COSATU Western Cape condemns Rugby Advertising Campaign

4 September 2015

COSATU Western Cape is astounded by the SARU advertising campaign that costs millions of rand, which is unfolding on our TV and media now.

This advertising campaign is typical SARU arrogance, creating the impression that nothing is wrong in rugby, by wasting money on gimmicks to try and fool the nation, whilst we have clearly said there is a crisis. This is clearly a white advertising campaign, which ignores the cries of the black side of Rugby.

If SARU wants to bolster the image of the Rugby game in SA and SARU itself, they should start addressing the problems that gave rise to the outburst across the country now;

- Instead of taking some silly grass to the World Cup, why don’t SARU advertise how it is going to plant grass at black clubs and black schools;

- Instead of showing pictures of the black players in the squad, tell SA who is going to be starting the first game for Springboks at the World CUP;

- Instead of drowning the media with the white side of Rugby and the ‘new era’ of sport, also show us the black sport before 1992;

- When old Springbok captains give a view on rugby it does not make it right; because they never stood up against oppression and exclusion of black people and they still try to defend the white players in the team.

Stop trying to give the Country some false sanitised version of Rugby in the hope that those demanding equality in sport will go away. In fact, fire those white advertising companies who are part of milking the money out of Rugby, leaving nothing left for development, while they peddle the lie that everything is alright.

If the Country is to get behind the Rugby team, as we want to, then get real and tell the SA story. Don’t perpetuate the lie that has seen a few make millions from the sport, whilst the majority are deprived.

Start by cleaning up Rugby by:

- suspending the CEO who has serious charges pending against him;

- putting out an advert for a new coach after the Rugby World Cup;

- and sending the black leadership from Sacos back to the townships so they can be reminded about what they were meant to do in Rugby;

- Finally put out an advert that says that this fight is not about getting black quota players into the team.

This fight is about putting the better black and white players into the team who deserve to be there instead of these old injured crocks players; and about investing the money into real development and opportunities for all.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape, September 4 2015