The brothers grim: Enter the Stofiles

On the night of the 27th of December 1944, squadrons of Allied B24 bombers pounded Hamburg into dust — which coincidentaly also happens to be the date that Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile, South Africa’s Minister of Sport and Recreation, was born. Left unchecked he and his brother Mike could well do to rugby and soccer what those planes did to that German city.

Who will ever forget the message that Makhenkesi sent to the Springbok rugby team prior to the World Cup. In essence it was that the squad does not represent South Africa as a new country. In that he meant that there weren’t enough black players in the squad.

This is ironic because he was one of the most outspoken voices during apartheid against racism in sport. Insisting players be chosen based upon their race is of course known as racism. (I checked to see if he was a doctor, but alas, no. The oath he took was the hypocritic oath).

Stofile’s criticism of the Springboks was at odds with his support for the Proteas cricket team. There he allowed and indeed supported a team without a single black player. Consistency thy middle name is certainly not (Benedict) Arnold.

But all of that pales into insignificance if you look at his current suggestion — nationalising Bafana Bafana.

Needless to say, the players have already lambasted the idea — which is nothing compared to what the bosses of the PSL clubs must be thinking about now. I’m sure Dr Khoza (of the magnificent Bucs), Kaizer and Jomo must be wondering what they did in a previous life to deserve this genius.

They have spent millions developing their clubs, bringing in players and building up squads in order for a politician to step in and handpick those players most valuable to them because he can’t get the national team right. So not only aren’t we getting development right, now we have to decimate the clubs who are starting to attract incredible financial backing and television income.

Minister, a small suggestion. Try explaining why our grassroots are not receiving anywhere near the support they should be and how the national broadcaster lost the rights to every sport instead of interfering with the running of our top sides.

Like Stofile I am not a doctor but I can spot a case of Foot and Mouth disease when I see one — the only time our minister opens his mouth is to change feet.

Returning to rugby, the minister can do the game a major service by simply asking his brother to pull out of the race for the presidency of Saru.

As I stated previously, Mike Stofile would be a very bad idea for South African rugby.

This was even before he slated Peter De Villiers for selecting John Smit as his first captain.

Left to Mike Stofile, in my humble opinion, SA rugby will be lost in a wilderness so dense that not even Moses will be able to lead them out. It will be all about the president and nothing to do with the players.

I have been contacted by many players and ex-players, who can’t put their names forward as it will damage their careers, who are in no doubt that if Stofile comes in then rugby is in serious trouble.

Most predict that the game will be damaged so badly that the Springboks will no longer be a force in world rugby. This is incredible if you consider we are world champions.

The time has come for the Stofiles to do what is in the best interest of South African sport — moving into business or politics — away from soccer, rugby or cricket.

Perhaps we can set up a fund to send them to Australia or England … or anywhere.