A big fuss has erupted after SuperSport rugby analyst Ashwin Willemse calmly ranted and and walked off set, accusing Naas Botha and Nick Mallett of patronising behaviour… basically indicating that they were acting racially incorrectly and he was the victum.
This incident happened after the Emirates Lions vs Brumbies game, during discussion in the SuperSport 1 studio after the match…
The initial LIVE BROADCAST only showed Ashwin Willemse’s calm rant, accusations and him walking off the SuperSport 1 set, however video footage has surfaced, showing not only the initial LIVE reaction by Ashwin Willemse and him walking off set, but WHAT WENT BEFORE as well.
Here have a look at all of it…
Now, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the Willemse rant is out of context, irresponsible and scandalous, to say the least!
I absolutely fail to see, understand or comprehend how Ashwin Willemse could have construed what went before as in way to be NEGATIVE, PATRONISING or WRONG and I suspect that this was not a spur-of-the-moment rant by Willemse, but rather a cleverly and actively planned action by him… for some form of political or social gain.
Look for yourself, make up your own mind, my opinion is my own!
Whatever the situation, this incident is not good for South Africa, South African rugby or rugby in general and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
The SuperSport 1 studio panel presenter, Motshidisi Mohono handled the Willemse incident with poise, calmness and very professionally and must be lauded for her actions.
Initial reports in the media said the following: In sensational scenes on Saturday evening, SuperSport analyst Ashwin Willemse has walked off set following an apparent disagreement with fellow presenters Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.
The incident happened following the Lions’ 42 / 24 win over the Brumbies in Johannesburg.
While it’s not clear what led to Willemse’s obvious unhappiness, the former Lions and Springbok wing spoke of being labelled a “quota player” and refused to be “patronised by two individuals who played in an apartheid / segregated era”.
Willemse went on to say he “can’t work with people who undermine other people” and that he was “glad it happened on live TV so that people can see”.
SuperSport host Motshidisi Mohono called the incident “unfortunate” as Willemse put down his papers and walked off camera.
In a matter of minutes the video clip went viral on social media.
Willemse, 36, played for the Springboks between 2003 and 2007, scoring five tries in 19 appearances.
In 2003 he was named SA Rugby Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year at the end of that season – despite only turning 22 a few months earlier.
What is even worse, is that this incident is now spiralling out of control, with the South African Minister of Sport and Recreation, Toko Xasa, calling for the heads of Mallett and Botha, without any regard to the incident as a whole, in it’s full context!
SuperSport and DSTV / Multichoice has said that the matter will be investigated fully.
Respectfully, I think Ashwin Willemse and Toko Xasa both earn RED CARDS for their scandalous actions!
