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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume Number 39, Issue 5. March 29 [1976]

Political Football

Political Football

You — And the Importance of Sporting Contacts with South Africa

On the 19 of June the All Blacks are scheduled to leave on their South African tour.

We're just going to play football', they cry. If only it could be that simple.

The whole issue of contact between New Zealand and South Africa is complex, fraught with contradiction.

There are those who believe that it is possible to interact with others on a single level, with no reason or need to consider any other form of involvement. Many of the supporters of the tour are proponents of this argument. These people adopt another catch cry 'keep politics out of sport', maintaining that in the context of the rugby tour it is irrelevant to talk about apartheid and the political consequences which may or may not arise.

Another group rejects the idea that it is possible to maintain only one form of involvement but feels that contact on all levels can only be positive anyway. They believe that we set an example to South Africans - exhbit our multi-racial society at their doorstep, then they will see the error of their ways and throw apartheid out the same door.

First Argument Examined

Let us examine the first argument. Is it reasonable to suggest that you can interact with South Africans on the sports field and have no affect on them politically? I don t believe it is. Sport and politics are integral parts of society in both countries. In South Africa the politicians decide who shall play with whom, where they shall play and what they shall play, all according to race Only the whites can represent their country as Springboks.

Thus sport is politically controlled.

In New Zealand, the Government decides whether or not we will play with South Africa. The present National Government has decided that we will play - again a political decision.

New Zealanders have played with South Africans for years, and at no time has there been any doubt as to that country's (South Africa's) selection policies. The present Minister of Sport, Dr Koornhof, has said, 'In no circumstances will mixed sport be permitted in South Africa at club, provincial or national level. Mixed trials are superfluous and will not be held now or in the future'. That is plain enough. When playing with South Africa we have gone along with the political situation here.

Apartheid Dictation

Until 1967 we allowed apartheid politics to dictate our own selection policies. They said no Maoris and New Zealand agreed Even now a Maori is considered an honorary white in South Africa.

This suggests to me that South Africans must by now believe that New Zealand supports their political stand. Living in a country where the government regulates all aspects of life, they can be forgiven for believing that NZ's government is not similar. After all, the National Government in New Zealand supports contact with South Africa. If it did not approve of the situation why would it do that? How else would a South African think? What a vote of confidence for his policies.

The other mainstream of reasoning which supports continued contacts is, in reality closely connected to the first. People of this view openly admit the interaction of politics, and sport which the proponents of the first argument refuse to accept.

Require Own Solutions

Can the political effects of the situation be positive? Will South Africa follow our example? I think it very unlikely. They believe their situation is unique and requires its own solutions. The White South African does not have to see other societies to know his is different. He knows what New Zealand has and does not accept it.

If South Africa is to change it will have to be told so - you do not change someone by agreeing with him or by going along with his ways. The White South African must learn that only when he rejects Apartheid will people accept him, and only then will they play sport with him.

Think about it. Consider your own stand and try to reconcile continued sporting contacts with opposition to Apartheid. In my opinion it can't be done.

Mike Freeman