The President of Patriotic Alliance (PA) Gayton McKenzie, has responded to remarks made by Julius Malema on Sunday where he told EFF supporters that he did not support the Springboks because they had colours and an emblem which represented and reflected the country’s pain of the Apartheid era.
Responding to the utterances of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) leader, McKenzie wrote on X social network: “We love the Springboks, we have moved on from any bad or racist connotation associated with it. This is not the time to listen to fools like Malema, let’s celebrate our boys for a hard-won victory. The Springbok name is going nowhere finish and klaar”
McKenzie went on to say that when the match official blew his final whistle during the 2023 Rugby World Cup final match – which the Springboks won – for a moment South Africans across the board knew no race, colour or past.
“That moment gave us a glimpse of what we can and should be as South Africans. We must be a forward-looking nation, we should only look at the past to be reminded as to what not to repeat,” he wrote.
South African citizens have been divided on the issue of what the men’s national rugby team name and emblem symbolises. A section of the public is in support of the mainstream media rhetoric that says we are stronger together as a nation, while another section believes that the Springboks are a representation of white supremacy and apartheid history.
Addressing the Gauteng EFF Provincial Ground Forces Forum in Johannesburg, Malema said: “That national team, we will get it a new name, and the new colours, and the new emblem which will represent our democracy.”
“I don’t support Springboks. I don’t support the emblem and the apartheid colours that the national team wears. We want the colours that represent democracy,” he reiterated.
Malema explained to his supporters that he did not have a problem with rugby as a national sport.
However, he criticized the Springboks team for allegedly visiting Johann Rupert’s private farm on Saturday while they were on a victory tour in the Western Cape.
Stronger together rubbish, go on sucking up to white supremacy and don't count me in your nonsense. At least they don't pretend; they are obvious with their racism, and you are desperately seeking their approval and inclusion. pic.twitter.com/zntlIThkec
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) November 6, 2023
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