Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile, while congratulating the performance of rugby teams, still wants the South African Rugby Union (Saru) to work on racial transformation in the sport.
”The minister has a long history of rugby administration and participation. His praise of the teams does not in any way represent a change of heart on certain issues,” departmental spokesperson Mahlubandile Mageda said on Monday.
”He will always love the sport and support the players, but feels the issue of racial transformation still has to be addressed by Saru,” Mageda said.
Transformation is an issue that Saru has to deal with on behalf of the government, and the minister will keep urging Saru to do so.
”The sports department as part of government cannot enforce transformation in rugby. It is Saru that has to ensure it takes place on behalf of government.
”If South Africans want a team that is representative of the country, then the minister will keep urging Saru to ensure it happens,” said Mageda.
Stofile at the weekend praised the conduct of South African rugby teams and congratulated the Springboks for their Tri-Nations victory last year, and the recent victories of the South African Under-19 and Under-21 teams.
According to a statement issued by the department at the weekend, Stofile was ”overwhelmed with joy” at the teams’ success in recent matches.
”The teams have proved beyond reasonable doubt that different opinions in the management level are secondary to commitment, passion and patriotism,” Stofile said.
Last week, Stofile accused administrators of failing to implement transformation in sporting codes, specifically rugby. He said he had looked at the Saru constitution and found it ”totally deurmekaar [confused]”.
Stofile said then it is clear that ”corporate giants” and sponsors are the ones calling the shots in South African rugby.
This became apparent to him during negotiations with Saru when he tried to have the 14th franchise awarded to the Eastern and Southern Cape.
Saru is almost powerless, Stofile said. — Sapa