DEDICATION
5.1 Introduction
5.6.4 Quota system and transformation
Sport in the country is in the process of transformation, and to address inequalities in sport, the quota system was introduced. Implementation of the quota system brought with it many differing viewpoints; those of the learners in this study bring to light how learners in post-apartheid South Africa perceive implementation of the quota system.
For Yamka, being a white netball player has proven to her that if you are white you actually do not have a chance of making the team (Y14). These strong sentiments resulted in her striving to prove to all that if you are the best you should be in the team (Y17). Through sheer determination and after years of perseverance, she made the
152 provincial team. She has witnessed how players who did not have the basic skills for netball (Y16) were selected for the provincial teams as a result of the quota system. It made her a keen critic of the system, and she learnt to become critical of other players, comparing them and seeing for herself who are the best players in the team. More often than not, she concluded that being the best becomes relative in light of the colour issues.
She also has a realistic approach as what to expect when on tournament: We are not here for five star luxuries and with our Government we are not going to get all this type of things (Y6). (Because of poor organisation of the netball tournament in question, when the learners arrived in another province no provision had been made for accommodation. Yamka resigned herself to the fact that one should accept this, while other learners showed distress at not having been provided with accommodation.)
Chayton, a white cricket player, is of the opinion that people of colour have progressed probably due to the quota system (C10). For him the quota system has had a part to play in transformation, allowing those learners who had been disadvantaged a chance to prove their talent. He is confident that the country is slowly progressing into greater heights (C12). Chayton believes that the country has a lot to offer and that things are slowly changing for the better.
Players of colour who are advantaged by the quota system are themselves strongly opposed to the quota system: I do not think it is fair (No11). Nonthando has seen how white players have been left out of the team to make way for players selected as a result of the quota system. Nkosi, a black soccer player believes that selection of players should be based on merit and it should not be about colour (Nk10). There are also those learners who feel that because they are not white, they are in the team as a result of the quota system: there is a part of me that always reminds me that maybe I am just being selected on the quota system (Dr8). Although Drea has made it into the U21 South African team, she cannot help but wonder if she was selected because of the quota system.
Tholethu is of the firm belief that despite stark disparities, I think our country has a lot of talent (Tho7). Learners have the potential to excel in sport. Many sportspersons who do excel in their code of sport leave the country to obtain expert training and coaching.
153 Daryl sees nothing wrong with that, because at the end of the day you are representing SA and not like going over to America and staying there and swimming for them (Da6).
In this theme the learners from different socio-economic backgrounds experienced sport differently. While some were endowed with, good schools, no financial woes, the best resources and individualised coaching, for others sport placed a huge financial strain on their family. However, learners created opportunities for themselves to make their dreams possible.
The diversity in the provincial teams has provided the learners with an opportunity to experience differing cultures and languages. Being forced into the township to play soccer, learners were exposed to the African culture and embraced it with lasting friendships being forged. The learners became acutely aware of the life of the disadvantaged learner, and showing concern and compassion for them.
There seems to be a greater degree of racial tension in team sports than in individual sports. White players in soccer and netball found it difficult to make the team due to the quota policy, and experienced the harshness of people who believed they should not be in these traditionally black codes of sport. On the other hand, players of colour in sports such as hockey, rugby, swimming and cricket felt racial tension as people saw them as
‘quota players’ and not players selected on merit. However, players in the volleyball team did not experience racial tension, as the team is made up of predominately Indian, coloured and black players.
The learners who experienced racism used it to their advantage, in that they became more determined to prove themselves and eventually make the provincial team.
Learners viewed the quota system as an unfair way in which to select players for provincial teams. They firmly believed that the selection for the team should be on merit. For a few, the quota system is seen as an opportunity for players of colour to progress and become valued members of provincial team.
154 Sports transformation has created unique settings, and this is evident in the organisation and administration of the various codes of sport. Changes brought about as a result of transformation are viewed in a positive light, and learners are optimistic about the future of the country. Team sport dynamics bring with them a certain degree of unity despite the diversity of the KZN teams. The learners are positive amidst the differences they have to deal with, and manage issues of differences to their advantage.