I guess this is what you get when you treat people like **** for decades. What goes around comes around...
That's not very nice is it? I'm not one to get into an argument like this, especially when statements like these come from people overseas that know nothing about what happens here apart from their media. Unfortunately, the statement is true in a sense. My generation, and all future generations of this country have to deal with repercussions that are in place because of our forefathers. I have had close friends and family slaughtered in racist crimes, and have to endure many unfair circumstances pertaining to work and general rights because of the color of my skin.
It's sad, but there is not much we can do about it. If you ask me, and i will give you an honest answer here, i don't think there will ever be common ground among races. It just doesn't work. Regardless of the many saints and 'peace figures' such as Nelson Mandela, or whoever else, it takes almost no effort for the hate to rear it's head in this country. What frustrates us most, is that it's not our fault, but rather the fault of the government and Afrikaner extremists of the 60's through to the 90's. But, like i have said, there is NOTHING wee can do about it, as this country will forever be a place ruled by the majority.
What happened in the past was wrong, but to a large extent, built what this country is today. Our great cities, minerals, infrastructure and GDP are a direct result of what the immigrants set out to achieve. When Europeans landed here, there were no cities, roads, or discovery of raw materials. What most people fail to realize, is that the white people of South Africa are the reason the country is what it is today. Unfortunately, instead of work together with the natives, in order to build what i think would have been one of the greatest nations on the planet, they put forth a system of 'apartheid'. I do not, in one instance, blame any of the black majority for feeling the way they do about us, because the way they were treated was appalling, and ruined any hopes we had of being 'united'.
I for one hate seeing politics in sport, but one or two dodgy selections will not make me go into a fit, because we are still World Champions, and are easily in the Top 3 rugby playing countries on the planet. It's very frustrating sometimes, but considering the turmoil we have experienced in the past, i think our rugby has done a fine job of continuing our tradition as the Springboks.
One thing i will ask though, is that none of you start a debate on our current 'political' position. Especially the members that know nothing of what is happening here, and don't have the slightest idea of what has happened regarding racism in the post-apartheid era. All it does is create arguments, and things are going to be said that will be regretted.
Rugbywriter, in my opinion, is merely voicing his frustrations at the rest of the world, so that his opinion on the matter can be heard. It happens with almost all new members. They join up, and immediately bombard the forums with every opinion they have on any matter regarding rugby and it's problems. I think calling our coach a racist is ridiculous. Go and read John Smit's autobiography, and you will quickly change your views on what kind of a person PdV really is. Nobody will ever be 100% happy with any Springbok side, and slamming him to no end is not going to solve anything. We are a dominant rugby playing nation, and we will continue to be, as long as we remember that through all of the ups and downs, we are South Africans, and will try our best to make everyone proud. I don't give a crap if our soccer team only has one white player in it. I still grasp my chest and sing as loudly as i can when that anthem plays and the camera pans over black faces who's names i cannot even pronounce.
Some of us have made peace with everything that happens day in and day out, whether it's crime, politics, or sport. I will always love this place like no other. Blemishes and all. Not everything that happens everyone agrees with, and even though i think Zane Kirchner is a horrible rugby player, i will swallow my pride and cheer if he has a moment that wins a game for us. We will never get over the color issue as a country, but once you accept it, rather than endlessly bemoan it, you will find things a lot easier to deal with!
Ok, i'm done.
, I know Zuma only did like 4 years of school, but the ANC can appoint a car guard as their president and he'll still get voted in. What I mainly meant to point out was that it is not whites who are causing the current issues. It is, like you say, the ANC.
