Cape Town – EFF president Julius Malema and member Carl Niehaus have expressed disappointment at the lack of support from white South Africans for the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, upon their return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast.
Bafana won the bronze medal, and their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport was met by scores of EFF supporters, including Malema.
Malema highlighted the contrast with the warm reception given to the Springboks after winning the Rugby World Cup.
“We must be stronger together in all sporting codes. It must not be selective and racialised… You vae a whole contingent of peole coming to receive Bafana Bafana and we can’t see hardly two white people…
“But when it comes to white sports, we are all there…, including those who have no idea about the sport,” Malema said.
“We must be stronger together in all sporting codes. It must not be selective and racialised”
EFF leader Julius Malema talks about the party’s support for #BafanaBafana and why the crowd at OR Tambo consisted mainly of its supporters. pic.twitter.com/0GnoVwgwcm
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 14, 2024
Niehaus, on the other hand, also expressed his disappointment on social media, saying that the absence of white South Africans at the airport was in stark contrast to their support for the Springboks.
He called for serious introspection among white South Africans regarding their commitment to being part of the nation.
Niehaus wrote: “I am deeply disappointed, actually disgusted, with white South Africans! When the Springbok rugby team did well, and won the Rugby World Cup, black South Africans embraced them so warmly, and in their thousands turned out to celebrate the Springboks’ victory. Now that #BafanaBafana, our National soccer team, did so well and won Bronze at #AFCON, white South Africans are GLARINGLY ABSENT in celebrating their success, and embracing our nationhood. This morning when Bafana Bafana were welcomed as they arrived back home at OR Tambo International Airport, white South Africans were NOWHERE TO BE SEEN in welcoming our national team. As far I could see I was the only South African – who happens to be white – there to join my fellow @EFFSouthAfrica
AIKONA WHITE SOUTH AFRICANS! 👎🏾
I am deeply disappointed, actually disgusted, with white South Africans!
When the Springbok rugby team did well, and won the Rugby World Cup, black South Africans embraced them so warmly, and in their thousands turned out to celebrate the… pic.twitter.com/7zvYdOfYJu
— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) February 14, 2024
“Fighters, and fellow black South Africans, to celebrate Bafana Bafana’s success, and how they made our nation proud. Honestly, white South Africans must now really make up their minds, if they want to be part of our nation. Currently the message from the majority of whites is that they do not want to be part of our nation. They must understand that such myopic, arrogant and selfcentered, conduct will have serious consequences for their future in our country. Some very serious introspection is required by white people!”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
