces.
The incident on SuperSport where Mallett and Botha were allegedly party to insulting, dehumanising and patronising Willemse is characteristic of the attitude of “baas and boy” relationships regarding those of colour.
It is a mentality of the old apartheid superiority belief of “reserved only for us”.
We all know that it is possible for analysts to convey their comments in a subtle casual, concealed and clandestine racist manner in insulting black players, while at the same time promoting the abilities of other players of different pigmentation.
And if this is what happened at SuperSport studios, then I once again salute Willemse for bringing this into the public domain.
Prejudice of any sort must not and cannot be tolerated, and no stone should be left unturned to establish the facts and truth that offended Willemse and that resulted in him walking off the set. - ANC MPL Christian Martin, Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Bhisho
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