CSA launch Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Board of Directors has noted the latest developments in the country, with the Black Lives Matter (#BLM) campaign lead taken by Proteas fast bowler Lungisani Ngidi (pictured).

This triggered many allegations of racial discrimination in cricket from former Cricket Players like Makhaya Ntini and others.

The national outcry by cricket fans, the greater South African public and broad stakeholder groups could not be ignored. The Transformation Committee of the Board developed a sustainable response strategy, under its Project: Cricket for Social Justice and Nation Building (SJN).

It will address the following:

• The establishment the Office of the Transformation Ombudsman, whose core function will include the management of the independent complaints system, convene a National SJN Imbizo and provide assurance regarding the extent to which transformation programmes are impactful on society, amongst others.
• Engage in the healing, restoration and uniting process of cricket players, fans, and the nation, starting with the disgruntled former players.
• Formation of The Restoration Fund – to deal with opportunity cost due to discrimination
• Promote and intensify Diversity, Belonging and Inclusivity (DIBS) program implementation

On the 22nd July the CSA Board wrote to both the Minister of Sport and the Portfolio Committee Chair about the Board response Strategy.

The plan is that the Ombudsman will be appointed by the end of August 2020. Independent Director and Transformation Chair, Dr Eugenia Kula-Ameyaw, will lead the process of ensuring that the SJN process maintains integrity. In the forthcoming days, engagements will commence with the major stakeholders, starting with the former players.

CSA Board Chair Mr Chris Nenzani commented: “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. 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.”

CSA Acting CEO Dr Jacques Faul added: “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,” he concluded.

John Stephenson

john@cricketinvestor.co.uk

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