The organisers of the Webb Ellis Cup Parade neglected to recognise the significant contribution of Nelson Mandela Bay, a prominent city renowned for its vibrant rugby culture and steadfast dedication to promoting inclusivity and transformation to the sport.
By Tshawe lama Tshawe
The Nelson Mandela Bay, known for its significant rugby heritage and its role in driving transformation within the sport, was excluded from the series of events where the Webb Ellis Cup, triumphantly secured four times by the Springboks, was paraded before enthusiastic crowds in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape.
Fascinatingly enough, the captain of the Bok ship is Siya Kolisi, who hails from Nelson Mandela Bay. Alongside him are Rassie Erasmus, the director of rugby, and Mzwandile Stick, the assistant coach, who also proudly call this city their home.
Mark Alexander, president of the SA Rugby Union (Saru), dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves throughout the country during a grand media extravaganza to welcome the Boks at the magnificent OR Tambo International Airport. He told the media that the much-anticipated cup parade in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro would take place in 2024.
The decision announced by Alexander to exclude Nelson Mandela Bay from the celebrations was so infuriating that Gift Ngqondi, spokesperson for the ANC Eastern Cape, could not conceal his anger.
“We view this as a snub for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, especially when looking at the role we have played in the transformation of rugby in South Africa.
“This reflects the leadership squabble SARU has with the Eastern Cape ruby leadership.
“How do you take a tour to Johannesburg, Soweto and Tshwane – areas which are in the same place when one looks at the radius in kilometres and exclude Nelson Mandela?
“You ignore Nelson Mandela Bay which has a rich history – these being the politics of Saru and nothing else.
“For the past three to four years, there has not been any test match involving the Springboks in Gqeberha – due to squabbles between Saru and the Eastern Cape Rugby Union leadership.
“We do not welcome the decision by the SA Rugby Union not to take the cup celebration to Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We have a captain of the Boks, director of rugby, assistant coach and part of the technical team, all coming from Gqeberha.”
Addressing the Boks’s first media briefing after the team’s touchdown from France, Kolisi said the victory was for the people of South Africa.
“This was not about us as players, this victory was for every South African and we showed what is possible with this diverse team,” maintained Kolisi.
The Webb Ellis Cup, he said, was “for the people experiencing hard circumstances – those in Zwide, Goodwood and Malmesbury, all other communities and townships,” he added.
“We may not be able to change people’s circumstances, but we can give hope, we can inspire people,” he said.
Considering that Port Elizabeth has a rich history in black rugby – revered for its role in championing years of non-racialism in the sport, Alexander’s announcement has drawn disappointment from people in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Greater Nelson Mandela Bay and Grahamstown used to be the home of black rugby, with the sport being the only dominant.
It is in this part of the Eastern Cape, where the likes of Diksie Mokoena, Desmond Kramer, Dan Qeqe, Eric Majola, Simon Sokutu, Dumile Kondile, Norman Xhoxho, Sinkie Mdlankomo, Peter Mkata, Themba Ludwaba, Jimmy Nomo, George Mashiqana, Skhumbuzo Oliphant, Phakamile Lubambo, Timoty Nkonki, Mbulelo Matomela, Bomza Nkohla, Allister Coetzee, Peter Slabert; Dannie Gerber; Harold Wilson and others, made their mark in rugby.
At the height of apartheid repression, it was not only about playing rugby, but pushing the campaign: “No normal sport in an abnormal society.”
It became a campaign, which drew the support of the Watsons, Sir Peter Hain and later forming part of the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
The struggle for rugby transformation was spearheaded in Gqeberha, where the first non-racial team of the Kwazakhele Rugby Union won the coveted SA Cup at the Dan Qeqe Stadium in Veeplaas – not far from where Kolisi was born.
That team comprised Valence Watson, Cheeky Watson, Barry Eksteen; Mike Ryne, Richard Philander, Byron Harn, and Gavin van Eck – among others.
In a dusty township of Zwide, Dan Qeqe was the only stadium built through sweat and blood by the masses of the people during the dark days of apartheid.
At the time, the Bantu Administration Board was used to suppress non-racial rugby by denying Kwaru a permit to play in other municipal stadiums.
Bringing the Webb Ellis Cup to parade through Gqeberha, would have go down as a tribute to legendary founding rugby administrators Silas Nkanunu, Makhenkesi Stofile, Mono Badela and Mike Stofile.
But for now, this part of the World will have to wait its turn while the rest of South Africa gets to see the Springboks and the coveted Webb Ellis Cup in person.