The Springbok emblem controversy

Submitted by Patric Tariq Mellet

It seems that there is a poor understanding of the history of the anti-apartheid struggle when it comes to the Springbok brand. It is the one brand of which all national groups may well be proud. Butana Komphela has asked for any evidence that evidence exists in history for such an assertion. Well, here is some evidence.

After black and white South African troops fought the Nazis and fascists in Europe, they returned to a South Africa that saw the rise to power of the neo-fascist apartheid order. Thousands of ex-servicemen lead by the War Veterans’ Action Committee — which included a number of communists — established the “Springbok Legion” with an ace war pilot of “Battle of Britain” Spitfire fame, Adolf “Sailor” Malan, as its leader.

The Springbok Legion, in the words of Malan, was established to oppose the police state, abuse of state power, censorship, racism, the removal of the coloured vote and other oppressive manifestations of the creeping fascism of the National Party regime. The Springbok Legion mobilised a torch commando of progressive ex-servicemen and its rallies had as many as 75 000 people in attendance.

In a speech at a rally outside City Hall in Johannesburg, war hero Malan made reference to the ideals for which World War II was fought: “The strength of this gathering is evidence that the men and women who fought in the war for freedom still cherish what they fought for. We are determined not to be denied the fruits of that victory.”

At the height of its existence, the Springbok Legion attracted more than 250 000 members who proudly stood up against racism and fascism under the Springbok emblem. I’m amazed that nobody raises this fact in defence of the Springbok legacy as a uniting symbol, even though there is the disgusting parallel history of all-white sport using the same emblem. If we aim to unite the people of South Africa as one nation, we also have to look at the ties that bind us, and of which we can be proud. This should also inform our discourse and debates.

It is important too that we nurture the memory of those in the white community who stood up against apartheid and ensure that progressive Afrikaners such as “Sailor” Malan and Bram Fischer became role models for the younger generation of whites. Malan was one of the most highly decorated heroes of World War II and bravely led ex-servicemen against the apartheid regime.

Instead of taking decisions of a punitive nature, such as removing the Springbok emblem, the emblem can be used as a tool to educate people by highlighting the other facets of its history. If we are to build one united nation, we cannot lose such opportunities to highlight the ties that bind us historically. Doing otherwise would be foolish, destructive and selective about what we see in history.

There are many examples to show that the protea was also used by the apartheid regime, but it would be equally absurd to reject using this magnificent national flower because of abuse. The world knows the Springbok brand — perhaps it is time that today’s South Africa and the world also know about the other stories behind the Springbok emblem. Let’s not waste an important opportunity for nation-building.

Patric Tariq Mellet is an ANC supporter with 37 years of active experience in the movement who is concerned about the level and tone of debates and the drift towards irreconcilable polarisation and the formation of a new carbon-copy ANC. His chief concern is that South Africa and in particular our majority poor have put their hopes and trust in the ANC for a better life for all and he feels that this has been neglected by a range of indulgent behaviours all round