Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula has noted the conclusion of the investigation on Matthew Theunissen by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Following Mbalula’s release of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on Transformation in sport, Theunissen reacted by posting racist remarks on Facebook. His remarks sparked public outrage when screenshots of his post went viral.
Responding to concerns raised by the public, Mbalula thanked all South Africans who are fully aware of the inequalities that exist in sport and the need for transformation.
The SAHRC recommended that Theunissen do sport community service and conduct an academic research on transformation in sport.
Considerate to the SAHRC constitutional limits and principles of pursuing restorative rather than punitive justice sanctions, Mbalula accepts and trusts the recommendations will be implemented fully.
“The racist remarks made by Mr. Theunissen were ignorant and insulting to black people who continue to face many forms of racial exclusion. It was important then that a chapter 9 institution like the South African Human Rights Commission investigates this matter.
"The restorative measures the commission has recommended should serve as a teaching moment to racist people who believe some sporting codes are an exclusive right of one race against the other. We will continue working with our fellow compatriots, black and white, to transform sport. Racism slows our transformation agenda and has no space in our society,” Mbalula said.
