SACA and CSA firmly behind Lungi Ngidi over racism comments

Lungi Ngidi has found support in the form of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) in his controversy over the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Former South African cricketers Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, and Rudi Steyn had criticized Ngidi after the fast bowler had said during a press conference that the South African team will join the rest of a world in taking a stance with the BLM movement. 

SACA CEO Andrew Breetzke was firmly behind Ngidi and said that it was the latter’s “right to express” his support for the movement. "At SACA, we support the concept of the athlete activist. "Ultimately, individual activism translates to collective activism and it can lead to institutional change. We support Lungi in exercising his right to express his support for the BLM movement and we believe the unfair criticism directed at him undermines that right,” said Breetzke.

South Africa spinner who has also previously plied his trade in RCB colors, Tabraiz Shamsi spoke out in support of his South African teammate Lungi Ngidi. Shamsi took to twitter to show his support, and opined that Ngidi said “Nothing wrong.”

@NgidiLungi I am right behind you boy!

You said NOTHING wrong!

Black, white or brown... NO ONE should be treated with hatred, cruelty or differently based on their skin colour#BlackLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter ❤#Peace ✌#LungiNgidi

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 9, 2020

Cricket South Africa (CSA) was also quick to throw their weight behind Ngidi. "Black Lives Matter. It is as simple as that," said CSA's acting CEO, Jacques Faul. "As a national sporting body representing more than 56 million South Africans and with the privileged position of owning a platform as large as we do, it is of vital importance that we use our voice to educate and listen to others on topics involving all forms of discrimination.”

CSA is looking at the 3TC game scheduled serendipitously for the 18th of July, the birth anniversary of the foremost crusader in the fight against racial discrimination, Nelson Mandela, to further the cause. ”During our celebrations of Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July, CSA will further spread the message of anti-racism through the BLM campaign while we also speak out against all forms of violence and in particular, the scourge that is Gender-Based Violence and various other causes that are of importance to our society and the organization,” Faul added.

CSA will be using the 3TC game to propagate other messages as well, including the campaign against gender violence and voice their support for gender equality. "We're going to use the 18th to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela. "We want to embrace the message of non-racism through the BLM campaign. We are also going to use the day to raise awareness around GBV. It's wonderful to see Mignon (du Preez) as one of the coaches to promote gender equality,” said Jack Faul.

[ESPNCricinfo inputs]