Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni said on Tuesday he was an avid fly-fisherman, and he wanted to encourage black South Africans to take up the sport.
Speaking at the launch of the fourth edition of the Nedbank Guide to Fly-fishing in Southern Africa, Mboweni said: ”Whenever I tell people about my fly-fishing hobby, the natural reaction is: ”Oh goodness me, there goes another ‘darkie’ into the white person’s world. This should not be the case. This is a sport for all.”
Mboweni said apartheid had denied black people the opportunity to move around freely. ”Now that is gone and so we have to mobilise many to join us (in fly-fishing). We should start by targeting and recruiting leading figures amongst the black middle class in the same way or even better than the golfing fraternity has done. ”… by bringing in many black people into this sport, we will be playing our little role in creating non-racialism in South Africa… no sport or recreational activity must be seen to be in any way black or white, but must be truly South African — black, white and women.
Mboweni said the Nedbank guide to fly-fishing provided a comprehensive study of all fly-fishing species throughout the country, together with maps, types of flies to use, articles on tactics and tackle and accommodation venues.
He congratulated the Federation of Southern African Fly-fishers (Fosaf), on the publication. ”Fosaf has played a special role in the growth of fly-fishing over the years (since 1986).”
Fosaf had recognised that fly-fishers and conservationists need to collaborate to secure the future of freshwater angling.
Mboweni said fly-fishing was a growing sport in South Africa. A recent survey found that 300 000 people fly-fished in the past year.
”This is very good news indeed for tourism and job creation.”
Mboweni said much of the credit must go to the clubs that have played a significant role in the development of fly-fishing in South Africa.
”These clubs have provided the management and human resources for Fosaf to function.
”Clubs provide expertise and manage fisheries on a volunteer basis. I am of the opinion that public waters should continue being managed by clubs with proven track records.
”As non-profit entities, clubs provide good quality, low cost angling, which is a prerequisite for the growth of the sport and tourism, which in turn creates job opportunities,” Mboweni said. – Sapa