Here we go again. For the umpteenth time, the issue of whether the Springbok, as the emblem for the South African national rugby side, should be scrapped is once again being debated. The poor old Bok has emerged from these debates before, bloodied and in need of intensive care. This time, however, it looks terminal. By the time you read this, it could be dead.
My initial reaction, as a rugby mad South African who has supported the Bokke since my childhood, is one of despair and of anger. It is a symbol that means so much to me. To me, it represents South Africa as world beaters. To me, it represents my national pride.
But to many South Africans it represents something else entirely. To many, it represents our divided past, Afrikaner entitlement and/or white arrogance.
In short, it embodies what is right and what is wrong in our complex nation.
When I read the news articles that quote South Africans who are opposed to the retention of the emblem, I get a sense of why the Springbok is endangered.
"The Springbok divides us. We have a responsibility to unite our country on one national emblem... I want you to observe the arrogance of white people over the Springbok emblem," says controversial chairman of Parliament's sports portfolio committee Butana Komphela.
"Many people now see Mandela's (gesture of reconciliation at the 1995 World Cup final) as a mistake," Qasim Bhorat, a team doctor for the Soweto rugby club, is quoted as saying in an article in the UK's Guardian newspaper. "This is the last stand of the Afrikaner. They believe rugby belongs to them and they don't want to give it up."
As so often happens in South Africa, the real issue is about race. A lot of white South Africans, rightly or wrongly, feel relatively powerless in the South Africa of today, disadvantaged, marginalised and unable to make an impact in the politics of the land. Rugby - and the Springbok emblem - has assumed a massive role in defining white South African culture. For many, it's what they have left.
Taking away something that they hold so dear would be a massive blow, a blow to their very psyche and, instead of uniting the country, I think it would further polarise white and black South Africans. But here's the rub: I think that whites, not politicians, are to blame.
It was Mandela's magnificent gesture in 1995 that showed the power of reconciliation. It couldn't have been easy for Madiba, but it paid off handsomely. It showed his willingness to compromise for the greater good of South Africa. But how have whites responded? How have they compromised? I don't think that white South Africans have given much in return and if they have, then it is been under duress and with reluctance.
Nowhere is this more apparent that in our rugby stadiums when the Springboks are playing. While, thankfully, the old South African flag is no longer being waved in our rugby stadiums, listening to the anthem being sung before Test matches is revealing. The "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica" part is barely audible as the crowd mumbles its way through it, but the anthem comes to life during the singing of "Die Stem". This is another example of many white South Africans' appalling response to the spirit of compromise that made our peaceful transition to democracy possible.
White South Africans will point to the national jubilation and sense of national unity following the 1995 and the 2007 World Cup victories. They will talk about the crowds at the national victory parades that represented the full spectrum of our rainbow nation. It's one of the most powerful brands in world rugby; it's worth a fortune! Black South Africans wear the Springbok jersey in shopping malls on the day of the big game! We have a black Springbok coach, for goodness sake, and the team that thumped Australia 53-8 earlier this year had six black Springboks in the starting line-up...
But while those arguments have definite merit, it's just not enough. For the Springbok to be maintained, white South Africans have to do more to show that we are capable of compromise too.
Of course, I am making massive generalisations and I know that there are many white South Africans who have embraced these realities. But as a collective, and it pains me to say this, white South Africans are responsible for the death of the Springbok.
For me, it's a clarion call for white South Africans. Getting rid of the Springbok will address the symptom and not the cause, but it is an indication that Khompela et al have lost patience and are using the Springbok to strike at the heart of white South Africa. It is a powerful statement and it is meant to hurt.
I hope that my beloved Springbok lives to fight another day. I still believe it could play an important role in South Africa's progress, as a source of national pride and of our reconciliation between our people. I still believe that it could become the symbol that binds us rather than divides, a constant reminder of what we are capable of.
It may be too late to do anything to save the Springbok now; the horse may have already bolted. Whatever the outcome, I hope we can learn the lessons that are there to be learnt.
Black South Africans have shown incredible patience, magnanimity and a willingness to compromise. But that patience is starting to wear thin. The more white South Africans resist the changes that need to happen in South Africa and in our hearts, the more we will be marginalised and the more we stand to lose.
By Ian Macdonald
SUBSCRIBER COMMENTS
We received a lot of response to last week's newsletter article on the potential death of the Springbok emblem. It is certainly an emotive issue! Most of the respondents added to the debate, some were strongly supportive, some very opposed and some seemed to miss the point entirely. Here is a selection of some of the responses:
"There will always be a few million people who will have issues with something and a few million others who don't. These guys are just out to annoy the s--t out of the "currently disadvantaged" for personal or politically correct reasons. I am sure their time and effort can be spent better in creating a better future than to look back all the time to make up for their inability to be creative."
"As a black South African, it humbles me to see that there are white South Africans who can stand back, look at issues and interpret them fairly and squarely. I particularly find the last statement: "The more white South Africans resist the changes that need to happen in South Africa and in our hearts, the more we will be marginalised and the more we stand to lose," to be very true, not only for rugby or sport, but for everything that affects us. Nobody wants white people to give up rugby; we want white people to share it."
"Rugby represents, in microcosm, where South Africa is today. Nelson Mandela and the ANC created a massive window of opportunity for South Africa to get its game in order. If the entrenched racism of a minority is allowed to fester and become a pus-filled sore, that window will inexorably close. It is incumbent on all South African to ensure this does not happen."
"The government is disrespecting the constitution that oppressed people fought for and priveleged people voted for (remember the referendum where WHITE PEOPLE OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED FOR CHANGE?). It angers me that you accuse white South Africans of being opposed to compromise. Indeed, you were generalising."
"I don't believe (Khompela's) views are representative of even 2% of South African's. Just walk around looking at the number of people of colour wearing rugby jersies. Why should the majority be dictated to by the few? Sounds like a return to the old days."
"I also responded initially with anger and frustration but I've mellowed my response to take acknowledgement of the anger felt by what appears to be a minority of black South Africans on this issue. Yes, the Springbok symbol was divisive in the past but I really don't think it's divisive anymore. I hope that before they scrap it they canvas a wide selection of South Africans to hear what ordinary men and women (and kids) think."
"I totally agree with your sentiments regarding the Springbok - I love it, and would hate to see it discarded, but unfortunately white South Africa, and rugby in particular, has been slow to reconcile with fellow black South Africans, and this is the symbolic price we pay. I was deeply saddened recently when SA rugby was so slow to condemn the outbreak of white on black violence that occurred at several rugby matches. I was also really angry that SA rugby had to be pressurised into doing a victory lap of Soweto after winning the World Cup. It should have been part of the original victory lap - without question! hen are we going to learn that unity does not happen spontaneously? It takes good will, commitment, understanding and generosity on both sides. I have seen this a million times from black South Africans. I have rarely witnessed it from white South Africans. Instead, they spend their time whinging about what isn't and planning to emigrate the minute things get a little tough. I often feel ashamed to be white."
