When Fikile Mbalula announced on April 25 that he was banning four sporting codes from hosting and bidding for major international tournaments as punishment for inadequate transformation records, the irony was blatant.Here was a sports minister who expected SA’s sporting bodies to hit their transformation targets at the top level when government was neglecting to supply the raw materials lower down.Mbalula’s release of the Eminent Persons Group report on transformation, with its sanctions for athletics, rugby, cricket and netball, raised some important questions.How could sports be expected to change their demographics at national level when the lack of facilities in government schools essentially leaves SA’s talent corralled in a handful of wealthy private schools?And while it is all well and good for politicians to hold sporting institutions to account in parliament every so often, who is holding Mbalula’s department to account?On top of the disappointment of losing a strong bid t...
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.