Tony Ehrenreich

Tony Ehrenreich

AfriForum has accused Tony Ehrenreich, Secretary of Cosatu in the Western Cape, of being an opportunist, using South African rugby on the eve of the Rugby World Cup as political playball in an attempt to promote his own race-obsessed agenda.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, is of the view that Ehrenreich – if he is serious about the development of rugby’s player base among all communities – should rather find the fault in the failure of the governing alliance – of which he is part – in promoting sport in dysfunctional schools.

“Teachers play a key role in developing sport at school level. The failure of the governing alliance to enable the effective functioning of 80% of the country’s schools has directly resulted in little sport development taking place in schools,” Kriel said.

Kriel added that it’s reckless of Ehrenreich to put the Springbok team – who are experiencing tough times at the moment – under more pressure.

“Ehrenreich’s conduct indicates that he is willing to jeopardise rugby’s welfare in order to gain publicity for himself.”

3 Responses to Springbok race row – AfriForum hits out at Cosatu’s Ehrenreich

  • 1

    I would not be surprised at all if Cosatu has totally fabricated the story about the complaing players.

    I see on some articles players like Trevor Nyakane declaring that he doubts that players went and complained…

    Then there is SARPA (South African Rugby Players Association), who basically is the Trade Union for SA Rugby players… and they too refute the claims… here’s what they say:

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    It has been questioned if these players actually exist or if they are just ‘phantom figures’ in an opportune moment to score political points.

    Nyaniso Sam, a SARPA spokesman, said “no players” have approached them to complain about transformation or any other issues in the team.

    SARPA and MyPlayers, the players’ own union, have representation on the South African Rugby Union board – in the form of Louis von Zeuner, who is the players union’s Chairman.

    “If our players have any complaints about any issues, this [SARPA/MyPlayers] is the organisation for them to come to – we are, after all, their union,” Sam said.

    Sam said they will wait for COSATU to come forward with the names of the alleged players who apparently approached the trade union.

    The players’ union has had numerous “engagements” with SARU regarding their strategic transformation plan and, according to Sam, will continue to engage the national body in this regard.

    At a SARPA executive committee meeting in April this year – attended by a large number and well-represented group of players – a large part of the union’s agenda was dedicated to transformation.

    Sam confirmed that a “comprehensive presentation” was made by SARU to players on this matter.

    “This initiated constructive interaction and ultimately an understanding of SARU’s plans going forward by our members,” the SARPA spokesman said.

    He again reiterated that they have not been approached by any of their members on the matter to transformation matters.

    Despite the questions about the identity of the ‘phantom’ players, COSATU remained adamant that they have indeed been approached by both black and white players about their concern over the lack of transformation and fair play in SARU.

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    Mmmm, makes one think about the agenda of that snake, Tony Ehrenreich!

  • 2

    Ek se liewer niks…anders ban GBS my dalk ook….
    Hoekom gaan kla die spelers nie eerder by SARPU nie, dis al wat ek wil weet, dankie?

  • 3

    @ Pietman:
    Jammer, ek sien nou SARPU het hul klaar uitgespreek daaroor.

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