The progress with transformation in South African cricket since unification in 1991

Transformation is one the most talked about topics within the cricket circles in South Africa and will continue to remain so until all the imbalance are addressed. Even today, more than twelve years after unity there are still worrying aspects of resistance. There exists an opinion in some clubs, schools and even corridors of white opinion, a notion that there was no past culture of cricket in previously disadvantaged communities. The transformation process, devised to regulate for speedier redress and access to higher levels of participation, is often regarded as reverse discrimination and violates the rights and diminishes opportunities for selection of players from previously advantaged communities. As time goes by more questions will be asked about the successes and failures of the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s development programmes in their quest to close the gap between black and white cricket players. The main objective of this study is to establish if the transformation agenda as outlined in the National Transformation Charter and the policies designed by the United Cricket Board has made an impact with its efforts to reshape the game and build a new national cricket culture in a new democracy. Within this study the aim is to evaluate the impact transformation has made on cricket since unification in 1991. To understand why transformation is fundamentally important to cricket an outline is given on the current status of South African sport and a brief introduction is given as to the goals and objectives of the study. The literature review gives an overall view of sport under Apartheid in South Africa, and how sport in particular contributed to culture creation and nation building. The role of sponsors and their duel purpose in the promotion of sport and seeking future business is also touched on in the literature review. The literature review also reflects on the National Transformation Charter which includes the ten thrusts. The transformation challenges faced by the United Cricket Board is included in the literature review, but one must discuss transformation taking into consideration the controversial decision by the United Cricket Board to scrap the “quota” system so early into the new democracy. This is discussed at length as it had far reaching effects on the transformation policies of the United Cricket Board and all its affiliates. Chapter three focuses on the various methods applied during the study. Given the nature of the study a qualitative approach is preferred as the intentional focus is on personal perceptions, attitudes, conceptual understandings and objectives of the research participants. A brief outline is also given in this chapter on the sampling method used, gaining access and the use of a structured questionnaire during formal interviews. Mention is also made of the documentary research, observational studies and the challenges and constraints faced during the course of the study. Chapter four highlights the views of the government on cricket transformation and also explains the United Cricket Board’s transformation perspective. The overall development plan of the United Cricket Board is discussed. This is followed by the evaluation of the successes and failures of the various development programs within cricket. The study aims to highlight the role played by the United Cricket Board and all its administrative structures as well as contributions made by the private sector in their attempts to address the imbalances of the past. The study of the cricket development with specific reference made to certain programmes that were designed to make a significant contribution to transformation is discussed and evaluated. The question concerning transformation and nation building is questioned and answered. Practical examples are given on how players benefited and failed as a result of some the programmes that were designed to give them opportunities to succeed as cricketers. The perception of parents, teachers, players and administrators relating to transformation is highlighted in this project. A short statistical summary is given in this chapter to highlight the responses to certain questions pertaining to transformation. The concluding chapter gives an account of the contributions made by the cricket development programmes as well as the failures in trying to transform the game. It gives an account of the opinions expresses by current as well as former national players on the issues surrounding transformation and the inclusion of black player in the national team. This chapter also highlights the mentality and perceptions that still exist within certain sectors of the cricket establishments. It attempts to highlight possible reasons as to why transformation has been such a contentious issue and the reasons why it will take a while before the true impact of the National Transformation Charter can be measured. It also makes mention that development is an ongoing process and the United Cricket Board together with all its stakeholder should continue to promote and encourage cricket at all levels as it is the second most popular sport in South Africa.Prof. W.M. Conradi