Calls for 'restraint' in studio walk-out
Willemse, a celebrated Springbok, dramatically removed his microphone and walked off, live on air, while being afforded an opportunity to air his opinion after the Super Rugby encounter between the Lions and Brumbies in Johannesburg at the weekend.
The dramatic scenes, caught on camera, show Willemse storm out of their studio, despite being live on air.
Willemse – who won 19 caps for the Springboks – spoke to camera regarding how he was perceived as a "quota player" during his playing days and that he refused to be 'patronised' – before dramatically walking off the set.
His grievance appeared to be directed at fellow pundits Nick Mallett and Naas Botha – who he referred to as "apartheid era" players.
The incident has elicited strong reactions, with heavy racial undertones.
The emotive responses to the incident included politicians, such as the Minister of Sport and Recreation Tokozile Xasa, who called for the immediate removal of panellists Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.
However, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, Beauty Dlulane, – in stark contrast to the minister – called for "circumspection".
In a statement released on Monday, Dlulane described the incident as "unfortunate" and called for a "speedy resolution".
SuperSport indicated that it was investigating the matter.
"The incident is concerning and should be addressed speedily, as it has invoked much emotion. We condemn racism in sport in all its manifestations, as it has the potential to polarise society," Dlulane said.
"South Africans should be circumspect in commenting on this matter, and should allow the investigation to proceed and reach a conclusion. As things are, everyone is venturing an opinion about a matter on which we lack details."
On Sunday Minister of Sport and Recreation, Tokozile Xasa, joined the escalating row.
"It is clear that Ashwin Willemse was referred to as a quota player by his fellow panellists, despite his many successes in the field of play," a statement attributed to the minister's office said.
"I call upon SuperSport to suspend the two panellists while they are busy with the full investigation.
"The continued appearance of Mallet and Botha will be seen as an endorsement of their alleged racist behaviour."
Several statements have been issued on the subject – here are some:
STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT AND RECREATION, MS BEAUTY DLULANE.
Statement issued on behalf of Minister of Sport and Recreation Tokozile Xasa
"This behaviour of entitlement by some white South Africans who continue to think that their whiteness represents better must come to an end, if it was not for a barbaric nonsensical apartheid system that privileged them we could not have implemented quota system to normalize an otherwise abnormal system.
"Willemse is not just a former Springbok player but in 2003 he was named SA Rugby Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and the Player’s Player of the Year. Players like Willemse, (Bryan) Habana and (Siya) Kolisi continue to make us proud as a nation and affirm that they are not token players or quota players.
"The Department of Sport & Recreation through its transformation charter that was adopted in 2011 noted that quota system has been largely unsuccessful in bringing about an effectively transformed sports system and is causing substantial consequential damage for many black players who were labelled as ‘tokens’, and referred to as mere replacement of white face with a black face.
"It is clear that Ashwin Willemse was referred as a quota player by his fellow panellists despite his many successes in the field of play, I call upon SuperSport to suspend the two panellists while they are busy with the full investigation.
"The continued appearance of Mallet and Botha will be seen as an endorsement of their alleged racist behaviour."
SuperSport media release – Ashwin Willemse
