Tshwete under fire

As politicians squabble and contradict each other about sports policy, several of the country's leading sports leaders have turned their back on quota systems as an answer: among them is Dan Moyo, general secretary of the National Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa).

Moyo, along with Test players Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Adams, and Makhaya Ntini has pointed an accusing finger at maverick government solutions and they have been joined by junior provincial players who have become disenchanted with what is seen as ministerial meddling.

In a hard-hitting comment in The Sunday Times (Johannesburg), Moyo accused the government of ``falling back on easy answers, like shouting racism, every time something (negative) happens.''

He has supported the UCB's long-term efforts and goals to hasten the transformation process and introducing their own quota system, now known as ``fast tracking''.

Ms Xingwana, head of the ANC-led parliamentary committee on sport has also found herself being used for target practice as some top black sports administrators question her ability to take a balanced view of sport development in the country.

Accused of using the iron fist without a velvet glove routine, Ms Xingwana has threatened to introduce ``quota systems'' to enforce black representation at international level. Only the maverick madam at the weekend found herself at odds with Sports Minister Tshwete.

He contradicted Ms Xingwana by ticking her off with the question of ``how do you legislate on how teams should be selected?'' which seems to have thrown iced tea over the Xingwana doctrine.

While her outspoken views have helped give her a voice, it has not endeared her to Gibbs, Adams, Makhaya Ntini, Roger Telemachus and others.

It was also Moyo's view that Ms Xingwana's statement was ``reversing all the gains which had been made in sport since transformation began''.

A ``coloured'' sports journalist who wanted to remain anonymous, likened her to a dove trying to show off more fancied plumage than the others as she strutted about on a platform while government departments began planning for next year's election. He argued that Tshwete's department was under pressure because of the lack of results of blacks being included in cricket teams.

(This has since been rejected by Kahya Majola, a strong anti-apartheid activist and now in charge of the UCB's development programmes)

There is a mistaken impression among politicians that a large number of South Africans of ``all colour and persuasions'' were upset at the West Indies failure to beat Hansie Cronje's ``lilly white'' side. They had wanted to see Brian Lara's team ``blackwash'' the South Africans and when these expectations were thwarted by the tourists poor performances they turned on Tshwete, George (chairman of the National Sports Council) and Ms Xingwana seeking answers.

``There could be a lot of political motivation here, but the younger generation, those not affected by the apartheid system, want progress to sides on merit,'' he said in Port Elizabeth.

As the backlash starts to gain momentum at what some young players feel is misguided government administrative rhetoric, including that by some provincial administrators and academics, Gibbs made it known he considered himself selected on merit for the second test against the West Indies.

The Western Province batsman was one of those critical of the view he had been selected as part of the United Cricket Board's drive to include ``players of colour'' in the national team for future tests an internationals. Others, such as young Nqaba Matoti and Miriam Mokonyama spoke for a new generation of young sportsmen and women when they complained how politicians were still fighting a battle which placed pressures on them. ``We do not need this kind of pressure,'' said Matoti. ``None of us do. The quota system is demeaning. It is as if we're being told that we are only being selected because we are there to make up the numbers.

``That's not why I play. I want to be considered only as a merit selection.''

The criticism of Tshwete's plans to launch a national sports commission by April and George's comments that a quota system is now essential as well as a critical view of a variety of some provincial and/or club administrators, is causing its own polemic problems.

Ntini, as an example, said that ``nobody would be happy if they thought they were picked because of their colour''.

Roger Telemachus, still injured, felt strongly that ``I want to be in the side because I am good enough to play.''

A sample of quotes from young sportsmen and women said it was time the administrators as well as government officials stopped thinking of the past and worked toward a new future where merit was the only choice.

``You go to a high school these days and see groups of all colours, creeds and religious persuasion happily mixing together, playing cricket an enjoying each others company and what they are doing. They know nothing of apartheid and there is no colour bias.

``At junior school it is even better. they mix freely, without bothering whether you are black, coloured, Asian, Oriental or white. They are all together: demographic harmony.

``What do they know of politics? What do they know of this Xingwana person, or Tshwete? These kids want to play cricket and be happy. They go and watch a Test together and have fun on a day's outing. The politicians mean nothing to them. Not unless they come from an area where there are those who are trying to force their views and opinions on them.

``This is what we have to guard against; what we have to think about. They feel the quota system has forced players into sides and are embarrassed by it. ``Well, I have an answer for the politicians: they are not the ones who have to go an play and are then given a rough time because they are seen as affirmative action players.''

Majola, head if the UCB's amateur (development) wing, supported Moyo, and added that the UCB went through 15 months of transformation seminars to reach a stage where the sport had grown into ``something special'' for all.

``I don't think Xingwana understands what has been achieved and she is out of step by saying development has failed,'' he said. ``There are more black kids playing cricket than there were eight or nine years ago. Also at least 40 percent of the sides from under 19 to under 13 are made up of black youngsters.''

At some stage the politicians are going to be made accountable to the new generation of South African sportsmen and that is when the real fun will start.