CSA launch ‘Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building’

Cricket South Africa are the first sporting federation to take steps towards answering the call from Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa to transform the structures of their sport.

CSA have launched an initiative called Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building which aims to address resistance to transformation as well as establishing an independent complaints process for victims of racial abuse.

Response to sluggish transformation

The governing body are also responding to calls from former players and fans to address racism in cricket.

“The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Board of Directors has noted the latest developments in the country, with the Black Lives Matter (#BLM) campaign lead taken by Proteas fast bowler Lungisani Ngidi,” A CSA announcement proclaims.

“This triggered many allegations of racial discrimination in cricket from former Cricket Players like Makhaya Ntini and others.

“The national outcry by cricket fans, the greater South African public and broad stakeholder groups could not be ignored. 

“The Transformation Committee of the Board developed a sustainable response strategy, under its Project: Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN).”

Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building

According to CSA this new project will address:

• The establishment the Office of the Transformation Ombudsman, whose core function will include the management of the independent complaints system, convene a National SJN Imbizo and provide assurance regarding the extent to which transformation programmes are impactful on society, amongst others.
• Engage in the healing, restoration and uniting process of cricket players, fans, and the nation, starting with the disgruntled former players.
• Formation of The Restoration Fund – to deal with opportunity cost due to discrimination
• Promote and intensify Diversity, Belonging and Inclusivity (DIBS) program implementation

CSA say they have written to both the Minister of Sport and the Portfolio Committee Chair about the project.

The body has committed to appointing a Transformation Ombudsman by the end of August 2020.

Independent Director and Transformation Chair, Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw, has been tasked with ensuring that the SJN process maintains integrity.

In the coming days CSA will commence engagements with the major stakeholders, starting with the former players.

CSA board comments

CSA Board Chair Mr Chris Nenzani commented: “We are sorry that our cricket players had to endure the emotional hardships that they did; subjugated by their peers along racial lines under our new democracy that enjoined us to embrace reconciliation and inclusivity. SJN is the first-of-its-kind project meant to rid cricket of apartheid racial discrimination. This is the very important project that all stakeholders must make sure it succeeds for the future sustainability of cricket.”

He went on to say, “the fortunes of cricket, its players, stakeholders, and fans are not going to be held to ransom by the wayward few who definitely have no place within our ranks. We are determined to pull out all stops to ensure that healing takes place for those who have been wronged, and that perpetrators are exposed, sanctioned, and isolated.”

Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw added her voice and said: “Transformation needs to happen in our lifetime and as the Board we need to fully deliver on that mandate. Having heard what our ex-players shared, my focus as the Transformation Chair was to come up with a solution, hence the Cricket SJN concept. I am grateful that the Board supports this initiative. The office of the Transformation Ombudsman is a solid brick that we can use as a foundation to deal with racism and discrimination in Cricket.”

CSA Acting CEO Dr Jacques Faul added: “It has been a very challenging time for Cricket South Africa, and we have to acknowledge that what we have heard was not easy to digest. However, I am also encouraged by our plan to address this. We will need the buy-in from all our stakeholders to ensure a racism free future at Cricket South Africa.

“We commit that never again shall we be found wanting and will consolidate our efforts to assure an inclusive cricket environment, free of any discrimination, racism or any other ill that negate the gains of the democracy that we fought so hard for,” he concluded.