Publications
Partners
Gloria Edwards
Johannesburg – AfriForum will press ahead with protest action against Absa on Thursday after the banking group on Wednesday morning refused to give an undertaking that it will not interfere with the racial make-up of rugby teams.
A meeting between Absa chief executive Maria Ramos and the Solidarity Movement, which includes Solidarity, AfriForum, Helping Hand and other institutions, resulted in a deadlock on Wednesday morning.
Afriforum chief executive Kallie Kriel said that the organisation’s electronic campaign against Absa had gained the support of 35 000 people within days. Of those, more than 10 000 are members of the Stop Absa page on Facebook.
Kriel expects protest letters to be addressed to “hundreds of Absa branches”.
Kriel and Solidarity deputy chief executive Dirk Hermann will hand over their complaints at Absa’s Brooklyn branch on Thursday in which they declare their intention to close their Absa accounts unless the bank undertakes not to interfere in rugby politically.
The protest action follows a declaration by Absa that the sponsor will use its power to be prescriptive about transformation in rugby.
Ramos said in an email to Absa staff that Absa has the right to prescribe to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) when it comes to transformation in rugby, particularly with regards to the Currie Cup, which has been sponsored by the bank for 25 years.
“Absa’s concern (about transformation) reflects our own values as an organisation, as well as SARU’s commitment through its agreement with us as a sponsor,” the email reads.
“The concern is expressed in the interests of our group and brand … and because we are involved in a nation-building project that requires more, it is dynamic and comprehensive. We did this because we care intensely about rugby.”
Ramos believes all South Africans should feel proud about all sporting events “so that our stadiums are filled by proud and passionate supporters, irrespective of who plays”.
Johannesburg – AfriForum will press ahead with protest action against Absa on Thursday after the banking group on Wednesday morning refused to give an undertaking that it will not interfere with the racial make-up of rugby teams.
A meeting between Absa chief executive Maria Ramos and the Solidarity Movement, which includes Solidarity, AfriForum, Helping Hand and other institutions, resulted in a deadlock on Wednesday morning.
Afriforum chief executive Kallie Kriel said that the organisation’s electronic campaign against Absa had gained the support of 35 000 people within days. Of those, more than 10 000 are members of the Stop Absa page on Facebook.
Kriel expects protest letters to be addressed to “hundreds of Absa branches”.
Kriel and Solidarity deputy chief executive Dirk Hermann will hand over their complaints at Absa’s Brooklyn branch on Thursday in which they declare their intention to close their Absa accounts unless the bank undertakes not to interfere in rugby politically.
The protest action follows a declaration by Absa that the sponsor will use its power to be prescriptive about transformation in rugby.
Ramos said in an email to Absa staff that Absa has the right to prescribe to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) when it comes to transformation in rugby, particularly with regards to the Currie Cup, which has been sponsored by the bank for 25 years.
“Absa’s concern (about transformation) reflects our own values as an organisation, as well as SARU’s commitment through its agreement with us as a sponsor,” the email reads.
“The concern is expressed in the interests of our group and brand … and because we are involved in a nation-building project that requires more, it is dynamic and comprehensive. We did this because we care intensely about rugby.”
Ramos believes all South Africans should feel proud about all sporting events “so that our stadiums are filled by proud and passionate supporters, irrespective of who plays”.
