This Needs To Stop

STOP THIS NONSENSE! Misstating and poorly representing the truth through selected video editing and misquoted statements in order to punt a specific agenda is unacceptable, inflammatory and at the end of the day nothing short of deceitful and a lie.

What am I on about?

When some divisive individual tried to create a racial situation of something that was nothing from the word go. Yes, I am referring to the so called Frans Steyn shoo off of Makazole Mapimpi after the final whistle sounded between South Africa and Italy on Friday in their Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool B fixture.

We can’t tolerate racism in our rugby squad, see for yourself 🏉🏉🏉😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/HylkXnaE67

— KE SHARP (@danielmarven) October 4, 2019

The video went viral late Friday evening in South Africa and by Saturday morning all hell broke loose with people throwing racial slurs at the Springboks and Frans Steyn in particular. This was when I decided enough is enough and sought out the support of former Springbok Thando Manana via Twitter,  asking him not to support the spread of this video, being of the impression he would know better than to believe a video conveniently cut to promote the point of view and not played through to its full conclusion.

Its about feeling that you part of a team and also you are part of something REALLY matters #Mapimpi Unfortunately J, You will not tell me how to say or how to air my views. Lets get that straight once & for all. I support an all inclusive 🇿🇦 team, I seek No validation from you😷

— ThandoManana (@TandoManana) October 5, 2019

The reaction I got from Mr Manana, a man I well and truly respected is somewhat of concern.

What followed was a barrage of verbal abuse from what is known as #BlackTwitter, which included name calling and profound language. Despite the barrage, I refused to “poke the bear” as I am more than aware of the consequences this could bring about, particularly when engaging with #BlackTwitter.

Despite the full video following from @Oom_Rugby (providing all the details), there remained doubt and distrust.  With all the facts laid bare on the table …the doubters remain. The stirrers continued to inflame a situation that doesn’t exist in this team… Not helpful South Africa!

guys i will ike to present most ridiculous analysis video ever done..
(almost more ridiculous than “Kriel refuse to stand next to a black player during anthem”)

Did Steyn reject and taunt Makazole?

i look at it on HD the whole way through and answer is a very clear no : / pic.twitter.com/bgrDFtBe2a

— Oom Rugby (@Oom_Rugby) October 5, 2019

Only once one of the two men involved in this racial storm came forward by posting a video explaining what had happened and that people need to stop spreading incorrect stories that are untrue, could I start breathing again.

pic.twitter.com/nVa2Aiq5dQ

— Mluleki Ntsabo® (@ntsabomluleki) October 5, 2019

TRANSLATION: ‘We have players who we call the “bomb squad”, who generally come off the bench in the second half or whatever time in the game. They have their own calls and their own spirit as the bomb squad.

‘Basically what happens after each game is that we shake hands with the opposition. As we were completing the handshakes, the bomb squad was coming together to do their call or chant.

‘As I was walking towards them I realised that they were about to do their call, and that I wasn’t part of it, so I decided that I needed to move away.

‘I wasn’t part of it, but there was nothing wrong there with what they were doing – we are united as a team.’

Following this, all the adverse statements from people representing  #BlackTwitter stopped their verbal attacks and abuse. The worst of it all was that they then turned on the one who poured cold water on their hateful words.

Just some of the responses to his video. Some not believing him, most saying he was forced to say this. Now I didnt understand the whole explanation but it seems he was denying any racial aspect there pic.twitter.com/aJJitc6A4a

— Pieter van Rensburg (@pietmeis1234) October 5, 2019

Even Coach Rassie Erasmus weighed in…

So there have been a lot of unanswered questions, false accusations and misinterpretations following the “incident” involving Makazole and Frans. Here Rassie sets the record straight.

Now let’s show that #wegotubokke because we really are #stronger together 🙏🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/TYCI1SoH9D

— The Official MTN Bozza (@Official_Bozza) October 6, 2019

Sadly, it was only after Mapimpi’s video had surfaced that fellow supporters of the Boks got on the bandwagon to lash out at the perpetrators and their false accusations.

This brings me to 2 points I would like to address:

1. Why does it take a turn of events before fellow honest and loyal South Africans start to back each other? Why can’t we stand together and shut this so called #BlackTwitter up from the word go. They never base their attacks on facts, yet people are so scared of them and rather choose to remain quiet, because “why waste your breath on stupidity” and “it is pointless” are things I have been told. I know not everyone on social media wants controversy but if someone is blatantly lying or causing division then we need to firstly look out for one another and secondly stand together.
2. If we want the Springboks to do well then how can we have agendas that are negative towards the team and country? How can we expect this country to be a better place for all when certain disgruntled groups in South Africa only aspire to cause a clear divide between races, cultures etc?
   

   With this I can assure all in South Africa that our Springbok team is a proud UNITED TEAM.
   Sorry to see how a video clip divided a nation once again by biggest keyboard warriors, potato couch sitters in South Africa#Springboks #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/gNBYVo7Chq

   — ConservativeOne (@AntiAABEE) October 6, 2019

   Lastly I would like to share the following tweet from someone who I have a lot of respect for, a true ambassador for sport in South Africa, someone that understands the landscape and someone who puts his country ahead of himself, Xola Ntshinga! This needs to be shared far and wide and we all need to look in the mirror and be accountable for our actions.

   Make sure to open this tweet and read the whole thread…

   I‘ve never waded into online political waters. I’m saddened and disappointed at this rage around Jesse correctly standing next to his Centre partner Andre Esterhuizen. This has ALWAYS been the case. Can we just calm down, learn the game, before entering the victim Olympics.

   — Xola Ntshinga (@XolaNtshinga) October 6, 2019

   This needs to STOP South Africa! We need to become one and support everything and everyone as if we are family!

   STOP IT TODAY!