RACE AND HISTORY
This abnormal country needs a new approach to national identity
Negotiated, sharing particularism is a better alternative to secession as a morally proper solution to SA’s woes
Anyone bewildered by the level of coloured and African support for the All Blacks isn’t thinking hard enough. During apartheid the Springboks were the pride and joy of white SA, so support for rival teams was a natural outlet for struggle anger. And while we’re no longer living in a society where racial exclusion is official policy, there’s still a strong sense on the political left that things haven’t changed near enough — either on the rugby field or in society at large. For that fairly sizeable community the axing of the Springbok brand would be an important symbolic step. Iconography matters a lot and in the progressive mind the Springbok is associated not with on-field sporting success but also continuing sociopolitical subjection. "No normal sport in an abnormal society" was the South African Council on Sport’s (Sacos’s) passionate cry through the 1970s and 1980s, and it still rankles that rugby is one realm where white players (and fans) continue to predominate. As someone wh...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.