Sport

Let me start off by saying that Caster Semenya is a chick until proven a dude. Oh, hang on, she has been proven to be a chick by her parents, her teachers and her friends, mind you. The accusations of racism levelled at the IAAF have been a bit excessive. But one can understand why […]

Once upon a time, a child was born to happy parents in Masehlong, in the Limpopo province, northern South Africa. As a young child, Caster Semenya understood she was different from the other girls. While the other petite girls were relishing their new socks at preschool, Caster was already the high jump champion in the […]

By Jennifer Thorpe Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old athlete from South Africa wins a race with such speed and skill that she becomes the target of “gender probes”. Now for those of you who aren’t already uncomfortable with the thought of any sort of probe, this one should make you run for the hills. For people […]

This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Peter de Villiers: Misunderstood genius or living on borrowed time?

This argument is based on race, it cannot be escaped. I refer you to the feast of international sporting content involving SA this past month — it has been awesome! As long as I have had a rich supply of the golden nectar of the gods, slivers of dried and salted animal carcass and toilet […]

1. Nothing is ever certain until the final whistle blows. 2. You might think you know where the game is headed, but that can all change in the 90th minute. 3. Underdogs can become finalists. 4. You can’t only defend; you can’t only attack. 5. South African fans are the most colourful, the most enthusiastic […]

When I chatted to Peter de Villiers in Soweto on Monday I told him how proud I was of his achievement in beating the British and Irish Lions the Saturday before which sentiment of course applies to “Mr Naughty” Dick Muir and Gary Gold. Unless my memory fails me prior to Pete and company we’ve […]

As you will see from the match report below I was of the firm belief that Bafana Bafana were absolutely magnificent against Brazil last night and are now as much a source of pride to the nation as our cricket and rugby teams. There is no doubt that Joel Santana has achieved this and with […]

By Roger Dickinson Prior to South Africa hosting and eventually winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup, then newly appointed South African minister of finance, Trevor Manuel, was severely criticised when he said he still supported the New Zealand All Blacks over the Springboks. This was heretical if not treasonous speech to many rugby-loving South Africans. […]

The last time I appeared in Protea Glen, Soweto, it was in court as a criminal attorney defending a man charged with murdering his fiancee. On that occasion hundreds of demonstrators harassed both the client and I as we attempted to seek justice from the magistrate rather than a mob. It turned out to be […]

Yesterday I covered one of the most uplifting events in the history of South African sport and race relations. It was the launch of the Lucas Radebe Sustainable Legacy Park in Protea Glen, Soweto, sponsored by Blue Label Telecoms and put together by the South African Rugby Legends Association (Sarla). It was a wonderful occasion […]