In a sea of ANC-created mediocrity, it seems to be an embarrassment for the ruling party when ordinary South Africans excel – particularly when white individuals or sportspeople have contributed to the achievement.
According to a media report (Rapport; SKOK-VERSLAG: Bok-span is te wit, kla Saru), the South African Rugby Union (Saru) is dissatisfied with the apparent lack of transformation of rugby teams. Saru is, of course, being pressured by government to achieve certain transformation targets to ward off any critique of the ANC.
The FF Plus has, however, been unable to find any recent instances where government has critiqued the country’s national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, which is currently ranked 59th by FIFA, the governing body of international soccer. Nor any instances where the team’s composition was questioned.
In rugby terms, the soccer team’s performance could be equated to a country such as Luxemburg which is currently 59th on the World Rugby rankings.
When the ANC government does excel, it is for all the wrong reasons. When it comes to levels of crime, unemployment, poor service delivery and healthcare, and corruption, the country is quickly starting to take the lead internationally.
According to the Global Organized Crime Index, criminality increased sharply in South Africa over the last two years and in 2023 the country was ranked seventh out of 193 countries in the world.
South Africa is also ranked third in Africa as regards mafia-style criminal networks and organised crime syndicates. Widespread corruption as a result of government’s policy of patronage plays a significant role in all this.
So, the news that Saru offered only criticism and dragged skin colour into a sport where the country’s sportsmen have reached the top can only be met with utter disbelief.
South Africa’s rugby team currently holds the top spot in the international rugby rankings and is the world champion. People of all colours were truly proud of the team representing all races.
And it seems that all South Africans accept that fair transformation measures are a given.
What is happening now, however, serves as a shining example of how imposed cosmetic transformation is trampling one of the best success stories in the country’s recent history for the sake of the ANC’s failed political ideology.
The Springboks are the epitome of success based on merit, regardless of race. This recipe for success should be built and maintained through proper development from school level. It could be equally successfully implemented in all other fields as well.
But under ANC rule – where funds earmarked for sporting facilities are stolen instead of used to uplift the youth, particularly in less privileged areas – it simply will not happen.
Everything the ANC touches is a total disaster, and not even the Springbok team is safe. Over the past few years, Rassie Erasmus and his team have done more to promote transformation and nation building in South Africa than the ANC could in thirty years.
The team’s success is built on a foundation of hard work, commitment, respect, integrity and merit, and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the best South African players will be selected to play for the team, regardless of their skin colour.
In contrast, with its broken promises, racist and polarising legislation, fraud, corruption, bad governance and even worse allies, the ANC has earned the country skunk status.
This also proves that the time for race-based legislation and transformation targets is over. It is time for a new government which knows that the country can only be rebuilt and restored through excellence.
It will entail equal opportunities for all in every field, not just on the sports field. What is most important is to make sure no-one can say that they did not have the same opportunities to reach the top as all the rest.
The ANC is using skin colour to divide the country and its people. The FF Plus believes that our diversity should rather be used as a drive to become the best in the world, just like the victorious Springbok team did.
It can be done – but without the ANC. Rassie and his team proved it is possible.
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