Politics and sport
Sir: May I suggest more constructive ac- tion for those genuinely concerned with race relations in South Africa than anti-Springbok demonstrations or banning the South African cricketers?
In the Valley of a Thousand Hills, the genius of Mr T. Mazimbuko (the son of a Zulu chief), who has developed trench corn. posting of great value on eroded hillsides, is linked with that of Dr Halley Stott, a nutri- tion expert. Together they have developed better vegetable growing, breeding Tilapia fish for high grade protein, a hospital, a mill, a shop and many other activities of far greater importance than the work of the late Dr Albert Schweitzer, because they are not paternalism but partnership between black and white, unique in South Africa.
This enterprise depends on private charity, and is at present appealing for £50,000 to expand its work. If everyone who was going to see the Springboks, to watch or to demon- strate, or who wishes to protest against the protesters, would send British postal orders for the cost of their tickets to The Valley Trust, PO Box 33, Bothas Hill, Natal, South Africa, this would have a far greater effect on South African public opinion than the activities of a minority who care neither for rugby nor better race relations.
Lawrence D. Hills 20 Convent Lane, Bocking, Braintree, Essex Sir: Although cricket bores me stiff and I have never seen a rugby game in my life. I am delighted that the pAcc has decided to go ahead with the South African tour.
Firstly, the moral issue. Those who are most active in their anti-apartheid protest
usually condone far worse oppression — the mass-starvations of children in Biafra, the murder of nuns in China, the mass-murder,
by the Vietcong, the total lack of freedom
in communist countries and so on — than anything which happens in South Africa.
However much one may deplore 'racialism',
the attitude of those who demonstrate against South African entertainers is a far greater moral evil than 'racialism' because it is based entirely on hypocritical, self- righteous conceit. I cannot conceive that the moral concern expressed by such anti- apartheid demonstrators as Lord Soper, David Steel and other leading lights in the anti-South African campaign is in any way genuine: I may be wrong, and I will make a public apology when these people demon- strate against Communism or the atrocities which they know take place in emergent Africa, with the same vehemence they novi reserve for apartheid. Secondly, there is a simple issue — have these protesters the right, even supposing their sentiments to be sincere, to give or withhold permission for those who disagree with them from watching a game of rugby or cricket? They are quite entitled to cam: paign, and organise for support in their campaign, without inconveniencing those who do not wish to partake in their activities, However, it is estimated that the cost of police protection of the games from demon- strators will be high. I will therefore P ten pounds to the first sports club whi institutes a fund in order to defray the of police, etc, which will be required if the South African cricket tour is to be a success. Donald M. Bowers University Union, Park Place, Edinburgh
Previous page
