Cricket South Africa announces a robust, systematic approach towards dealing with racism

The Black Lives Matter(BLM) movement and the subsequent uproar across the world have brought to fore the various ways racism is rooted in our society. The gentleman’s game has not been immune to the bias either, as retired and current cricketers alike have not only alleged encounters with discrimination based on race, but also pledged their support to the BLM movement. Cricket South Africa has had the dubious distinction so far of things taking an ugly turn with controversial debates raging among its members. While current cricketers like Lungi Ngidi, backed by the captain of the Proteas, Faf Du Plessis, former cricketers Pat Symcox and Boeta Dippenaar have criticized the call. 

Cricket South Africa(CSA) has now come out with a far more diligent approach to tackling racism in the game. CSA has announced a sustainable response strategy project called Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN) via its Transforming committee. "The national outcry by cricket fans, the greater South African public, and broad stakeholder groups could not be ignored," CSA said in a statement speaking about the project. 

CSA plans on appointing an ombudsman who shall be tasked with managing complaints on the issue and will work towards uniting fans and players. Dr. Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw, the independent director and transformation chair, will be tasked with ensuring that the process of appointing the Ombudsman flows smoothly.

"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," said Dr. Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw. "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 Board chair Chris Nenzani said on the matter, ”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.

"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," he added. "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. Jacques Faul, the CSA's acting chief executive, 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.”

[ESPNCricinfo inputs]