Sorry Naas, Springbok emblem goes far deeper than that

Francis Fukuyama, professor of international political economy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, in an article entitled “The damage to Brand USA needs urgent repair”, submits that the damage to the American brand will be far more costly to the United States than the implosion of its investment banks.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4937563.ece
“After 9/11 Americans proved distressingly ready to give up constitutional protections for the sake of security. Guantanamo Bay and the hooded prisoner at Abu Ghraib have replaced the Statue of Liberty as symbols of America in the eyes of many non-Americans.” (Francis Fukuyama)

In essence that people when confronted with difficulties will abandon even those things that they hold dear in the name of expedience. Freedoms that had been won through centuries of sacrifice and bloodshed relinquished in the blink of an eye. Long-term the impact of this type of approach will be keenly felt long after the basis giving rise therefore has disappeared.

In the case of Guantanamo Bay a precedent was set whereby arrest, “interrogation” and detention without anything approaching due process were accepted with barely a whimper; in the name of the “War on terror”. The precedent having been set, all that remains to be seen is what other “wars” will require this form of special treatment. In the “War on economic meltdown” who else would become eligible? Muslims, Chinese, Jews?

Fantastic, can’t be?

Twenty years ago if anyone had described “Rendition flights” and “Guantanamo Bay” as products of the United States they would have been laughed off the television screen as some sort of lunatic. The next step, which might well be necessary in the name of economic expedience, is not as far away as you might think.

The people of the United States should have refused to accept this as the price for their safety. The cost to their freedom far outweighs the very limited benefit that this barbaric behavior has brought. This was abandoning responsibility in the name of expedience.

Some things are worth fighting for.

As most people are aware the Springbok emblem for the South African rugby team has once again became the centre of furious debate. An emblem which formed part of South Africa’s heritage long before the arrival and departure of apartheid. A symbol of the one sport that has achieved success and recognition of South African excellence the world over.

A sport that Madiba used to bridge the gap between races and which proudly denounces racism wherever it arises. Where both World Cup winning captains sought approval from all South Africans. Where John Smit lambasted those who would waive old South African flags in his face.

A sport that has tackled grassroots transformation more than the overwhelming majority of other sports.

A sport where any youngster with aspirations to achieve at the highest level dreams of wearing that symbol, not a King Protea or anything else.

Accordingly it is racism and prejudice which has to be taken out of the people not the emblem off the shirt.

Naas Botha has suggested that if this is going to become an ongoing bone of contention then let’s get shot of the Springbok now rather than later. In his opinion the issue of representing your country being more important than the emblem or the colour of your jersey. Don’t mistake what Naas has said with his being disapproving of the emblem; he is in favour of the Springbok but tired of the never ending arguments surrounding its continued existence.

If we adopt that line we will in essence be abandoning everything of value, every time something worth preserving comes under constant attack; explain away its importance in terms of not being worth the constant bickering or in terms of there being other more important factors like representing your country.

If that be so you could abandon just about anything.

Soccer in the meanwhile is embarrassing us in terms of performance, transformation, selling the television rights outside the national broadcaster, paying outrageous sums to owners, managers and so on and so nauseas. Our Olympic team spent an unmitigated fortune in retrieving one silver medal from the Beijing Games.

If I was associated with any of the sports concerned I would be in the witness protection programme answering to the name of Kevin Faust. Yet for some reason we have hardly heard a word said in anger regarding those real problem areas.

Indeed the racist connotation of the Springbok is generally raised by one of South Africa’s biggest racists, Mr Komphela, of the parliamentary oversight committee. The man who comes up with pearls of wisdom regarding whites and Indians. His presence or its continuation must surely be an oversight on someone’s part all on its lonesome. Obviously they somehow keep forgetting he is there.

The issue is not the emblem nor the players nor even the policies of South African Rugby; it’s the same old mentality of those refusing to accept the changes to our country. While enormous changes have been made to street names, hospitals and the like without any fuss, the Springbok has great emotional value to many South Africans. It should not be sacrificed for those who cannot get past their own prejudices because we’re tired of arguing about it.

Then we get geniuses like Luke Watson bleeding all over us about how people sacrificed so much so that he could live in a changed society. Like the child in the car crying “I’m thirsty mommy” for an hour until you get to a garage. As soon as he’s had a drink the next hour involves “Boy was I thirsty”. Maybe he’ll wake up someday and live in the new South Africa rather than carrying on like some feeble echo from a past he never manned for any significant portion of his life.

The ANC has recognised the significance and value of this emblem to many of our people across the colour lines.

Do not abandon it simply because people are making a noise and it seems to be never- ending. Rather draw attention to areas that need attention and if Komphela wishes to carry on with the emblem issue while our Soccer and Olympic teams are a disgrace then obviously either the Springbok or Mr Komphela has to go.

Guess which one?