Former Proteas throw weight behind Ngidi and Black Lives Matter
A group of 31 former Proteas and five senior coaches have expressed support to the Black Lives Matter campaign following last week's comments from South Africa seamer Lungi Ngidi.
The group includes stand-out international players Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Paul Adams, JP Duminy, Charl Langeveldt and Herschelle Gibbs.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the group said it wants Cricket South Africa (CSA) and other former players to also support the cause.
"We commend Lungi Ngidi for supporting #BlackLivesMatter – and we’d like to add our support for it too," the statement read. "We note the criticism aimed at Lungi for expressing his views – and we hope that Cricket South Africa (CSA), together with fellow cricketers – both present and past – will come out strongly in support of #BLM.
The statement lashed out at former white national cricketers who were critical of Ngidi's view.
"We note too that the most outspoken criticism directed at Ngidi has come via former players such as Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar, Rudi Steyn, Brian McMillan and others, and we urge that their views be challenged.
"We are not surprised at their comments.
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"Given South Africa’s well-known past, black cricketers have borne the brunt of subtle and overt racist behaviour for many years, including from some colleagues. Consequently, there is a need to understand how white privilege feeds into the perpetuation of these old attitudes and assumptions."
The former players added that the national cricketing body has an opportunity to face the issue head-on.
"We see this as an opportunity for CSA to be unequivocal about its position and to make sure the problem is confronted, and we also invite our fellow white cricketers to join in this move to defend human dignity."
The 36 people that signed the letter have stories about how they have been affected by racism through their careers.
"Sadly, these have often been at the hands of teammates,” they statement said.
"It is important to bring these into the open, and for CSA to support black cricketers who come forward to air their stories. Here we also include our women colleagues.
"We are determined that future generations should not have to experience the pain we have had to endure, and that no South African cricketer should be discriminated against in the future.
"We support Lungi Ngidi, we support #BLM and, in this week that we remember Nelson Mandela’s birthday, we believe that, with honesty and sincerity all-round, lingering racism in cricket and our beautiful country can be tackled once and for all – for the sake of every child and every cricketer in South Africa."
Signed by:
1 Makhaya Ntini
2 Vernon Philander
3 Ashwell Prince
4 Paul Adams
5 JP Duminy
6 Charl Langeveldt
7 Mfuneko Ngam
8 Robin Peterson
9 Aaron Phangiso
10 Justin Ontong
11 Herschelle Gibbs
12 Roger Telemachus
13 Wayne Parnell
14 Monde Zondeki
15 Omar Henry
16 Alfonso Thomas
17 Victor Mpitsang
18 Henry Davids
19 Loots Bosman
20 Henry Williams
21 Alviro Petersen
22 Thandi Tshabalala
23 Rory Kleinveldt
24 Thami Tsolekile
25. Dane Piedt
26. Garnett Kruger
27. Shafiek Abrahams
28. Lonwabo Tsotsobe
29 Eddie Leie
30. Imraan Khan
31. Ethy Mbhalati
32. Geoffrey Toyana
33 Wandile Gwavu
34. Rivash Gobind
35. Mandla Mashimbyi
36. Faiek Davids