A lack of transformation in our society emboldens racist behaviour, as Gasant Abarder found after some took umbrage at his criticism of the lack of representativity of black African players in the T20 squad that lost the World Cup final. But his message in a new #SliceofGasant column: Don’t racially abuse a guy with a column. You won’t win.
Never come out swinging for a fight without considering the consequences. It’s a hard lesson I learnt growing up in Woodstock where the streets were rough. And there are almost always consequences.
A few weeks ago, I wrote that I couldn’t wait for the Proteas to choke for taking a team to the T20 World Cup that had one black African player. It is a failure on CSA’s part and the management of that team. But as the tournament progressed my stance softened, and I found myself on Saturday willing them to win against an excellent India team.
The Proteas didn’t make it in the end despite making it close. I am not going to use the C-word but they were cruising at one point in a run chase against a stellar bowling lineup, needing something like 30 runs off 30 balls, if memory serves, with plenty of wickets in the hut. So, you can decide if that was a choke or not.
In the end, as a clever observer pointed out on social media, it was a good thing we didn’t come back with the trophy. After all, there is no cabinet yet to put the trophy in as we’re still haggling over a government of national unity. We have one now and it’s pretty bloated. A story for another day.
My column touched a raw nerve among some, who took umbrage. Also, it’s nice to know you’re being read. But the raw nerve brought out some racist tropes also focused on my faith and not even my wife was spared.
There is a saying in the business I work in. Don’t mess with someone who has access to barrels of ink and can make you notorious. In this case, I have access to the hundreds of thousands of readers of Cape {town} Etc.
After my column, a gentleman who has since apologised, managed to find my email address and referenced my wife’s race. (By the way, happy anniversary to us for celebrating 17 years of marriage on Sunday.)
I don’t know how he and another guy named Athol Smith got my email. But Athol mailed me last Thursday with the following:
‘Well, well, well Gasant. Now that the “too-white” Proteas are through to the final after disposing of the Taliban, I guess the only choking being done now is you on your pork sandwich.
AW SMITH
Springbok Cricket Supporter’
I didn’t reply. For once, I was at a loss for words.
But after our defeat, Athol wasn’t gracious. Instead, he mailed me at 8.15pm on Saturday right after we lost the final to India with this lovely message
‘Hey Gasant, you traitor. Would Babuna (sic) have been any better?
Anyway, I have cancelled that bacon and pork chop hamper I was sending you via Uber Eats.
So rather go and eat your vegetable curry or whatever you lot consume.
AW SMITH
Springbok Cricket Supporter’
I also received a few choice insults on social media by a chap named Divan Bestbier, whose jibes were so lame they’re not even worth repeating.
But here’s the thing about insults. They say more about the insulter than the person receiving the insult.
In my case, they picked the wrong target because, after three decades in the media business, I am what my ‘vegetable-curry-loving-lot’ refers to as dikvel! You can throw as many insults at me as you like but I achieved my objective: I got you to read my column.
The problem with taking an unrepresentative team to a World Cup is that it emboldens racists like Athol.
To answer, Athol, I was busy braaing halaal chicken breasts for burgers while the Proteas were bowling but I caught our full chase and was genuinely disappointed we couldn’t get over the line.
We’ve broken the hoodoo by winning a semi-final and my hope is next time we can go all the way with a team that looks like a South African team that doesn’t have seven white players.
Also, I don’t eat pork as my religion forbids it, I’m not particularly fond of vegetable curry. And the reference to Afghanistan as the Taliban and Themba Bavuma as Babuna tells me more about you and the type of person you are, Athol.
Next time, pick a fight you can win.
Also read:
I can’t wait for the lily-white Proteas to choke at the T20 World Cup
Picture: Jurie Maree / Pexels