Cosatu wades in on quota issue

 

Congress of SA Trade Unions provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich has come forward with a statement backing the view of South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins on the quota debate.

 

"Cosatu in the Western Cape has been requested by some of the black players to speak on behalf of their particular interests," Ehrenreich said in his statement.

 

"The players' unions clearly represent the majority of white players and speak mainly in the interest of these white players."

 

He said Cosatu's broader view was also to support quotas in all sporting codes.

 

"Cosatu calls for more representivity in all sporting codes, including more whites in soccer, as the national teams must represent the demographics of the whole country."

 

On Monday Hoskins sent a message to Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer about having a greater representation of blacks in the national team.

 

Hoskins said he personally delivered the message to Meyer, and the two agreed that the time was right for transformation at the highest level.

 

Civil rights organisation AfriForum said it would submit an official complaint to the International Rugby Board against SARU's proposed quota system.

 

AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said IRB rules prohibited racial discrimination and political interference in rugby.

 

Ehrenreich said Cosatu rejected AfriForum's view as that of a racist cabal trying to defend the generational advantage of white players.

 

"The discussions on quotas were delayed because the administrators have allowed coaches to make decisions outside of the national interest," Ehrenreich said.

 

"This must stop, as the majority of South Africans demand more representative teams, in spite of cosy deals between black and white sports administrators."

 

"The political leadership should also be more decisive in enforcing quotas in sporting codes."