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The Sharks deserve lasting credit for becoming one of the truly transformed teams in South African sport, he writes. CRAIG LEWIS.
Sharks ‘see color’. At a time when many are still wary of talking about transformation, which remains a highly divisive topic in some circles, the Durban-based franchise has turned the conversation around.
Rather than run away from the subject, sharks have sought to create a culture of open communication. But more than that, actions clearly speak louder than words.
Last Saturday, nine colored players were selected in the starting eleven to play against the Griquas, another four were on the bench.
It has been a family-friendly team composition throughout 2020 and reflects merit-based selections, but is also the result of a clear understanding of inclusion and diversity spearheaded by CEO Eduard Coetzee, and embraced by management and players. .
Not long ago, Coetzee, in fact, completed a transformation thesis for his Ph.D. in leadership studies, to the point of producing a 286-page, 90,000-word document.
To say that you know a little about the complex subject is an understatement.
In an interview earlier this year, she also shed light on what it means to “see color.”
‘It is not a campaign, it is a movement. Campaigns have a beginning and an end. “I see color” is a declaration of intent. It’s the way we see the world and how we treat each other. ”
‘In South Africa, we are fortunate to have such a diverse community. We have this rainbow nation where everyone has color. And he’s just celebrating that, he’s celebrating our diversity and not trying to say we’re all the same. ‘
This is not a public relations exercise for the Sharks, and a transformed and successful team is paving a positive path forward in this particular and all-important department.
I recently spoke with Aphelele Fassi about the move and what it meant to him as a player of color.
‘I think it says we don’t differentiate between who is white and who is black. We are all the same; We all buy one thing and we all see ourselves as the same. Like one, basically. When I got involved in that campaign, it was a revelation, how we treat each other as one. Like I said, it felt like that campaign covered everything that we’re trying to build at Sharks. ‘
As Fassi says, it is revealing. It is an issue that players want to be able to openly address.
For example, and in a national context, the transparency policy towards the transformation of Rassie Erasmus was also one of the most compelling reminders to emerge from the first episode of the documentary ‘Chasing the Sun’.
ALSO READ: The transparency of Rassie’s transformation is a good reminder
“Our strategic objective for the team was quite clear: victory, transformation, depth and team experience,” shared the South African rugby manager.
“The first stage was the transformation, we said,” Guys, we’re going to win but we’re going to fix the transformation. “Now I’m talking about black players on the field and black management in the administration, let’s fix that. to talk openly about it. People like to talk in the media about it, but the people who are really affected by it don’t talk about it. ‘
The legendary beast Mtawarira called the transformation ‘the great elephant in the room’ that no one wanted to talk about until Erasmus intervened.
It was also a sentiment echoed by Siya Kolisi, who revealed one of his biggest struggles as a ‘black Springbok rugby player’.
‘There were times when [in the past] where I felt like I was only on the team because of the color of my skin and I hated it. The words that call you, a “fee”. I worked very hard all my life and gave my life to South African rugby and South Africa. That’s why I stay here, but then there are people who insult you like that. ‘
It has been a slow process of change in South African rugby, but progress is being made, not in all professional teams, and certainly not enough in some school circles either.
But sharks have embraced transformation. They ‘see color’, and it should be celebrated!
Photo: Steve Haag / Gallo Images
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