About 100 members of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League gathered to hand over a memorandum to members of the SA Rugby executive committee on Tuesday‚ calling for an end to racism in rugby and for speedier transformation.
The handover took place at SA Rugby’s complex in Cape Town’s northern suburbs and was marred by one incident.
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After 90 minutes of waiting‚ the majority of the picketers stormed through the gated entrance‚ presumably making their way up the winding hill to SA Rugby’s offices.
Police intervened and the loud blast of at least one stun grenade dispersed the small crowd.
Executive committee members Tobie Titus and Francois Davids later met youth league members to accept the memorandum.
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“The ANC (Youth League) is here today to show its dissatisfaction and concern with the resistance towards transformation rugby sports (sic) in S A‚ while the progressive government is trying to redress the injustices of the past‚” ANC Youth League secretary-general Njabulo Nzuza read from the memorandum.
Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais
“The transformation of sport‚ like the rest of society‚ is not a choice. It is essential for moving the country forward and building one national identity.
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“SA Rugby must fully and totally embrace transformation‚ not because they are forced by the legislation.
Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais
"We are calling on SA Rugby to embark on a nationwide campaign to recruit talent in rural villages and townships and stop the skewed status quo.”
Davids accepted the memorandum in the absence of CEO Jurie Roux and president Regan Hoskins‚ who were in Dublin on World Rugby business.
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