In South Africa, common sense goes out the window when politics and sport collide. And in the Caster Semenya controversy, we have just witnessed it again.
The finger-pointing surrounding the gender row got heated at times in the last week, and detracted from her medal-winning performance.
The media were blamed, accusations of racism were bandied about, and Semenya’s homecoming sometimes took on the nature of a political rally.
ANC Youth League president Julius Malema berated the “white-controlled media” for the part they played in the affair.
“The media who wanted to plant a seed that there was something questionable regarding her gender, including those who complained to the IAAF earlier this year, are undermining all women of South Africa.
“Those radio commentators, at least we know your views, not only towards Caster, but to all of us. We know your loyalty lies in Australia,” Malema said.
Member of Parliament Winnie Madikizela-Mandela spoke out against the reporting, and even the chairperson of the Commission for Employment Equity felt moved to make pronouncement.
Referring to journalists, Madikizela-Mandela said: “We know your responsibility is to inform us, but do so patriotically without insulting one of our own. Use the freedom of press we gave you properly, because we can take it from you.”
The knee-jerk “it’s racism” response to those questioning Semenya’s gender is dangerous. These doubts, distasteful as they may be to some, don’t exist in a vacuum.
And where is Jimmy Manyi, chair of the Commission for Employment Equity, going when he says: “Because she’s black all kinds of things are coming out now. Why can’t society accept black competence?”
It needs to be pointed out that black athletes have, for a long time, dominated on the track, and the competence of black athletes in this field has long been accepted. So that argument just won’t do.
It seems that a controversial incident in South Africa causes too many of the wrong people to rush out and jump on their soapboxes.
And, in and among all this controversy, there is the small matter of South African athletes having won two gold medals at the World Athletics Championship. Anybody care about that?
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Most-read stories
August 20 to 26 2009
1. She’s a lady, man
When a well-built Maria Mutola of Mozambique, a former footballer, burst into the athletics arena in the late 1980s, her gender was immediately questioned in Europe.
2. Terror comes knocking
The Congress of the People’s interim president, Mosiuoa “Terror” Lekota, has been accused of “terrorising” the party’s provinces, allegedly as part of a campaign to cling to his position.
3. Black and white gets grey matter working
As a youngster, before I even knew who Jacob Zuma was, we used to sing that USlovo noTambo amacommander (Slovo and Tambo are commanders).
4. Semenya sex row causes outrage in SA
The decision to subject the gold medal-winning athlete Caster Semenya to sex tests over claims she is a man has provoked outrage in her village and throughout South Africa
5. SA lashes out at ‘racist’ world athletics body
South African unions and political organisations have criticised the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) following controversy around athlete Caster Semenya’s gender verification test.
6. Could Zuma do an Mbeki on Motlanthe?
When former president Thabo Mbeki was confronted with allegations of corruption concerning — then deputy — President Jacob Zuma pursuant to the trial of convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik, he felt obliged to take action against his right-hand man.
7.
SA’s Semenya grabs gold in Berlin
South African teenager Caster Semenya, whose rapid improvement has prompted officials to order a gender verification test, won the women’s world 800m title with a crushing performance on Wednesday.
8. Hlophe’s lawyer lashes out at ‘old man’ Kriegler
Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe’s lawyer lashed out at former Constitutional Court judge Johann Kriegler on Friday, calling him an “old man” who has made “disturbing comments” about his client.
9. ANC condemns Semenya gender row
The African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday anointed new 800m world champion Caster Semenya as the nation’s “golden girl” while condemning speculation on the runner’s gender.
10. Take2: Boys will be boys
So pigs do fly. Julius Malema, you rock. Spot-on comment. “Where are the white South Africans to welcome [Caster Semenya]?” Julius asked at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday.